Glossary

The pallet glossary.

From pallet type to standard: the key terms from trade, logistics and law, explained briefly and quick to find.

190Terms

14Categories

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Pallet types

23 terms

Euro pallet: Standardised wooden pallet measuring 1200 × 800 mm, defined by UIC standard 435-2. The most widely used load carrier in Europe, also called the EUR or EPAL pallet.
EPAL pallet: Euro pallet from a licensed EPAL manufacturer, branded with the EPAL logo and a producer code. EPAL stands for European Pallet Association and guarantees verified quality plus exchange eligibility.
UIC pallet: Euro pallet built to the International Union of Railways standard (UIC 435-2), not necessarily carrying the EPAL brand mark. Used mainly in rail freight.
EUR pallet: A Euro pallet bearing the "EUR" brand mark. An older designation often used interchangeably with the EPAL pallet.
Industrial pallet: Wooden pallet measuring 1200 × 1000 mm, common for moving heavy machinery, raw materials and bulk goods. Not exchangeable in the Euro pallet pool.
CP pallet: Chemical Pallet — a standardised exchange pallet for the chemical industry. Nine types exist (CP1 to CP9) with differing dimensions and load ratings, governed by the CEFIC association.
CP1 pallet: CP pallet type measuring 1200 × 1000 mm with a load capacity up to 1500 kg. Widely used in the chemical industry.
CP2 pallet: CP pallet type measuring 1200 × 800 mm with a load capacity up to 1500 kg.
CP3 pallet: CP pallet type measuring 1140 × 1140 mm with a load capacity up to 1500 kg. Designed for drums and containers.
CP6 pallet: CP pallet type measuring 1200 × 1000 mm in a reinforced build for loads up to 2000 kg.
CP9 pallet: CP pallet type measuring 1140 × 1140 mm in a lighter build.
One-way pallet: A pallet designed for a single trip that is not returned afterwards. Also called a lost or non-return pallet — cheap, but less sustainable.
Reusable pallet: A pallet kept in circulation: after unloading it is returned, repaired and loaded again. Examples are the Euro pallet and the CP pallet.
Plastic pallet: Pallet made of plastic (usually HDPE or PP): hygienic, light, chemically resistant and suited to food, pharma and cleanrooms. Higher purchase cost than wood.
Wooden pallet: The most widespread pallet type, made from solid timber or laminated wood (LVL). Affordable, repairable and recyclable.
Metal pallet: Pallet made of steel or aluminium: extremely robust and suited to heavy loads and harsh environments. Expensive to buy, but long-lived.
Paper pallet: Lightweight pallet made of pressed cardboard or corrugated board, suited to light goods and air freight. Single use.
Half pallet: Pallet measuring 800 × 600 mm — half a Euro pallet. Popular in retail and for smaller deliveries.
Air pallet (ULD): A dedicated load-carrier format for air transport (Unit Load Device, ULD) with standardised dimensions under IATA rules.
Custom pallet: A pallet with bespoke dimensions or features that does not match a standard, built for specific products or industries.
Mesh box pallet: A combination of pallet and wire-mesh container that allows safe stacking of bulk goods or irregularly shaped items.
Pallet box: A large-volume container on a pallet base, usually wood, plastic or metal. Also called a pallet container.
IBC (intermediate bulk container): A large container for liquid or pasty goods, usually 1000 litres, mounted on a CP pallet. Widespread in the chemical and food sectors.

Standards & certifications

10 terms

EPAL certification: The European Pallet Association's licensing and certification system for manufacturers, repair shops and test labs. Guarantees that pallets are produced and maintained to fixed standards.
UIC 435-2: International standard from the Union Internationale des Chemins de fer defining the dimensions, materials and quality requirements of Euro pallets.
EN 13698-1: European standard for the product specification of wooden pallets, specifically the 1200 × 800 mm Euro pallet.
ISPM 15: International phytosanitary standard (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) for wood packaging. Required to export to many non-EU countries; mandates heat treatment (HT) or methyl bromide fumigation (MB).
HT (heat treatment): Heat treatment of wooden pallets under ISPM 15: a core temperature of 56 °C held for at least 30 minutes to kill pests and fungal spores.
MB fumigation (methyl bromide): Chemical pest control under ISPM 15 by fumigation with methyl bromide. Largely banned in the EU for environmental reasons, but still relevant for export goods.
DIN standard: National standard from the German Institute for Standardisation. In the pallet field it is relevant to load carriers, quality requirements and test methods.
ISO 6780: International ISO standard for flat pallets, defining base dimensions for worldwide use.
PQN sorting: Pallet Quality Network — a quality-inspection and sorting standard for used Euro pallets, classifying pallets by condition.
GS1 standard: A global system for barcodes and data exchange across the supply chain. In pallet trade it is relevant to labelling, traceability and EDI.

