A pallet is a flat transport platform used to stack, store, protect, and move goods with a forklift, pallet jack, or warehouse handling equipment. In logistics, pallets make freight easier to load, unload, count, store, and transport as a single unit. They are commonly made from wood, plastic, or metal and come in standard sizes depending on the country, industry, or carrier. Proper palletising helps reduce damage, improve warehouse efficiency, and support safer cargo handling.
A pallet is a flat wooden, plastic, or metal platform used as a base for stacking, storing, and moving goods in a warehouse or during transport. Standard pallet sizes vary by region, with the 48×40 inch GMA pallet being most common in the U.S. and the Euro pallet (1200x800mm) standard in Europe.
- Enables forklift and pallet jack handling of stacked goods
- Standard U.S. GMA pallet: 48 x 40 inches
- Euro pallet (EUR/EPAL): 1200 x 800 mm
- Pallets must comply with ISPM 15 heat treatment requirements for international shipments
For related logistics context, see glossary entries on Forklift, Warehousing Services, LTL, and CFS.
