What is the standard pallet size in China?

China's dominant pallet standard is 1200×1000 mm, defined under GB/T 2934-2007. This is a 4-way entry block pallet with a 150 mm deck height. The 1200×1000 mm footprint fits neatly into Chinese truck widths and is the default for domestic supply chains in manufacturing and retail distribution.

Is 1200×1000 mm an official national standard?

Yes. China formally standardised it as GB/T 2934-2007. India standardised a similar specification under IS 1254. Both countries recognise this footprint as the recommended pallet size for domestic freight. In practice, EUR (1200×800) pallets also circulate in China for export goods destined for Europe.

How many 1200×1000 pallets fit in a 13.6 m EU trailer?

With the 1000 mm side running along the trailer length, you get 13 rows of 2 pallets each — 26 positions in a 13.6 m × 2.4 m floor. The 200 mm difference versus a EUR pallet (which yields 33 positions) makes the industrial pallet less efficient in European trailers, which is why export loads to Europe are often re-palletised onto EUR pallets.

Can I exchange industrial 1200×1000 pallets in Europe?

No. The EPAL exchange system only accepts EPAL-certified EUR (1200×800 mm) pallets. Industrial 1200×1000 mm pallets are not part of any pan-European pallet pool. Cross-border shipments from China or India to Europe typically require either disposable pallets or re-palletising at a European distribution centre.

What is the difference between the IND pallet and the PBR pallet?

The footprint is identical — 1200×1000 mm. The difference is orientation and naming: Brazil's PBR pallet (ABNT NBR 9151) places the 1200 mm side as the width and the 1000 mm side as the depth, while China's GB/T 2934 standard puts 1200 mm as the length. In practice they are physically interchangeable and occupy the same floor area in any vehicle or racking system.

What is the fork entry configuration?

The 1200×1000 mm industrial pallet uses a 4-way block construction. All four sides accept forklift tines, which simplifies handling in both warehouse and loading dock environments — particularly useful in tight spaces where a 2-way pallet would require repositioning the forklift.

Do industrial pallets need ISPM 15 treatment for export?

Yes. Any solid wood pallet used in international shipments must comply with ISPM 15. Chinese exporters heat-treat pallets to 56 °C core for 30 minutes and stamp them with the IPPC wheat-ear symbol, country code, and HT mark. Untreated wooden pallets are rejected at border inspection points in the EU, US, Australia, and most other major import markets.

Industrial Pallet Dimensions — 1200×1000 mm

The standard block pallet used across China, India, and wider Asian supply chains

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Length

1.20m

Width

1.00m

Total height

150mm

Max static load

1,500 kg

Max dynamic load

1,000 kg

Max rack load

750 kg

Material

Hardwood or softwood

Fork entry

4-way

Industrial pallet in practice — truck fit, regional use, and the China standard

Truck fit

Pallet capacity in common Chinese and EU vehicle configurations

CN wing-body 9.6 m

18 industrial pallets (9 × 2) — single tier

CN 13 m semi-trailer

26 industrial pallets (13 × 2) — single tier

EU 13.6 m curtainsider

26 industrial pallets (13 × 2) — single tier

National standards

China standardised the 1200×1000 mm block pallet under GB/T 2934-2007. India uses IS 1254. Both call for a 4-way entry block pallet with a 150 mm deck height. The footprint is slightly larger than a EUR pallet (1200×800 mm) and significantly wider, so EU racking designed for EUR pallets may need beam-width adjustment.

Same footprint: PBR (Brazil)

Brazil's national pallet (ABNT NBR 9151, PBR) has a 1000×1200 mm footprint — the same dimensions rotated 90°. Because the footprint is identical, a 1200×1000 industrial pallet and a PBR pallet occupy the same floor area in any vehicle or rack.

No unified pallet pool

Unlike Europe's EPAL pool or Australia's CHEP network, neither China nor India operates a single national pallet exchange. Pallets are typically owned by the shipper or purchased one-way. Pallet leasing companies operate in major logistics hubs such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Mumbai.

Quick reference

Length	1.20m
Width	1.00m
Total height	150mm
Max static load	1,500 kg
Max dynamic load	1,000 kg
Max rack load	750 kg
Fork entry	4-way
Model	IND / Block

Industrial Pallet — Frequently Asked Questions

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