How Australian Export Pallets Differ from Domestic and Euro Pallet Designs

Pallets play a critical role in logistics, warehousing, and international trade. While they may appear similar at first glance, pallet designs vary significantly depending on where and how they are used. Australian export pallets and Euro pallets are designed to meet different handling, compliance, and transportation requirements. Understanding these differences is essential for businesses involved in shipping, storage, and export operations.

1. The Euro Pallet (EPAL): Continental Precision

If you are shipping to the European Union, you will inevitably encounter the Euro Pallet (also known as the EPAL or EUR-pallet). Measuring 1200mm x 800mm, this rectangular design is the gold standard across the continent.

Designed for Narrow Spaces

The Euro pallet was built to navigate the unique infrastructure of Europe—narrower warehouse aisles and smaller delivery truck tail-lifts.

• Strict Standards: True Euro second hand pallets must be EPAL-certified, meaning they follow rigorous quality controls regarding wood type, nail placement, and load-bearing capacity.
  
  
• Exchangeability: Europe operates a massive "pallet pool" where businesses exchange empty pallets for full ones. If your pallet doesn’t meet the EPAL standard, it may be rejected upon arrival.
  

2. The Australian Domestic Icon: The 1165mm Square

Australia’s domestic pallet is a unique outlier in the global market. Standardised under AS 4068-1993, the Australian standard pallet measures exactly 1165mm x 1165mm.
Why is it square?

The design is rooted in history. It was specifically engineered to fit perfectly into the RACE (Roll-on-Roll-off Australian Container Equipment) containers used by the Australian rail network. Two of these pallets fit snugly side-by-side, maximising space in local freight wagons.

• Materials: Typically constructed from durable Australian hardwood or structural-grade pine.
  
  
• Best For: Local Australian warehousing, supermarket racking, and domestic rail/road transport.
  
  
• The Export Problem: Because they are wider than standard ISO shipping containers, using a domestic 1165mm pallet for international sea freight often leads to "dead space," as they cannot be packed as efficiently as international counterparts.
  

While it might be tempting to use whatever you have in the warehouse, the "wrong" pallet can be a costly mistake. If you're shipping internally, the 1165mm square is your best friend. But the moment you look toward a port, you must switch to a pallet that fits the destination's infrastructure and satisfies the biosecurity laws of the land.