What the markings on pallets mean
The blocks of a wooden pallet carry stamps that show who made it, to which specifications and how the wood was treated. The most common are:
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| EPAL / EUR | Euro pallet built to the specifications of the European Pallet Association, suitable for exchange. |
| IPPC (wheat ear symbol) | The wood has been treated according to the ISPM 15 standard for international trade. |
| HT | Heat Treatment of the wood. |
| MB | Methyl bromide fumigation, a method no longer used in the EU. |
| DB | Debarked: the bark has been removed from the wood. |
| Country code (e.g. GR, DE, PL) | The country where the treatment or manufacture took place. |
| Producer code | The number of the licensed manufacturer or treatment provider. |
| Month / year | When the pallet was made or repaired. |
| Repair mark | Shows that the pallet has been repaired by a licensed company. |
Standard pallet sizes
- 1200 × 800 mm: euro pallet and one-way pallet
- 1200 × 1000 mm: industrial pallet and two-way entry pallet
- 1140 × 1140 mm: reinforced and light pallet
- 1100 × 1100 mm: square pallet
- 600 × 800 mm: half pallet
- 600 × 600 mm: small pallet
How to choose a pallet
Start with the load: how heavy it is, how big it is and whether it will be stacked. Then think about the journey: whether the pallet comes back, whether it goes abroad, whether it goes into racking of a specific size. If the pallet must be exchanged, you need an EPAL euro pallet. If it leaves with the goods, a one-way pallet is more economical.
Pallets for furniture and DIY
Pallets are also used to make furniture such as tables, desks, garden sofas and shelves. For these uses, choose pallets marked HT (heat treated) and avoid those marked MB.