Author: Le Van Thang, Director of ICD Vietnam – 15 years supplying wooden and EPAL pallets to exporters.
ICD Vietnam manufactures wooden pallets in five timbers – acacia, rubber, pine, melaleuca and pressed wood – plus EPAL/EU standard pallets for European supply chains. Dynamic load runs 800-2,000 kg by timber, sizes from 800×600 mm to 1200×1000 mm. All export pallets are kiln-dried and heat-treated (HT) to ISPM-15, with the IPPC stamp and phytosanitary certificate on request. For reusable, washable or ISPM-15-exempt handling, compare plastic pallets; for low-cost one-way use see pressed wood pallets.
Choose wooden pallets when:
- Heavy or sharp loads: acacia and melaleuca carry 1,500-2,000 kg and tolerate steel, cement and machinery better than thin plastic.
- EPAL / Euro pooling: EPAL-licensed pallets are accepted across European exchange pools.
- Lowest upfront cost: a wooden pallet costs far less to buy than plastic, ideal for one-way export when you will not recover it.
1. Comparison of 5 pallet timbers
Quick rule: acacia = heaviest load and longest life; rubber = natural mould resistance for F&B; pine = light and clean for EU/US export; melaleuca = lowest cost; pressed wood = one-way internal use.
| Criterion | Acacia | Rubber | Pine | Melaleuca | Pressed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density (g/cm3) | 0.65-0.75 | 0.55-0.65 | 0.40-0.50 | 0.60-0.70 | 0.70-0.80 |
| Mechanical strength | Very good | Med-good | Good | Good | Medium |
| Natural mould resistance | Fair | Very good | Medium | Fair | Poor |
| Weight (1100×1100) | 20-25 kg | 17-22 kg | 12-17 kg | 18-23 kg | 22-28 kg |
| Warehouse life | 4-6 yrs | 3-5 yrs | 3-4 yrs | 3-5 yrs | 1-2 yrs |
| Dynamic load | 1,500-2,000 kg | 800-1,200 kg | 1,000-1,500 kg | 1,200-1,800 kg | 800-1,000 kg |
| Best for | Steel, cement, heavy | Pharma, F&B, long storage | EU/US export, light | Domestic logistics | One-way, internal |
2. EPAL / EU standard wooden pallets
For European supply chains and exchange pools, ICD supplies EPAL and EU standard pallets to licensed dimensions. All are kiln-dried and HT-stamped to ISPM-15.
| Code | Size (mm) | Dynamic/Static | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPAL EU (Euro) | 800x1200x144 | 1,500/4,500 kg | Contact for quote |
| EPAL 2 (EU) | 1200x1000x162 | 2,000/5,000 kg | Contact for quote |
| EPAL 3 (heavy duty) | 1000x1200x144 | 2,000/5,500 kg | Contact for quote |
| EPAL CP3 | 1140x1140x138 | 1,500/4,500 kg | Contact for quote |
Full CP1-CP9 and half-EU (800×600) sizes available. Surcharges apply for HT/MB treatment and ISPM-15 certificate. Contact us for a volume quote.
3. ISPM-15 by export market – what you actually need
Unlike plastic, wooden pallets carry raw timber, so every country that follows the IPPC requires ISPM-15 treatment before import: either heat treatment (HT) – core held at 56C for 30 minutes – or methyl bromide fumigation (MB), followed by the IPPC stamp showing country, producer code and treatment method.
Practical points by market: the EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and Japan all enforce ISPM-15 and increasingly reject MB in favour of HT for environmental reasons – ICD supplies HT as standard. China enforces ISPM-15 strictly with documentation checks. Within ASEAN, requirements vary, so confirm per destination. A missing or unreadable stamp can hold a shipment at the border, so order pallets pre-stamped and ask for the phytosanitary certificate with the batch. If your shipments are frequent, weigh the recurring HT cost against switching that lane to ISPM-15-exempt plastic pallets.
4. Wooden vs plastic – an honest view
Wood wins on upfront price and on heavy, sharp or one-way loads where a cheap pallet you will not recover makes sense. Plastic wins on lifespan (7-10 years vs 3-6), hygiene (washable, HACCP/GMP), cold storage and export paperwork (ISPM-15 exempt). The break-even is usually reached in year 2-3 for reusable loops, and faster for frequently fumigated export lanes. Match the choice to the trip: one-way export of heavy goods leans wood; a closed reusable loop or food handling leans plastic. Pair either with the right forklift for your load and aisle.
5. Frequently asked questions
1. Do wooden pallets need ISPM-15 for export?
Yes – all IPPC countries require HT or MB treatment plus the IPPC stamp for wood packaging. ICD supplies HT-treated, stamped pallets with a certificate on request.
2. Which timber is strongest?
Acacia – density 0.65-0.75 and dynamic load 1,500-2,000 kg, with the longest warehouse life (4-6 years). Best for steel, cement and heavy goods.
3. Which timber for food and pharma?
Rubber wood, for its natural mould resistance, after kiln drying. Confirm HT treatment and cleanliness for the specific audit.
4. What is EPAL?
EPAL is the European pallet pooling standard with licensed dimensions (EU, EPAL2, CP1-CP9) accepted across exchange pools. ICD builds to EPAL spec with ISPM-15 treatment.
5. How is wooden pallet price set?
By timber, size, treatment (HT/MB) and quantity. Prices move with the timber market, so we quote on request – contact us with size, timber and volume.
6. Related wooden pallet articles
| What Is a Pallet? Complete Guide | Block vs Stringer Pallets | GMA Pallet Standard Dimensions |
| Pressed vs Traditional Wood Pallet | Used Wooden Pallet Buying Guide | Pressed Wood Pallets |
7. Contact and wooden pallet quotes from ICD
ICD Vietnam Industrial Manufacturing Co., Ltd
Northern Vietnam: Floor 3, Thang Long A1 Building, Thon Bau, Thien Loc, Hanoi – 0983 797 186 / 090 345 9186 / 090 5859 186
Southern Vietnam: 551/212 Le Van Khuong, Tan Thoi Hiep, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City – 098 6784 186
Email: sales@icdvietnam.com.vn
Zalo: Chat on Zalo
VAT invoice – In stock – Nationwide delivery 24-48h – ISPM-15 HT treatment and certificate available