Quality grades & condition

13 terms

Quality grade A: Used Euro pallet in very good condition: all load-bearing parts intact, no broken boards, only EPAL-compliant repairs. The top used grade.
Quality grade B: Used Euro pallet with visible wear but structurally sound. Minor damage to deck boards or blocks is acceptable as long as load capacity is preserved.
Quality grade C: Euro pallet with significant defects — broken boards, missing nails, unstable build. In need of repair or suited for repair stock.
New: Pallets that have never been used: top quality, full exchange value, free of contamination.
Used: Pallets that have already been in circulation. Quality varies by grade (A, B, C); cheaper to buy.
Sorted quality: Used pallets sorted by manual or machine inspection. The norm at wholesalers, often labelled "sorted and maintained".
Unsorted: Pallets without prior quality control — mixed qualities and grades. Cheaper, but higher risk.
Repaired: Pallet repaired to EPAL guidelines (e.g. faulty boards replaced). May carry the EPAL brand mark if a licensed shop did the work.
Dried: Pallets dried after production or storage to reduce moisture. Important for moisture-sensitive sectors such as food or pharma.
Moisture content: The wood's moisture content as a percentage. Norm for Euro pallets: a maximum of 22 % residual moisture. High moisture promotes mould and reduces load capacity.
Brand mark: A permanent mark burned into the pallet blocks identifying the manufacturer, inspector and standard. Mandatory on EPAL pallets.
Stamping: An ink stamp or paint mark on pallets indicating owner, production date or grade.
Off-spec dimension: A pallet whose dimensions deviate from the standard, often through warping, drying or damage. Limits exchange eligibility.

Materials & construction

17 terms

Pallet timber: Sawn timber and wooden blocks used to make or repair pallets. Trade quantities are usually stated in cubic metres.Related listings
Pallet board: A board sawn to size for the top, cross or bottom layer of a wooden pallet. Length, width, thickness and any chamfer form its trade specification.Related listings
Pallet block: A load-bearing spacer between the top and bottom decks of a block pallet. It is made from solid wood or pressed chip and specified by three dimensions.Related listings
Cross board: A board beneath the deck boards that distributes the load across the pallet and joins the top deck to the blocks.Related listings
Chamfer: A bevelled board edge that helps pallet-truck rollers enter and reduces edge splintering.Related listings
Pressed-chip block: A moulded pallet block made from wood chips and binder. It provides consistent dimensions and differs in price and properties from a solid-wood block.Related listings
Solid wood: Solid timber from a single piece, typical for the blocks and load-bearing stringers of Euro pallets. Usually softwood (pine, spruce).
LVL (laminated veneer lumber): Multi-layer laminated veneer lumber, an alternative for pallet blocks — more uniform properties than solid wood, with fewer defects.
OSB (oriented strand board): An engineered wood panel of oriented strands, used as deck-board material in some pallet types.
Block: The support element of a block pallet: cubic wooden blocks joining the top and bottom decks and enabling fork access. A Euro pallet has nine blocks.Related listings
Deck board: The upper deck planks of a pallet, onto which the load is placed. Their number and width vary by pallet type.Related listings
Bottom boards: The lower planks of a pallet that rest on the floor or connect the blocks.Related listings
Stringer: The lengthwise support beam of a stringer pallet that distributes the load.
Stringer pallet: Pallet type using stringers (skids) instead of blocks as supports. Fork access from two sides only.
Block pallet: Pallet type with nine blocks as supports, accessible from four sides (forks can enter from any side). The Euro pallet is a block pallet.
HDPE (high-density polyethylene): The plastic material used for plastic pallets: resistant to chemicals, moisture and mould, and food-grade.
Softwood: Species such as pine and spruce — the most common woods in pallet building thanks to their strength and availability.

