Mục lục
- Standard Plastic Pallet Dimensions Per ISO 6780
- Height and Load Specifications - The Most Misunderstood Part
- Comparing Plastic Pallet Sizes 1200x1000mm and 1100x1100mm
- Pallet Size and Container Loading Efficiency
- 4-Step Checklist to Choose the Right Plastic Pallet Size
- 3 Common Mistakes When Choosing Plastic Pallet Specifications
- 🔥 Absolutely Avoid These 3 Points!
- Frequently Asked Questions About Plastic Pallet Dimensions
- Does Vietnam have its own national standard for plastic pallet dimensions?
- How much does a 1200x1000mm plastic pallet weigh?
- Can plastic pallets be ordered in custom sizes?
- What requirements must plastic pallets meet for export to Japan?
- How do I check whether the plastic pallets I use are the correct standard size?
- Conclusion
Standard plastic pallet sizes in Vietnam focus on two main ones: 1200x1000mm commonly used for the domestic market and EU export, and 1100x1100mm which is mandatory when exporting to Japan and Korea. Pallet height ranges from 120 to 150mm depending on the plastic type and design, with a static load of 3,000-6,000kg.
This article provides the full ISO specification table, a guide to reading load ratings correctly, a comparison of common sizes, and a checklist for choosing the right pallet for each industry.
Quick summary
- The most common standard ISO plastic pallet sizes in Vietnam: 1200x1000mm and 1100x1100mm
- Height ranges 120-150mm; static load 3,000-6,000kg - but the dynamic load is the figure that determines operating safety
- The export market determines the size: 1200x1000mm for the EU and domestic, 1100x1100mm mandatory for Japan and Korea export
- Choosing the wrong pallet size is one of the most costly mistakes in warehouse operation - detected late, with a very high fix cost
In 15 years advising on pallets and warehousing solutions, I have seen pallet size often treated as a minor decision - until it goes wrong. In 2019, an electronics business in Bac Ninh ordered 500 1200x1000mm pallets, then received a request from a Japanese partner: all had to be changed to 1100x1100mm before the first shipment. The loss was nearly VND 300 million - all over a seemingly simple spec. That was not the only such case I have seen.
The problem is not a lack of knowledge of standard sizes, but a lack of understanding of why each size exists and what context it suits.
Standard Plastic Pallet Dimensions Per ISO 6780
The international standard ISO 6780:2003 defines 6 globally recognized pallet sizes. This is the basis for parties in the international supply chain - from manufacturers and carriers to importing partners - to work together without adjusting equipment or warehouse systems. No law requires ISO sizes domestically, but for export, this is the common language you cannot ignore.
| Size (mm) | Main region of use | Common application |
|---|---|---|
| 1200 x 1000 | Europe, Southeast Asia, Vietnam | Industrial goods, EU export, the most common |
| 1200 x 800 | Europe (EUR/EPAL pallet) | Supermarkets, retail, small-packaged consumer goods |
| 1100 x 1100 | Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam | Japan export, cold storage, food, pharmaceuticals |
| 1219 x 1016 (48″x40″) | North America (GMA pallet) | US export, FMCG into US retail systems |
| 1165 x 1165 | Australia, New Zealand | Agricultural goods, Oceania market export |
| 1067 x 1067 (42″x42″) | North America, some Asian markets | Chemicals, telecom, industrial equipment |
Beyond the 6 ISO sizes above, the Vietnamese market also circulates some non-ISO sizes such as 1000x1000mm and 800x600mm - mainly used in internal warehouses with no export requirement.
About 85% of plastic pallet orders at ICD Vietnam in recent years focus on two sizes: 1200x1000mm and 1100x1100mm. The other two sizes are usually special orders to each customer’s specific requirement.
