Pallet types
Export pallet: what international shipments require
Reviewed
An export pallet is any pallet used for international shipment. If it contains solid wood it must be ISPM 15 treated (usually heat treated, code HT) and marked; beyond that it should suit the destination's standard footprint, such as 1200 x 800 or 1200 x 1000 mm in Europe or 1100 x 1100 mm in parts of Asia.
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What makes a pallet an export pallet?
There is no single export pallet design. An export pallet is defined by what international shipping demands of it:
- Phytosanitary compliance. Solid-wood pallets must be treated and marked under ISPM 15. See heat-treated pallets.
- A footprint that works at the destination. Racks, trucks and retailers abroad are built around local sizes.
- Durability for the trip. Longer handling chains and container transit are harder on pallets.
- Moisture control. Wet wood in a sealed container promotes mold.
Standard footprints by region
| Region | Common size | Page |
|---|---|---|
| North America | 48 x 40 in | 48 x 40 |
| Europe | 1200 x 800 mm (EUR/EPAL 1) | 1200 x 800 |
| Europe, Asia, UK | 1200 x 1000 mm | 1200 x 1000 |
| Europe retail | 800 x 600 mm | 800 x 600 |
| Australia | 1165 x 1165 mm | 1165 x 1165 |
| Japan, Korea | 1100 x 1100 mm | 1100 x 1100 |
All of these except 800 x 600 are in the ISO 6780 list of six footprints (1067 x 1067 mm is the sixth). Shipping a US 48 x 40 abroad is normal for one-way freight, but a customer who stores goods in European racks may ask for 1200 x 800 or 1200 x 1000.
How an export pallet is built
Construction follows the load; the export-specific items are:
| Item | Requirement or practice |
|---|---|
| Treatment | ISPM 15: HT (56 °C core for 30 min), DH, MB or SF; wood debarked |
| Mark | IPPC symbol, country code, producer number, treatment code, on at least two opposite sides |
| Moisture | Often kiln dried. Costco requires MC under 19% for containerized shipments |
| Mold | Mold-inhibitor treatment is common for green pallets in humid or containerized shipping |
| Construction | Block pallets are common for European and CP flows; stringer pallets for one-way |
When to use a wood export pallet
- One-way international freight where a heat-treated wood pallet is the cheapest compliant option.
- Heavy or odd-sized loads that need a custom pallet or skid, such as machinery.
- Destinations where EPAL or CP wood designs are expected.
When to consider a non-wood alternative
Plastic, metal, paper and presswood pallets are exempt from ISPM 15, and a slip sheet removes the pallet entirely: slip sheets let a container carry roughly 12 to 15% more product. palletdesign.ai designs only wood pallets, so for these routes it is a reference for comparison.
| Heat-treated wood | Plastic | Presswood | Paper | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISPM 15 | Treatment and mark required | Exempt | Exempt | Exempt |
| Custom sizes | Yes | Mostly catalog | Catalog only | Yes |
| Rackable | By design | Rackable models only | No | Some, light loads |
How to specify an export pallet
- Destination country and whether the pallet will return.
- Footprint: domestic or destination standard.
- ISPM 15 method and mark locations; certificate or letter of compliance if needed.
- Moisture target (e.g. KD 19%) and mold treatment.
- Construction, lumber and fasteners.
- Load, stacking in transit and handling at the destination.
See export shipping for industry practice and the ISPM 15 mark glossary entry.
Questions
- Do export pallets need to be heat treated?
- Solid-wood export pallets need ISPM 15 treatment and marking, and heat treatment (HT) is the usual method. Plastic, metal, paper and presswood pallets are exempt.
- What size pallet should I use for export to Europe?
- 1200 x 800 mm (EUR/EPAL 1) or 1200 x 1000 mm are the European standards. A 48 x 40 is often accepted for one-way freight; ask the consignee.
- Do pallets shipped from Canada to the US need heat treatment?
- Costco's pallet policy notes HT is not required at the Canada to US border but is required from Mexico to the US. Check current rules for your lane.