EPAL and EUR Pallet Stamps: Euro Pallet Sizes and Markings

A Euro pallet is recognised only when it carries an EPAL or EUR stamp branded into its corner blocks. That mark certifies the load capacity, build quality and the right to exchange the pallet across the EU pooling network. This guide explains the four common EUR codes and their sizes, the ISPM 15 heat treatment (HT) stamp required for EU entry, the exact nail count of an EUR 1, and why the correct stamp keeps your shipment from being rejected at the border.

EPAL and the EUR pallet exchange system

When goods ship to Germany, France or the Netherlands, the Euro pallet becomes a mandatory standard. A pallet is accepted only when it bears the EPAL or EUR stamp on its wooden blocks. This is not a decorative symbol but a certificate of load capacity, durability and safety within the global supply chain.

The unified standard lets businesses run pallet pooling across the continent. You can deliver goods on a pallet at a warehouse in Berlin and receive equivalent pallets at a collection point in Paris, which cuts operating costs and industrial waste significantly.

Common Euro pallet size codes

Although variants exist, EPAL focuses on four main types to suit different transport needs. The table below lists the size and typical use of each code.

EUR 1 - 1200 x 800 mm

EUR 1 is the most widely used pallet in Europe. It is sized to fit the 2.4 m interior width of a standard truck: three pallets crosswise or two lengthwise fill the floor with no wasted gaps. EUR 1 carries a dynamic load of 1,500 kg and a static load up to 4,000 kg, making it durable for long circulation cycles.

EUR 2 - 1200 x 1000 mm

Known as the European industrial pallet, EUR 2 has a footprint close to the US GMA standard but follows strict EPAL specifications. It suits large packages, machinery and heavy industry that need a wider flat surface to keep the centre of gravity stable.

EUR 3 - 1000 x 1200 mm

EUR 3 shares the surface footprint of EUR 2 but differs in the approach direction for the Xilin forklift. Its deck-board layout is optimised for the automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) common in Northern Europe, allowing put-away and picking with millimetre accuracy.

EUR 6 - 800 x 600 mm

Called the half pallet, EUR 6 is ideal for retail and fast-moving consumer goods. Its compact size moves easily through narrow supermarket aisles and can sit directly on a display shelf without unloading, cutting handling labour costs.

Technical standards and ISPM 15 phytosanitary rules

The European market is strict on environmental and biosecurity matters. Every wooden pallet imported must be heat treated (HT) under the ISPM 15 standard to eliminate pests and parasitic insects. After treatment, the pallet is clearly branded with an HT stamp on its blocks.

Beyond quarantine, the physical build of a Euro pallet is precisely regulated. A standard EUR 1 must be assembled with exactly 78 nails to a fixed pattern. The corners are chamfered to reduce impact cracking, and the deck boards must be of uniform thickness so packaging is not damaged. Using a non-compliant pallet or one lacking the HT stamp can lead to the entire shipment being destroyed or returned, causing severe loss for Vietnamese exporters.

ICD Viet Nam: a solution for EU-bound exports

Meeting these complex technical standards calls for a partner with real manufacturing capacity and a deep grasp of the international rules. ICD Viet Nam Industrial Production Company Limited is a leading name in this field on the domestic market.

ICD’s strength lies in kilns built to international standards and a strict inbound timber control process. The company supplies wooden pallets meeting EUR 1 and EUR 2 specifications with high accuracy, and also advises customers on plastic pallets to European standards for food and pharmaceutical sectors that demand absolute hygiene.

Working with ICD gives your business a professional packaging solution from the factory floor. ICD products are fully compatible with European logistics systems, from seaports to automated distribution centres, helping goods flow quickly and raising the reputation of Vietnamese brands internationally. All wooden pallets carry a 2-year warranty.

Benefits of standardising pallets in the supply chain

Using the correct Euro pallet size is more than rule compliance; it is a cost optimisation strategy. When the pallet fits the transport vehicle exactly, the cost per unit of goods drops to its lowest. The high durability of a compliant pallet also reduces the risk of breakage during multimodal transport.

Investing in quality pallets from a unit like ICD is how a business signals professionalism and a commitment to quality for demanding EU partners. It is a solid foundation for building a sustainable, efficient supply chain over the long term.

Frequently asked questions about EPAL and EUR pallets

1. What is the difference between EPAL and EUR stamps?

Both certify a pallet built to the European standard. EUR is the older licensed mark; EPAL is issued by the European Pallet Association, which now governs the pooling and exchange network. A compliant pallet carries the relevant stamp branded into its corner blocks.

2. What size is an EUR 1 pallet?

The EUR 1 pallet measures 1200 x 800 mm. It is the most common Euro pallet, sized to fit the 2.4 m interior width of a standard truck, and carries a dynamic load of 1,500 kg and a static load up to 4,000 kg.

3. How many nails are in a standard EUR 1 pallet?

A standard EUR 1 must be assembled with exactly 78 nails to a fixed pattern. The nail count and pattern are part of the EPAL specification, so a pallet that deviates from it is not considered compliant.

4. What is the ISPM 15 HT stamp and why is it required?

ISPM 15 is the international phytosanitary standard for wood packaging. Pallets must be heat treated (HT) to kill pests, then branded with an HT stamp. Without it, EU customs can have the whole shipment destroyed or returned.

5. Can I exchange Euro pallets across the EU?

Yes. Because the standard is unified, EPAL pallets can be exchanged through the pooling network. You can deliver goods on a pallet in one country and receive equivalent pallets at a collection point in another, lowering operating cost and waste.

6. Which EUR code suits automated warehouses?

EUR 3 (1000 x 1200 mm) is optimised for automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) common in Northern Europe, with a deck-board layout that allows put-away and picking with millimetre accuracy.

Contact and Euro pallet quote from ICD