Height and Load Specifications - The Most Misunderstood Part
Most businesses, when buying pallets, only ask the footprint (length x width) and decide. Height and load specs are often ignored - and this is the source of many warehouse incidents, from warped pallets and broken feet to goods toppling during forklift transport.
| Plastic pallet type | Size (mm) | Height (mm) | Static load | Dynamic load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-way entry pallet | 1200 x 1000 | 120-135 | 4,000-6,000 kg | 1,000-1,500 kg |
| 4-way entry pallet | 1200 x 1000 | 140-150 | 3,000-5,000 kg | 1,000-1,200 kg |
| Japanese pallet (4-way) | 1100 x 1100 | 140-150 | 3,000-4,000 kg | 800-1,000 kg |
| Mini pallet | 800 x 600 | 100-120 | 1,000-1,500 kg | 500 kg |
Static load and dynamic load: two figures you must read correctly
Static load is the maximum goods weight a pallet can bear when resting still on a flat surface, not moving - for example when stored on racking or on a base sheet. Dynamic load is the maximum when a forklift is moving the pallet from one point to another. This figure is significantly lower than the static load - usually only 25-30% - because vibration and inertial force during forklift movement add force across the whole pallet structure.
The most common mistake is: loading 1,500 kg/pallet, seeing a 4,000 kg load in the catalog and assuming it is safe - but 4,000 kg is the static load, while the forklift only handles 1,000-1,200 kg dynamic. The result is exceeding the safety limit every time the forklift moves. Practical rule: the actual goods load should not exceed 80% of the pallet’s dynamic load.
How does pallet height affect warehouse design?
This is a point many businesses only realize after installing racking. A pallet 150mm tall instead of 120mm - a 30mm difference looks small, but in a warehouse with 4 rack levels, the accumulated height differs by 120mm per column. With a 6-meter ceiling, this difference can lose an entire storage level. Before deciding to buy pallets, check the pallet height against the racking layout in use or planned.
Comparing Plastic Pallet Sizes 1200x1000mm and 1100x1100mm
These two sizes have almost equal deck areas (1.20 m² vs 1.21 m²), easily leading buyers to think they are interchangeable. In reality they are not. Each size is optimized for its own logistics ecosystem - from rack size and domestic containers to foreign partners’ inbound standards.
| Criteria | 1200 x 1000 mm | 1100 x 1100 mm |
|---|---|---|
| Deck area | 1.20 m² | 1.21 m² |
| Suitable export markets | EU, Southeast Asia, global | Japan, Korea, Taiwan |
| Domestic forklift compatibility | High - both 2-way and 4-way | Medium - mainly 4-way |
| Popularity in the domestic market | High - easy to buy, rent and exchange | Lower - less common outside Japan/Korea export |
| Common industry applications | FMCG, electronics, mechanical, building materials | Food, pharmaceuticals, cold storage, electronic components |
| Reference price (2026) | VND 1,200,000 - 2,500,000/unit | VND 1,100,000 - 2,300,000/unit |
If a business has not clearly determined its export market, or is mainly selling domestically, 1200x1000mm is the safer and more flexible choice. When you later need to move into the Japanese or Korean market, you can add a separate batch of 1100x1100mm pallets without changing the entire system.
Pallet Size and Container Loading Efficiency
A rarely mentioned factor with a direct impact on shipping cost: how many of each pallet size fit in a container. The difference between 18 and 20 pallets/layer sounds small, but counted over a year with dozens of containers/month, this is a real logistics cost.
| Container type | 1200x1000mm pallet | 1100x1100mm pallet |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft container (5.9m x 2.35m floor) | 10-11 pallets/layer | 9-10 pallets/layer |
| 40ft container (12.0m x 2.35m floor) | 20 pallets/layer (2 rows x 10) | 18 pallets/layer (2 rows x 9) |
| 40ft HC container (30cm taller) | 20 pallets/layer, can stack 2 layers if goods are low | 18 pallets/layer, can stack 2 layers if goods are low |
In a 40ft container, 1200x1000mm pallets fit 20/layer versus 18 for 1100x1100mm. If a shipment needs 3 stacked layers, the difference is 6 pallets/container - meaning 6 pallets of goods must go in another container, or the container ships not full. A business exporting 10 containers/month with the wrong pallet size wastes about 5-10% of logistics cost on this.
4-Step Checklist to Choose the Right Plastic Pallet Size
Below are 4 questions that need clear answers before ordering plastic pallets. Answer all 4 and the chance of choosing correctly the first time is almost certain.
Guide to Choosing Pallet Size: 4 Decision Steps
Each major export market has its own pallet standard because its entire warehouse, forklift and racking system is ‘molded’ to that size. If unsure, ask your import-export department directly before buying.
