Pallet Shipping in Europe

Ship goods on pallets across Europe — LTL, FTL, Euro pallet dimensions, carrier options and how to book pallet freight cost-effectively.

120×80 cm

Euro pallet (EUR 1)

1,500 kg

Max pallet weight (standard)

1–5 days

LTL EU transit (standard)

33 EUR pallets

FTL trailer capacity

Pallet shipping is the backbone of European B2B trade — ideal for shipments too large for parcels (over 70 kg or multiple boxes) but not filling a full truck. The EU road freight network is dense and efficient: most major European cities are within 1–3 days of each other by road pallet. Two main options: LTL (Less than Truckload — your pallet shares space with other shippers) and FTL (Full Truckload — your cargo fills the entire trailer). Most B2B pallet shipments within the EU use LTL networks via carriers like DHL Freight, UPS Freight, DB Schenker, Kuehne+Nagel, DSV and XPO Logistics.

Euro Pallet Types and Dimensions

Europe uses standardised EPAL (European Pallet Association) pallets. The most common types: EUR 1 (Euro pallet): 120 × 80 × 14.4 cm, max load 1,500 kg static, 1,000 kg dynamic. By far the most common in European logistics. EUR 2: 120 × 100 cm — used in some industrial sectors. EUR 3: 100 × 120 × 14.4 cm. Half pallet (EUR 6): 60 × 80 cm — used in retail and food distribution. Pallet height with goods stacked: maximum 220 cm (including pallet) for most LTL carriers. Maximum gross weight per pallet: 1,000–1,500 kg depending on carrier. ISPM 15: All wooden pallets shipped outside the EU (to UK, USA, Australia, Brazil, China, India etc.) must be ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped with the IPPC mark. EU-to-EU shipments do not require ISPM 15.

LTL vs FTL: Which to Choose

LTL (Less than Truckload / Groupage): • Your pallet(s) share trailer space with other shippers' cargo • Billed per pallet or per 100 kg / LDM (loading metre) • Typical transit: 1–5 days within EU depending on origin/destination • Minimum charge: typically 1 pallet or 50 kg • Best for: 1–10 pallets, regular B2B shipments, cost-sensitive freight • Carriers: DHL Freight, UPS Freight, DB Schenker, DSV, XPO Logistics, Rhenus FTL (Full Truckload): • You book the entire truck — typically a 13.6 m (mega) trailer, 33 Euro pallets, 24 tonnes payload • Priced per truck, not per pallet • Fastest option — direct, no transhipment • Best for: 15–33 pallets, time-critical freight, high-value or fragile cargo, temperature-controlled loads • Carriers: All major freight carriers + spot market brokers Breakeven: FTL becomes cost-competitive with LTL around 15–18 pallets on most EU routes.

Pallet Shipping Costs in Europe

EU pallet freight pricing depends on: weight/volume, origin and destination country, LDM (loading metres occupied), service level (standard, express, time-definite) and fuel surcharge. Indicative LTL rates (1 EUR pallet, 500 kg, standard transit): • Germany → France: €80–€140 • Germany → Spain: €120–€200 • Netherlands → Italy: €130–€220 • Portugal → Germany: €150–€280 • Poland → France: €130–€220 Express pallet (next-day or time-definite): • Germany → Netherlands: €100–€150 (next day) • France → Germany: €120–€180 (next day) FTL rates (full truck, indicative): • Germany → France: €900–€1,400 • Germany → Spain: €1,500–€2,500 • Netherlands → Italy: €1,800–€3,000 • Portugal → Germany: €2,000–€3,500 All prices vary significantly by season, carrier, volume commitment and market conditions. Fuel surcharges (typically 20–35% added) affect all freight rates.

Required Documents for EU Pallet Shipments

For intra-EU pallet shipments: • CMR (Convention on the Contract for the Carriage of Goods by Road): The standard road freight transport document — equivalent to an airway bill for road. Always required. The carrier issues the CMR; sender fills in consignor, consignee, goods description and number of pallets. • Packing list: Details of what is on each pallet. • Delivery note / commercial invoice: For B2B shipments. For EU-to-non-EU pallet shipments (UK, Switzerland, etc.): • Commercial invoice with HS codes • EUR.1 or REX origin declaration for FTA claims • Export customs declaration (MRN — Movement Reference Number) from EU customs • Import customs declaration at destination

Quick Comparison

Feature	LTL (Groupage)	FTL (Full Truck)
Best for	1–15 pallets	15–33 pallets
Pricing	Per pallet / per 100kg	Per truck
Transit speed	1–5 days (EU)	Fastest (direct)
Transhipment	Yes (depot cross-dock)	No (direct)
Fragile/high-value	Risk of handling damage	Lower handling risk
Flexibility	High (any volume)	Full truck only
Cost (15 pallets)	€1,200–€2,500	€1,500–€3,500