Dimensions & weights

8 terms

1200 × 800 mm: The Euro pallet's standard size. Fits truck beds exactly (three across or two lengthwise) and standard storage racks.
1200 × 1000 mm: The dimension of the industrial pallet and the CP1/CP6 types. Widely used in industry.
1140 × 1140 mm: The dimension of the CP3/CP9 types — a square format typical for chemical drums.
Tare weight: The weight of the empty pallet. Euro pallet: about 20–24 kg (wood); plastic pallet: 13–25 kg depending on type.
Static load: The maximum load on a pallet at rest (e.g. on a rack). Euro pallet: up to 4000 kg static.
Dynamic load: The maximum load when moved by forklift or pallet truck. Euro pallet: up to 1500 kg dynamic.
Stacking load: The maximum load acting on stacked pallets. Euro pallet: up to 4000 kg.
Palletising height: The total height of a loaded pallet (pallet plus goods). The standard rack height is often 1200 or 1500 mm.

Logistics & transport

22 terms

Delivery terms: The agreed terms for handing over goods — place of delivery, transfer of responsibility and costs. Governed by Incoterms.
Incoterms: International Commercial Terms — standardised clauses from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) defining delivery terms in cross-border trade.
EXW (Ex Works): Incoterm: the buyer takes the goods at the seller's premises and bears all transport and customs costs.
FCA (Free Carrier): Incoterm: the seller delivers the goods to a carrier named by the buyer; risk passes at handover.
DAP (Delivered at Place): Incoterm: the seller delivers to the agreed destination; the buyer pays the import duty.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Incoterm: the seller bears all costs to the destination including import duty. Maximum risk for the seller.
Carrier: The company or person performing the physical transport of the pallets.
Freight forwarder: A logistics provider who arranges and coordinates transport, often without operating vehicles (a freight broker).
LTL (less than truckload): Groupage freight — a shipment that does not fill a whole truck. Cost-effective for smaller pallet volumes.
FTL (full truckload): Full load — a shipment that fills an entire truck. More efficient and faster than LTL.
Articulated truck: A truck with a semi-trailer — the standard vehicle for pallet transport. Loading length about 13.6 m, capacity about 33 Euro pallets.
Swap body: A demountable truck body that can be loaded and unloaded without a tractor unit. Cuts standstill times.
Self-collection: The buyer collects the pallets from the seller in person — no delivery cost, but the buyer must organise transport.
Delivery: The seller transports the pallets to the buyer. The cost may be included in the price or charged separately.
Delivery included: The price includes all transport costs; the buyer pays no surcharge.
Express delivery: Accelerated, prioritised transport: higher cost but shorter delivery time.
Lead time: The span between order confirmation and delivery to the buyer.
Load carrier: An umbrella term for transport units such as pallets, mesh boxes and containers.
Unit load: A consolidated transport unit of pallet plus goods — the foundation of modern logistics.
Anti-slip securing: Measures that secure the load on a pallet: anti-slip mats, film wrapping, straps.
Stretch wrapping: Wrapping the pallet load in stretch film to secure it and protect it from the environment.
Packaging material: Protective packaging for pallet loads: edge protectors, cushioning and layer pads.

Storage & handling

15 terms

Pallet rack: A storage rack built specifically for pallets. Types include single rack, double rack, drive-in rack and flow rack.
High-bay warehouse: A warehouse with very tall racks (often over 12 m) where pallets are stored and retrieved by automated stacker cranes.
Floor storage: Pallets are stacked directly on the floor without racks. Simple, but space-inefficient with many SKUs.
Stacking factor: The number of pallets that can be safely stacked on top of one another — dependent on pallet type and load weight.
Forklift: An industrial truck with two forks for lifting and moving pallets. Typical capacity 1.5–5 t.
Pallet truck: A manual or electric device for moving pallets on flat ground. Also known as a pump truck.
Order picking: Assembling customer orders from the warehouse — picking individual items off pallets.
FIFO (first in, first out): A storage principle where the first goods in are the first goods out. Important for perishable goods.
LIFO (last in, first out): A storage principle where the most recently stored goods are taken out first. Common for homogeneous, durable products.
Cross-docking: A handling method that transfers goods straight from inbound to outbound trucks without interim storage.
Goods receipt: The process of receiving and checking incoming goods, including quality control of the pallets.
Goods issue: The process of picking, packing and making goods ready for shipment.
Pallet exchange: A system of exchanging Euro pallets between trading partners on a 1:1 basis. EPAL exchange rights apply only to EPAL-certified pallets.
Pallet stock: The number of pallets a company owns or manages. Important for load-carrier control.
Load-carrier account: An accounting system that records every pallet movement — receipts, issues, exchanges and losses.

