Logistics reference · 8 min read

Standard Pallet Sizes & Dimensions: The Complete Guide

Pallet size sounds like a procurement detail, but it drives almost every line item on a pallet rental invoice — from rental day-rates to transfer fees and "lost pallet" penalties. This guide covers the standard pallet sizes used in North America and globally, the materials they're built from, and how the wrong size can quietly inflate your monthly pallet bill.

The 48x40 GMA pallet — the North American standard

The most common pallet in the United States is the 48" x 40" stringer pallet, standardized by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (now the Consumer Brands Association). Roughly 30% of all new pallets produced in North America follow this footprint. It's the size CHEP, PECO, and iGPS build their pooled rental fleets around, and it's what most retailer DCs (Walmart, Kroger, Target, Costco) expect on inbound shipments.

• • Footprint: 48" x 40" (1219 mm x 1016 mm)
• • Deck height: ~6.5" (165 mm)
• • Static load: up to ~4,600 lb (2,100 kg)
• • Dynamic load: up to ~2,800 lb (1,270 kg)
• • Typical weight (wood): 33–48 lb (15–22 kg)

Other common North American sizes

ISO standard pallet sizes (global)

For international freight, ISO 6780 recognizes six standard footprints. The European EUR/EPAL 1200x800 mm pallet is the dominant size outside North America.

• • 1219 x 1016 mm (48" x 40") — North America
• • 1200 x 1000 mm — Europe, Asia
• • 1200 x 800 mm — EUR/EPAL, Europe
• • 1140 x 1140 mm — Australia
• • 1100 x 1100 mm — Asia (esp. Japan)
• • 1067 x 1067 mm (42" x 42") — North America, Europe, Asia

Pallet materials and how they affect cost

The 48x40 footprint is sold in four common material constructions, each with different rental economics and loss-penalty exposure.

• Wood (hardwood / softwood stringer or block): the most common and cheapest to replace. Stringer pallets allow 2-way forklift entry; block pallets allow 4-way. Pooled providers charge $4–8 per pallet per trip; lost-pallet fees typically run $25–60.
• Plastic (HDPE): hygienic, consistent weight, longer service life. Higher rental rate but much higher replacement fees — often $75–150 per lost pallet. iGPS is the largest plastic pooler.
• Metal (steel / aluminum): closed-loop industrial use (automotive, aerospace). Lost-pallet penalties can exceed $300.
• Presswood / corrugated: single-use export pallets. No rental cycle, no loss penalties, but no reuse value either.

Why pallet size shows up on your invoice

Pooled-pallet providers (CHEP, PECO, iGPS) bill on three axes that are all tied to size and material:

1. Issue fee — charged when a 48x40 pallet leaves the depot under your account.
2. Transfer / movement fee — charged each time the pallet changes custody.
3. Loss / non-return penalty — charged when the provider can't reconcile the pallet back to a return depot inside the SLA window.

That third line is where most overbilling happens. If the provider can't see a return scan, they assume the pallet was lost — even when your Bill of Lading proves the pallet was delivered to a participating retailer and the transfer should have been recorded automatically. We call these phantom fines, and on the average 48x40 GMA account they represent 8–14% of the monthly invoice.

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