Expert Tips

▸Always stretch-wrap your pallet tightly from base to top — loose cargo on pallets is the #1 cause of LTL damage claims. Use at least 3 layers of stretch film and secure the film under the pallet base. Label all 4 sides of the pallet with the CMR address label.
▸Measure and weigh your pallet accurately before booking — LTL carriers use volumetric weight rules and will reweigh and re-measure on arrival. Underestimating dimensions or weight leads to surcharge invoices after delivery.
▸For regular EU B2B pallet shipping, negotiate a volume-based rate with one or two carriers — monthly pallet volumes above 20 pallets give significant negotiating power. Rates 30–50% below spot-market prices are achievable with volume contracts.
▸ISPM 15 heat-treated wooden pallets are mandatory for shipments leaving the EU to UK, USA, Australia, Brazil, China etc. Always use EPAL-stamped pallets with visible IPPC heat-treatment mark. Failure means pallet fumigation or destruction at destination at your cost.
▸For fragile or high-value cargo on pallets, consider FTL even for smaller loads — the elimination of transhipment at cross-dock hubs significantly reduces handling damage. Alternatively, use purpose-built crating for fragile items within the pallet.
▸Track your pallets using the carrier's B2B tracking portal — all major EU freight carriers (DHL Freight, DB Schenker, DSV) provide web-based consignment tracking. Set up email/SMS alerts for delivery confirmation for B2B shipments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Euro pallet and what are its dimensions?

A Euro pallet (EUR 1 / EPAL pallet) is the standard European pallet measuring 120 cm × 80 cm × 14.4 cm (height of the pallet base). It has a maximum static load of 1,500 kg and dynamic load of 1,000 kg. Euro pallets are made of heat-treated wood and carry the EPAL logo and IPPC mark. They are exchangeable — carriers collect empty pallets from delivery and return them to the sender. The EUR 1 is by far the most common pallet type in European logistics.

What is the difference between LTL and FTL pallet shipping?

LTL (Less than Truckload, also called groupage) means your pallets share trailer space with other shippers. You pay per pallet or per loading metre. Typical EU LTL transit: 1–5 days. Best for 1–15 pallets. FTL (Full Truckload) means you book an entire truck (typically 33 Euro pallets, 24 tonnes capacity). You pay per truck and get a direct, non-stop service. Faster but only economical above approximately 15 pallets. Breakeven point: FTL becomes cheaper than LTL around 15–18 pallets on most EU routes.

What documents do I need to ship a pallet within the EU?

For intra-EU pallet shipping: (1) CMR document — the standard road freight transport document, issued by the carrier, filled in by the sender with consignor/consignee details, goods description and pallet count. (2) Packing list — items per pallet. (3) Commercial invoice or delivery note for B2B. No customs documentation needed for intra-EU shipments within the 27 EU member states. For EU-to-UK or EU-to-Switzerland pallet shipping, customs export declaration (MRN) and commercial invoice with HS codes are required.

How much does pallet shipping cost in Europe?

EU LTL pallet shipping costs vary by route, weight and carrier. Indicative prices for 1 EUR pallet (500 kg, standard transit): Germany to France €80–€140; Germany to Spain €120–€200; Netherlands to Italy €130–€220; Portugal to Germany €150–€280. Express pallet services cost 40–80% more. Fuel surcharges (20–35%) are added on top of base rates. Volume contracts with carriers provide significantly lower rates than spot booking for regular shippers.

Which carriers offer LTL pallet shipping across Europe?

Major EU LTL pallet carriers: DHL Freight (strongest network, premium pricing), DB Schenker (excellent Germany/Central Europe coverage), DSV Road (strong across all EU), XPO Logistics (wide EU network), Rhenus Logistics (strong Germany/Benelux), Geodis (France-strong), SEUR/DPD Freight (Spain/Portugal strong). For smaller volumes, pallet brokers like Palletways, Pall-Ex and Fortec provide access to LTL networks via reseller rates.

Do I need ISPM 15 pallets for EU pallet shipments?

ISPM 15 heat-treated pallets are only mandatory for shipments leaving the EU to non-EU countries. For intra-EU shipments (within the 27 EU member states), standard EPAL pallets without ISPM 15 are acceptable. For EU-to-UK, EU-to-USA, EU-to-Australia, EU-to-Brazil etc.: wooden pallets must carry the IPPC mark showing heat treatment (HT) or methyl bromide fumigation (MB — though MB is being phased out). Plastic pallets don't require ISPM 15 treatment.

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