Trade & market

18 terms

Pallet trade: Buying and selling used or new pallets — an important part of the circular economy in packaging.
Pallet exchange (marketplace): A marketplace, online or physical, where pallet buyers and sellers meet. palettenring.de is one such platform.
Pallet market: The totality of pallet supply and demand within a defined geographic or sectoral space.
Direct purchase: Buying directly from the supplier or manufacturer without an intermediary — cheaper prices, but more effort to find suppliers.
Wholesale: A business that buys and resells pallets in large volumes. Often offers sorting, repair and storage as add-on services.
Retail: Selling pallets in smaller quantities to end customers or small businesses.
Offer (sell listing): A sell listing stating pallet type, quantity, condition, price and location.
Demand (buy listing): A buyer's wanted listing for a specific quantity and quality of pallets.
Quantity (units): The number of pallets in an offer or demand listing. Abbreviation: pcs.
Minimum order quantity (MOQ): The smallest quantity orderable from a supplier. Often 100–500 units at wholesalers.
Order quantity: The quantity of pallets actually agreed or ordered.
Framework agreement: A long-term supply contract with fixed terms (price, quantity, quality) for recurring deliveries.
Spot market: Buying and selling pallets at current market prices for immediate delivery, as opposed to forward deals.
Commission-free trade: Direct trade without a broker fee. palettenring.de enables commission-free contact between buyers and sellers.
Buy-back: An agreement under which the seller buys the pallets back after use. Supports the circular economy.
Retention of title: A clause stating ownership of the pallets passes to the buyer only after full payment.
Supplier: A company or person that supplies pallets. May be a manufacturer, repair shop or intermediary.
Buyer / offtaker: The buyer or client who takes delivery of pallets.

Prices & terms

15 terms

Pallet price: The market price per pallet, dependent on type, quality grade, quantity and market conditions. Fluctuates seasonally and with the economy.
Price per unit: The unit price per pallet (€/pc). The basis for quote calculation.
Total price: The total amount for a delivery: price per unit × quantity plus any delivery costs.
Negotiable price: A price negotiated individually between buyer and seller. Marked as "on request" on palettenring.de.
Market price: The current price arising from supply and demand on the pallet market.
Fixed price: An unchangeable price set in the contract that cannot be renegotiated.
Net amount: The price excluding value-added tax (VAT).
Gross amount: The price including value-added tax.
Value-added tax (VAT): A consumption tax: in Germany 19 % standard, 7 % reduced. Usually the standard rate in B2B pallet trade.
Payment terms: The agreed terms of payment: advance payment, bank transfer on invoice, credit card or direct debit.
Payment due date: The period within which the invoice must be paid (e.g. net 14 days, net 30 days).
Early-payment discount: A discount for early payment (e.g. 2 % if paid within 10 days).
Down payment: A partial payment before delivery serving as security for the seller.
Transport costs: The cost of transporting pallets to the buyer, dependent on distance, quantity and vehicle type.
Freight cost calculation: Determining transport costs from weight, volume, distance and route optimisation.

Plant protection & export

7 terms

Phytosanitary certificate: An official document from the plant protection authority confirming ISPM 15 compliance. Mandatory when exporting to non-EU countries.
Wood packaging material: All wood packaging used in international trade: pallets, crates, dunnage and blocks.
Quarantine pest: A plant pest that can spread via wood packaging (e.g. the Asian longhorned beetle). ISPM 15 aims to prevent its introduction.
Export pallet: A pallet that meets ISPM 15 requirements and is suitable for export to countries outside the EU.
Import regulations: The destination country's legal requirements for importing wood packaging.
Customs clearance: The official process of inspecting and releasing goods at a border crossing.
Certificate of origin: A document evidencing the country of manufacture of the wood or pallets.

Sustainability & circular economy

8 terms

Circular economy: An economic principle keeping resources in circulation as long as possible. Used pallets are a prime example: repair, reuse, recycle.
Carbon footprint: The total greenhouse gas emissions associated with making, transporting and disposing of pallets.
FSC certification: Forest Stewardship Council — certification for sustainably managed forests. FSC wood in pallets evidences responsible logging.
PEFC certification: Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification — a forest certification system alternative to FSC.
Pallet repair: Repairing damaged pallets: replacing faulty boards, blocks or nails. Extends service life and saves resources.
Wood recycling: Recovering wooden pallets beyond repair: energy generation (biomass), chipboard production or composting.
Pallet service life: The average time a pallet is used before disposal. EPAL Euro pallets average roughly 10 trips.
Biomass: Organic material used as an energy source — waste wood from pallets can be burned as biomass.