The pallet must fit both the forklift forks (usually 680-1,200mm) and the existing rack bay. Tip: Measure the rack bay’s clear opening, then subtract a 50mm tolerance on each side so the forklift can enter and exit easily. If buying new racks, choose the pallet first!
Weigh one actual load (do not estimate). Then multiply by a safety factor of 1.5 to get the minimum dynamic load to buy. Example: 900kg goods → choose a pallet with dynamic load ≥ 1,350kg. Always base it on dynamic load!
Virgin HDPE plastic pallets cost 30-50% more than recycled plastic, but their lifespan is 3x greater (up to 8-12 years). If turnover is fast with frequent forklift impact, choose virgin HDPE to eliminate the risk of operational breakage.
3 Common Mistakes When Choosing Plastic Pallet Specifications
Most pallet-size mistakes do not come from a lack of information, but from not asking the right questions before buying. The three mistakes below account for the majority of wrong purchases seen in ICD Vietnam’s advisory practice.
🔥 Absolutely Avoid These 3 Points!
Mistake 1: Choosing size by habit, not by market requirement
Your business is used to the 1200x1000mm standard. After signing a Japan export contract, you discover you need to switch to 1100x1100mm. By then, negotiating an exception is almost always refused because they have already hard-wired their warehouse system to this flow!
Mistake 2: Not accounting for pallet height in warehouse design
A 30mm difference in pallet design height seems small, but accumulated across many rack levels it can cost you an entire storage level under the warehouse ceiling. This mistake is only discovered after installing the racking and trying to load.
Mistake 3: Looking at static load to decide operating safety
Manufacturers often inflate the static load figure of 4,000-6,000kg in the catalog. It is meaningless when a forklift is moving loaded goods at dynamic load! Exceeding the dynamic load does not break immediately, but it accumulates, causing cracked feet, warping and collapse the moment you lift the load.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plastic Pallet Dimensions
Does Vietnam have its own national standard for plastic pallet dimensions?
Currently there is no mandatory TCVN specific to plastic pallet dimensions in Vietnam. The market references the international standard ISO 6780:2003. In practice, pallet size is determined by the requirements of trade partners, the export market and the warehouse system in use - not by a mandatory state regulation.
How much does a 1200x1000mm plastic pallet weigh?
Weight depends on material and design: virgin HDPE pallets weigh 12-18 kg, recycled plastic pallets weigh 14-22 kg, and hollow plastic pallets weigh 8-12 kg. The pallet’s own weight affects total transport load, freight cost and how convenient it is for workers to move pallets manually in areas without forklifts.
Can plastic pallets be ordered in custom sizes?
Yes. ICD Vietnam produces custom-size plastic pallets for orders of 500 units or more, with a production time of 30-45 days depending on design complexity. This suits businesses with specialized automation lines or specific packaging requirements from foreign customers outside the 6 standard ISO sizes.
What requirements must plastic pallets meet for export to Japan?
The core advantage of plastic pallets for Japan export: no quarantine treatment is needed under the ISPM-15 standard (which applies to wooden pallets) because there is no risk of spreading pests. On size, the Japanese market requires 1100x1100mm. Some Japanese partners also require ISO 9001 certification from the manufacturer to ensure quality control - confirm specifically with each partner before ordering.
How do I check whether the plastic pallets I use are the correct standard size?
Use a long ruler to measure length x width x height directly and compare with the ISO 6780 table. A deviation under 5mm is normal manufacturing tolerance. If pallets in the same batch have uneven sizes, or deviate beyond 5mm, that is a sign of poor quality control from the manufacturer and you should reconsider the supplier.
Conclusion
The standard plastic pallet size is not a complex technical decision, but the consequences of choosing wrong are usually significant and often only detected too late.
Three core points to remember:
- 1200x1000mm is the most flexible choice for domestic and EU export;
- 1100x1100mm is mandatory for Japan and Korea export;
- and dynamic load - not static load - is the figure that determines real operating safety.
Before ordering, clearly confirm the export market, re-measure the forklift and racking specs, and calculate the actual goods load with a 1.5 safety factor.
The ICD Vietnam team is ready to advise free of charge to help you choose the right plastic pallet size and type for your warehouse conditions and export requirements.
- North: 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
- South: 098 6784 186
- Email: Sales@icdvietnam.com.vn
- Commitment: In stock - VAT invoices - Nationwide delivery - Free consulting
