Also known as: Standard Pallet Dimensions, ISO 6780 Pallet Sizes, Euro Pallet, GMA Pallet, Indian Pallet Size
Standard pallet sizes under ISO 6780 are 1200 × 1000 mm, 1200 × 800 mm (EUR/Euro pallet), 1219 × 1016 mm (48 × 40 in, North American GMA), 1067 × 1067 mm, 1100 × 1100 mm (Asia) and 1140 × 1140 mm (Australia). In India 1200 × 1000 mm is the default for industrial and container freight; 1200 × 800 mm is used for European exports.
The six ISO 6780 footprints exist because regions standardised separately. Europe settled on the 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet, 144 mm high and about 25 kg in wood, with 1200 × 1000 mm as its industrial companion. North America uses 48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm). Japan and much of East Asia use 1100 × 1100 mm, Australia 1140 × 1140 mm. Wooden pallets are 140–160 mm high with either two-way entry (stringer) or four-way entry (block) construction; four-way is preferred wherever hand pallet trucks work the load from the side.
Container fit decides most Indian choices. A 20 ft ISO container is about 5,898 × 2,352 mm inside and takes 10 pallets of 1200 × 1000 mm or 11 of 1200 × 800 mm; a 40 ft container at about 12,032 mm long takes 20–21 and 24–25 respectively. Neither footprint fills the 2,352 mm width completely, which is why dunnage is always needed. A 1100 × 1100 mm pallet fits two abreast with a smaller gap but wastes length, so it survives mainly in Japanese and South-East Asian supply chains.
Material matters as much as size for exporters. Solid wood pallets must be ISPM-15 heat-treated — core temperature 56 °C for 30 minutes — and stamped with the IPPC mark, or the consignment is refused, treated or destroyed at the destination port. HDPE plastic pallets are exempt, returnable and washable, and dominate pharma and food loops. Paper honeycomb, presswood and corrugated pallets are also exempt and light enough to matter for air freight. Load ratings are quoted three ways: dynamic (on a forklift), static (on the floor) and racking (on beams), and a Euro pallet's 1,500 kg dynamic rating drops to a few hundred kilograms on racks.
Carton sizes should be designed to the pallet, not the other way round. The 600 × 400 mm module is the basis: on 1200 × 1000 mm it gives 5 cartons per layer, 400 × 300 mm gives 10, 300 × 200 mm gives 20, all flush with the edge. On 1200 × 800 mm the same cartons give 4, 8 and 16. A carton of 450 × 350 mm fits neither footprint without overhang or a 20% gap, and either one costs stacking strength or wastes space in every truck it ever rides in.
Indian practice is converging on 1200 × 1000 mm. Older factories still run 1100 × 1100 mm, 48 × 48 in or purpose-built sizes, but modern-trade distribution centres, e-commerce fulfilment centres and 3PL warehouses now receive on 1200 × 1000 mm and reject overhanging loads; a 32 ft truck body at about 2.4 m internal width takes two of them side by side. For European buyers we build to 1200 × 800 mm and for US buyers to 48 × 40 in. Send us the pallet size and vehicle and we design the carton and unit load to fill it.
Pallet Sizes at a glance
| ISO 6780 sizes | 1200 × 1000, 1200 × 800, 1219 × 1016, 1067 × 1067, 1100 × 1100, 1140 × 1140 mm |
|---|---|
| India default | 1200 × 1000 mm (industrial, container, modern trade) |
| Europe | 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet, 144 mm high, about 25 kg |
| North America | 48 × 40 in (1219 × 1016 mm) GMA pallet |
| Pallet height | 140–160 mm wood; two-way or four-way entry |
| 20 ft container | 10 × (1200 × 1000) or 11 × (1200 × 800) |
| 40 ft container | 20–21 × (1200 × 1000) or 24–25 × (1200 × 800) |
| Export wood rule | ISPM-15 heat treatment (56 °C core, 30 min) and IPPC stamp |
Common questions
What is the standard pallet size in mm in India?
The common pallet size in mm in India is 1200 × 1000 mm, the ISO 6780 industrial footprint used for containers and modern trade, with 1200 × 800 mm for Europe-bound export and 1100 × 1100 mm for Japan and parts of Asia. Confirm the size with the receiving warehouse and the container internal width before fixing a carton footprint.
What is the standard pallet size in India?
There is no single mandated size, but 1200 × 1000 mm is the working standard for industrial goods, container exports and modern-trade or e-commerce distribution centres. 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallets are used for European customers and 1100 × 1100 mm survives in older plants and Japanese supply chains.
How many pallets fit in a 20 ft and 40 ft container?
A 20 ft container takes 10 pallets of 1200 × 1000 mm or 11 of 1200 × 800 mm on the floor. A 40 ft container takes 20–21 and 24–25 respectively. Double-stacking in a high-cube doubles those counts if each unit load is kept to about 1.1–1.2 m high and the bottom cartons carry the load.
What is the difference between a Euro pallet and an industrial pallet?
A Euro pallet (EUR/EPAL) is 1200 × 800 mm; an industrial pallet is 1200 × 1000 mm. The Euro size is narrower to suit European trucks and retail racks; the industrial size fits the 600 × 400 mm carton module with five cartons per layer and is the Indian default for container freight.
Do plastic pallets need ISPM-15 treatment?
No. ISPM-15 applies only to solid wood packaging. Plastic, presswood, honeycomb paper, corrugated and plywood pallets are exempt, which removes the treatment certificate and stamp from the export process. Solid wood pallets must be heat-treated to 56 °C core temperature for 30 minutes and marked with the IPPC stamp.
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