If you ship high-value goods, pallets are not “just packaging.” The pallet type you choose affects damage rates, warehouse handling, hygiene risk, carrier acceptance, export readiness and what you end up paying per shipment.
Our pallet types guide breaks down the most common pallet types, when to use each one, and what to watch for in key industries like high-value goods, food and pharma.
Pallets are flat platforms that allow goods to be lifted and moved with forklifts or pallet jacks. Standardised pallets help warehouses, trucks and handling equipment work efficiently across logistics networks.
In Europe, one of the most widely used formats is the EPAL Euro pallet, measuring 800 × 1200 mm and typically supporting loads of around 1,500 kg under standard conditions.
Using the right pallet type helps stabilise loads, reduce product damage and prevent handling issues during transport.
When choosing from the different types of pallets, the pallet’s construction material is a main factor. The material influences durability, hygiene and overall pallet costs.
Wooden pallets
Wooden pallets are the most common option in logistics. They’re widely available and easy to repair or reuse. They are also the cheapest pallets for shipping.
Many European supply chains rely on wooden Euro pallets, which are a standard format that can be exchanged between logistics partners. Because of their availability and price, they’re often considered the cheapest pallets for shipping.
There are some potential downsides to using wooden pallets in food and pharmaceutical shipping though, because of the risk of splinters, moisture or contamination. Export shipments may also need to comply with ISPM 15, which requires heat-treated wood packaging.
Plastic pallets
Plastic pallets offer higher hygiene and consistency compared to wooden pallets. They’re easy to clean and don’t absorb moisture, so there’s less risk of contamination.
This makes them common in food production and pharmaceutical logistics. Their main drawback is a higher upfront price.
Presswood pallets
Presswood pallets are made from compressed wood fibres and moulded into shape. They’re lightweight, stackable and consistent in size.
They’re often used for export shipments because the high manufacturing temperatures typically satisfy wood sanitation requirements. However, they’re usually designed for one-way transport rather than reuse.
Metal pallets
|
Pallet type |
Advantages |
Typical use |
|
Wooden pallets |
Low cost, widely available |
General logistics |
|
Plastic pallets |
Hygienic and durable |
Food and pharma |
|
Presswood pallets |
Lightweight, export-friendly |
International shipments |
|
Metal pallets |
Extremely durable |
Heavy industrial goods |
How to choose the best pallets for shipping
The best pallets for shipping depend on your products and logistics environment.
Food logistics often prioritises hygiene, making plastic pallets common in production and distribution environments.
Pharmaceutical logistics may require consistent pallet specifications to support Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards and reliable handling across sites.
High-value goods shipments often focus on load stability to prevent product damage during handling and transport.
If your company ships pallets regularly, defining a clear pallet standard can help you avoid shipping delays and handling issues across warehouses and carriers.
Price vs quality: What to consider when booking pallet services
Many businesses search for pallet prices or the cheapest pallets for shipping, but pallet prices alone rarely reflect the true shipping cost.
Cheap pallets may even wind up costing you more if they lead to product damage, rejected deliveries or additional work.
When choosing pallets, consider durability, hygiene requirements, compatibility with warehouse equipment and export compliance.
Pallet visibility: Tracking, control and loss prevention
Once your pallets are in transit, clear tracking helps your team see where shipments are and stay in control across carriers and sites.
A system that gives you full visibility into your pallet shipping also helps prevent loss. When the pallet’s shipment status and key documents are always visible in one place, you reduce disputes, improve accountability and respond faster when something goes wrong.
Book pallet shipping in minutes
If your business ships pallets regularly, a simple booking process also reduces manual coordination with carriers.
CtrlChain lets you create pallet shipments in our platform, add pickup and delivery details, generate shipping labels and track deliveries all in one place.
See how easy it is to book pallet shipping in minutes with CtrlChain.