Law & compliance

9 terms

Sales contract: A legally binding agreement between buyer and seller on quantity, quality, price and delivery terms.
Delivery note: A document accompanying a delivery, stating goods, quantity and recipient. The basis for the load-carrier account.
Invoice: A commercial document showing the goods delivered and the amount due — in B2B with VAT shown.
Statutory warranty: The seller's statutory liability for defects in delivered pallets. In Germany 2 years for consumers, usually limited by contract in B2B.
Complaint / claim: A buyer's formal complaint about a defective delivery, demanding remedy, price reduction or rescission.
Liability: Legal responsibility for damage caused by defective pallets (e.g. a collapsing load).
ADR regulations: The European agreement on the international carriage of dangerous goods by road. Relevant for CP pallets in the chemical industry.
REACH regulation: The EU chemicals regulation governing requirements for substances in materials, including pallet treatment agents.
GDPR: The General Data Protection Regulation — the EU rules protecting personal data. Relevant for online pallet marketplaces like palettenring.de.

Industry players

11 terms

Pallet manufacturer: A company that produces pallets. For EPAL pallets, a licensed manufacturer subject to regular quality audits.
Pallet repair shop: A company specialising in repairing pallets to EPAL guidelines. Must be licensed to use the EPAL brand mark.
Pallet inspector: An EPAL-certified expert who checks pallets for conformity with the EPAL standard and assigns the brand mark.
Pallet dealer: A business that buys, sorts and resells pallets wholesale. The link between manufacturers and end customers.
Pallet pool operator: A company offering pallets on a rental or leasing basis (e.g. CHEP, LPR, EURO Pool), handling maintenance, repair and return.
CHEP: The world's largest pallet pool operator, known for its blue pallets. Rental model: the pallets remain CHEP's property.
LPR (La Palette Rouge): A European pallet pool with red pallets. Rental model similar to CHEP.
EPAL (European Pallet Association): The umbrella association managing the EPAL licensing and certification system for Euro pallets. Members in over 30 countries.
CEFIC: European Chemical Industry Council — the umbrella body of Europe's chemical industry, responsible for the CP pallet standards.
Logistics provider (3PL): A third-party provider handling storage, transport and fulfilment for other companies. A major pallet buyer.
Retail sector (buyer): An industry that needs pallets in large volumes for storage and merchandising — one of the biggest sources of demand for Euro pallets.

Digitalisation & platforms

14 terms

Online pallet marketplace: A digital platform for buying and selling pallets, enabling direct contact between suppliers and buyers without intermediaries. Example: palettenring.de.
Listing: A buy or sell listing published on an online marketplace with all the relevant pallet details.
Search filter: A digital feature narrowing search results by criteria such as pallet type, condition, radius, price or logistics.
Direct contact: Communication between buyer and seller with no party in between. A core feature of palettenring.de — phone number and company details visible directly from a paid plan.
Listings platform: A digital directory where companies can place listings. palettenring.de is industry-specific to pallet trade.
GPS tracking: A satellite-based positioning system for real-time tracking of pallet deliveries on trucks.
EDI (electronic data interchange): The standardised electronic exchange of business documents (orders, delivery notes, invoices) between trading partners.
WMS (warehouse management system): Software for managing stock levels, pallet movements and picking orders.
TMS (transport management system): Software for planning, executing and optimising transport, including pallet shipments.
ERP (enterprise resource planning): An integrated enterprise software system for finance, purchasing, sales and warehousing. Also manages pallet stock and movements.
Blockchain in pallet tracking: An emerging technology for immutable logging of pallet movements across the supply chain. Increases transparency and traceability.
RFID chip: Radio Frequency Identification — a transponder in or on pallets for contactless identification and tracking.
QR code on pallets: A 2D barcode on pallet labels for quick identification by smartphone or scanner.
Artificial intelligence (AI) in pallet logistics: The use of machine learning for quality control (image recognition of defective pallets), route optimisation and demand forecasting.

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