Table of Contents
Reviewed and updated by ICD - Week 30/2026
The most common base footprint in Vietnam is 610 x 420 mm - compatible with a 1200 x 1000 mm pallet at 6 crates per layer. Crate height runs from 100 mm (1-tac shallow tray) to 510 mm (220 L lidded crate), classified by “tac” (T) or rib count. Volume formula: L x W x H (cm) / 1,000 = litres; actual usable volume is 85-90% of the theoretical figure. ICD Vietnam stocks over 200 plastic crate models covering every size from small parts trays to 220 L containers.
Two standard size systems used in Vietnam
Industrial plastic crates in Vietnam follow two main size systems.
The first is the 610 x 420 mm base - the most widely used standard, accounting for over 70% of the market, compatible with a 1200 x 1000 mm pallet.
The second is the EU (European Standard) system - bases of 600 x 400 mm, 400 x 300 mm, and 300 x 200 mm - common in European FDI factories in Vietnam, compatible with EUR 1200 x 800 mm pallets.
Choosing the wrong system wastes pallet space. For example, placing 610 x 420 mm crates on a EUR 1200 x 800 mm pallet fits only 4 crates per layer with gaps on both sides, while EU 600 x 400 mm crates fill the same pallet with zero wasted space.
Full size lookup table
Vietnamese standard series (610 x 420 mm base)
| Name | L x W x H (mm) | Volume (litres) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1T (2-rib) | 610 x 420 x 100 | ~20 | Solid / Open |
| 1T5 | 610 x 420 x 150 | ~30 | Solid / Open |
| 1T9 (4-rib) | 610 x 420 x 190 | ~40 | Solid / Open |
| 2T5 | 610 x 420 x 250 | ~55 | Solid / Open |
| 3T1 (6-rib) | 610 x 420 x 310 | ~70 | Solid / Open |
| 3T9 (8-rib) | 610 x 420 x 390 | ~90 | Solid / Open |
Wheeled crate series
| Name | L x W x H (mm) | Volume (litres) | Wheels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-wheel crate | 780 x 500 x 430 | ~130 | 5 wheels |
| 8-wheel crate | 850 x 630 x 553 | ~230 | 8 wheels |
| Jumbo basket | 1186 x 886 x 668 | ~500 | 26 wheels |
EU (European Standard) series
| Code | L x W x H (mm) | Volume (litres) | Pallet compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU 300-147 | 300 x 200 x 147 | ~6 | 1200 x 800 (20 crates) |
| EU 400-230 | 400 x 300 x 230 | ~20 | 1200 x 800 (10 crates) |
| EU 600-230 | 600 x 400 x 230 | ~42 | 1200 x 800 (4 crates) |
| EU 600-280 | 600 x 400 x 280 | ~52 | 1200 x 800 (4 crates) |
| EU 800-230 | 800 x 600 x 230 | ~85 | 1200 x 800 (2 crates) |
Lidded crates - large volume
| Volume | L x W x H (mm) | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| 10 L | 335 x 230 x 175 | Rectangular |
| 15 L | 340 x 260 x 230 | Square |
| 30 L | 450 x 340 x 260 | Rectangular / Square |
| 55 L | 570 x 380 x 375 | Square |
| 90 L | 650 x 460 x 380 | Rectangular |
| 120 L | 730 x 530 x 410 | Rectangular |
| 140 L | 740 x 550 x 420 | Square |
| 220 L | 790 x 610 x 510 | Square |
Parts trays (tapered front)
| Code | L x W x H (mm) | Volume (litres) |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | 235 x 150 x 81 | ~2 |
| A5 | 198 x 135 x 90 | ~1.5 |
| A6 | 238 x 152 x 124 | ~3 |
| A8 | 354 x 210 x 143 | ~7 |
| A9 | 482 x 308 x 178 | ~18 |
How to calculate plastic crate volume
Theoretical volume uses a simple formula: L (cm) x W (cm) x H (cm) = cm3, then divide by 1,000 to get litres. Example: a 610 x 420 x 310 mm crate = 61 x 42 x 31 = 79,422 cm3 / 1,000 = approximately 79 litres.
Actual usable volume is always 10-15% less than the theoretical figure because the base has reinforcing ribs, corners are rounded, and walls are 3-5 mm thick. This means the 610 x 420 x 310 mm crate holds about 65-70 litres of goods in practice - consistent with the approximately 70 L figure in the table above. When calculating how many crates you need for a warehouse, always use the actual volume (85-90% of theoretical) to avoid running short.
How to choose the right size for your application
Selecting the right crate size requires balancing three factors at the same time: the goods inside, the existing racking and pallets, and the operating workflow.
- By goods type: Small parts (screws, chips, buttons) need A4-A8 parts trays or shallow solid 1T-1T5 crates. Medium semi-finished goods (auto parts, garments) suit 1T9-2T5 crates. Bulky items (roll fabric, large raw materials) need 3T1-3T9 crates or lidded containers from 55 L upward.
- By racking and pallet: Measure the rack bay width (typically 600 mm or 800 mm) and the pallet size in use. The 610 x 420 mm crate suits a 1200 x 1000 mm pallet. EU 600 x 400 mm crates suit a EUR 1200 x 800 mm pallet. Never buy crates wider than the rack bay - this is an obvious rule but a mistake seen at no fewer than five businesses every year.
- By operating workflow: If workers carry crates by hand, the combined weight of crate plus contents should not exceed 15-20 kg - corresponding to small or medium crate sizes. For push carts or wheeled baskets, larger sizes are practical. When using pallet trucks, only pallet area optimisation matters; weight is no longer a constraint.
Related articles
| What is a plastic crate? Types and selection guide 2026 | Industrial plastic crate price list | Plastic crates - full product category |
Frequently asked questions about plastic crate dimensions
1. What do 1T, 2T, and 3T mean in Vietnamese plastic crate names?
“T” stands for “tac” (1 tac = 100 mm = 10 cm). A 1T crate is 100 mm tall, a 2T5 is 250 mm, and a 3T1 is 310 mm. This convention originated in southern Vietnam and is now used nationwide. In the north, crates are often described by rib count: 2 ribs is approximately 1T, 4 ribs is approximately 1T9, 6 ribs is approximately 3T1, and 8 ribs is approximately 3T9.
2. How many 610 x 420 mm crates fit on a 1200 x 1000 mm pallet?
Six crates per layer (2 rows x 3 columns). Depending on crate height and pallet load limit, stacking typically runs 4-6 layers, giving 24-36 crates per pallet. This is why 610 x 420 mm is the dominant size - it fills a standard Vietnamese pallet with zero wasted space.
3. Can plastic crates be made in a custom size?
Yes, but a minimum order quantity of 3,000-5,000 units is normally required because a new mould must be commissioned. Mould costs range from 50 to 200 million VND depending on the size, and mould production takes 30-60 days. For quantities below 3,000 units, choosing from existing standard sizes is almost always more cost-effective. Contact ICD Vietnam on hotline 0983 797 186 for specific advice.
Contact ICD Vietnam
Hotline: 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn | Zalo: Chat Zalo
