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What Is a Plastic Crate Called in English?

June 28, 2026 - Lê Văn Thăng

Plastic crate is the standard English term. Learn all variant names, industrial uses, and benefits. Contact ICD Vietnam: 0983 797 186.

What Is a Plastic Crate Called in English?

Reviewed and updated by ICD - Week 30/2026

A plastic crate is the standard English term for a stackable plastic container (also called a plastic bin or box) used to store and move goods in agriculture, food and logistics. Vented versions are called open or ventilated crates; closed-wall versions are solid crates or plastic containers. ICD Vietnam supplies the full range with a 2-year warranty.

Plastic crates are the standard English term used across manufacturing and logistics industries. However, depending on the specific type and intended use, each variant carries its own name. Below are key terms related to industrial plastic crates:

  • Open plastic crate - ventilated sides, commonly used in produce and food distribution
  • Solid plastic crate - closed walls for dust-sensitive or fragile goods
  • Ventilated plastic crate - maximum airflow, ideal for fresh agricultural produce
  • Solid plastic container - fully enclosed, suits dry goods and components
  • Fruit plastic crate - sized and vented for fruit harvesting and cold-chain transport
  • Cargo plastic crate - heavy-duty, designed for pallet-stacked logistics
  • Square plastic crate - uniform footprint for high-density racking
  • Rectangular plastic crate - versatile shape for mixed SKU storage
  • Round plastic crate - used in specific food processing and beverage applications

Industrial Plastic Crate Applications

Industrial plastic crates are widely used in agriculture, food processing, and logistics thanks to their flexibility, durability, and reusability. Plastic crates transport and store fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, and a wide range of manufactured goods throughout the supply chain.

Benefits of Industrial Plastic Crates

  • Durable and reusable - high-density polyethylene construction withstands repeated use in harsh warehouse environments.
  • Space-efficient - stackable design minimises floor space when storing or transporting goods.
  • Easy to move - crates fitted with castors (wheeled plastic crates) can be repositioned quickly across large distribution centres.
  • Product protection - ventilated walls promote airflow, extending shelf life for perishable goods.

Contact ICD Vietnam to Order Plastic Crates

If you need high-quality plastic crates at competitive prices, contact ICD Vietnam for detailed product advice. We supply a full range of plastic crates in multiple sizes and configurations to meet your storage and transport requirements. 2-year manufacturer warranty on all products.

Get in touch:

  • Hanoi Office and Showroom: Road 5 Extension, Dai Dong, Dai Mac, Dong Anh, Hanoi
  • Ho Chi Minh City Office and Showroom: 551/212 Zone 7, Le Van Khuong St., Hiep Thanh Ward, District 12, HCMC
  • Phone: 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 585 9186
  • Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn
  • Working hours: 08:00 - 17:00, Monday to Saturday

Plastic crate and container terminology: Vietnamese - English reference

When exporting, placing international orders or reading foreign catalogues, mistranslating a single word can make a supplier ship the wrong type of goods. The table below matches Vietnamese and English names with usage context, so you choose the right term in contracts, RFQs and customs declarations.

Vietnamese nameStandard English termUsage context
Open (perforated) plastic crateVentilated / perforated crateFruit, vegetables, seafood needing airflow; usually labelled “stackable”
Solid-wall plastic containerSolid-wall container / solid boxComponents, dust-protected goods, preventing small items from falling out
Stack-and-nest empty crateStack-nest crateNests into itself when empty, saving ~60% volume; returnable logistics
Plastic container with lidLidded tote / box with lidHigh-value goods, sealing, distribution centres (DC)
Foldable plastic crateCollapsible / foldable crateCuts return-leg freight; supermarket chains, e-commerce
Returnable transport container (KLT)KLT (Kleinladungstrager)German automotive VDA standard; fixed sizes 600×400, 400x300mm
Euro-size plastic containerEuro container / EuroBox600x400mm system matching the EUR 1200x800mm pallet; European distribution
Small parts containerBin / parts binWarehouse shelving, slots for bolts, screws, items counted per piece
Picking container (automated warehouse)ToteASRS warehouses, conveyors, single-order picking; rarely used in purchase contracts

Choosing the right English keyword when sourcing and exporting

The four words crate, container, tote and bin are not interchangeable in international trade. Picking the wrong keyword skews your B2B search results to the wrong product group, or leads suppliers to quote the wrong type of goods.

  • Crate implies mesh or open walls, used for produce and fresh food. Searching “plastic crate” returns ventilated crates.
  • Container in the plastics industry means a closed solid box, not a 20ft/40ft shipping container. Specify “plastic storage container” to avoid confusion with freight containers.
  • Tote is an in-house warehouse transfer container tied to automated systems; it rarely appears in consumer-goods export contracts.
  • Bin refers to a small slot or container holding components on shelving, not a high-volume shipping container.

The most common translation error is using “basket” (a household basket with a handle) for an industrial crate, or calling an open crate a “box” (which means a closed-wall container). When drafting an RFQ, include three specifications: material (food-grade HDPE/PP), wall type (ventilated or solid-wall) and stacking capability (stackable or stack-nest). Review the industrial plastic crates range to match the correct model name before trading.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between crate and container in English?

A crate is an open or mesh container with ventilation holes, used for produce and fresh food. A container (in the plastics industry) is a closed solid-wall box, used for dust-protected goods and components. When sourcing internationally, write “plastic storage container” so it is not confused with a 20ft freight container.

What are KLT and Euro container?

KLT (Kleinladungstrager) is a returnable plastic container following the German automotive VDA standard, with fixed sizes such as 600×400 and 400x300mm. A Euro container is a 600x400mm container system matching the EUR 1200x800mm pallet, common in European distribution. Both are standard terms you must use correctly when exporting to the EU.

Which English specifications should I list when buying export plastic crates?

List all three specifications: material (food-grade HDPE/PP), wall type (ventilated or solid-wall) and stacking capability (stackable or collapsible). ICD Vietnam supplies industrial plastic crates and containers meeting export standards, with a 2-year genuine warranty - get advice on the right type and terminology via hotline 0983 797 186.

Frequently asked questions

What is a plastic crate called in English?
The standard term is “plastic crate”. Vented types are “open/ventilated plastic crate”; closed types are “solid plastic crate” or “plastic container”.

What is the difference between a crate and a bin?
A crate usually has vented or latticed walls for airflow; a bin or container has solid closed walls for dust-sensitive goods.

What is a plastic crate with wheels called?
A “wheeled plastic crate” or “plastic crate with castors”.


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