The wrong pallet means product damage, customs delays, unnecessary freight and the cost of buying pallets again and again. The right pallet speeds up your shipments and lowers total cost. This guide summarises the criteria to check when choosing a pallet and the pallet types that stand out per sector.
6 criteria to check when choosing a pallet
- Size and standard: Euro (1200×800), ISO (1200×1000) or made-to-order? It must match your warehouse racking and container plan.
- Load capacity: Choose dynamic (in motion) and static (stacked) load to suit your product weight.
- Hygiene: Food, pharma and chemicals need a splinter-free, easy-to-clean, non-absorbent surface.
- Export / ISPM-15: If it ships abroad, a pallet that needs no heat treatment saves time and money.
- Weight and freight: Especially in air cargo, the pallet’s own weight is a direct cost.
- Use cycle: One-way (export) or many returns (closed-loop logistics) decides the type and budget.
Pallet types at a glance
| Criterion | Composite | Wood | Plastic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export (ISPM-15) | Not required | Required | Not required |
| Hygiene | High | Medium | High |
| Weight | Light | Heavy | Medium |
| Dimensional stability | High | Low | High |
| Up-front cost | Medium | Low | High |
* General tendencies; may vary by size and model. See the Why Composite Pallets? page for a detailed table.
Recommended pallet by sector
- Food & beverage: Hygiene and moisture resistance first → composite pallet.
- Pharma & chemicals: Cleanable, splinter-free, consistent size → composite pallet.
- Export & logistics: ISPM-15-free, light, nestable → composite pallet.
- Automotive & heavy parts: Reinforced composite or wood pallet for high loads.
- E-commerce / warehouse: Automation compatibility and returnable use → composite or plastic pallet.
You can see use cases for your sector on our Industries page, and product sizes and models on our Composite Pallet page.