1200×800 plastic pallets: load ratings, types and how they differ from EPAL

In briefA 1200×800 plastic pallet has the same footprint as the euro pallet and works on the same trucks and in the same racking, but it is not an EPAL pallet. It comes in three classes: lightweight nestable at 4-9 kg, medium rackable at 14-20 kg and heavy duty at 18-25 kg, with racking loads up to about 1,400 kg (1,750 with steel) according to the data sheets.

The 1200×800 plastic pallet is the plastic version of the EUR / euro pallet: 1200×800 mm, the most common size in Europe and one of the six sizes in ISO 6780 ^[1]. It goes through the same doors, onto the same trucks and into the same systems as wood ^[3].

Same size as the euro pallet, but not EPAL

"Euro pallet" means two things. As a size, it is a 1200×800 pallet in any material. As a mark, EPAL (or EUR) means a wooden pallet built to the rules of the European Pallet Association: 1200×800×144 mm, 11 boards, 9 blocks and 78 nails, with a working load of 1,500 kg ^[2]. Like other wooden pallets of this size, it typically weighs about 10-20 kg.

A 1200×800 plastic pallet matches it in size but is not an EPAL pallet ^[3]. For you this means:

• it is not part of the EPAL "pallet for pallet" exchange (for returns, the alternative is rental or pooling);
• you cannot call it EPAL or EUR in a quotation or a specification;
• you use it on the same trucks, in the same pallet racking and on the same conveyors as wood.

The three classes in the 1200×800 size

The size is the same; the construction varies a great deal. Here are real models with the values from their data sheets.

In short, the ranges you will find on data sheets:

• lightweight: 4–9 kg, 650–1,000 kg dynamic, 1,500–2,500 kg static, generally no racking load ^[5];
• medium: 14–20 kg, about 1,500 kg dynamic, 5,000–6,000 kg static, 800–1,250 kg in racking ^[5][7];
• heavy duty: 18–25 kg, 1,250–1,500 kg dynamic, 4,500–7,500 kg static, 1,000–1,400 kg in racking, up to about 1,750 kg with steel profiles ^[5][6].

All values apply to an evenly distributed load. What makes the difference is the support. In racking the pallet is suspended between two beams and works as a bridge, so the racking load applies, the lowest of the three. On the floor or a solid shelf its whole surface is supported, so the static load (at rest) and the dynamic load (when you move it) apply. The details are in the guide to plastic pallet load capacity.

In racking, a 1200×800 pallet normally goes with the 800 side on the aisle and the 1200 side into the depth of the rack: the runners sit at 90° to the beams and cross them, and the pallet overhangs by about 50 mm front and back ^[11]. If you turn it round, check with the supplier that the racking load also applies in that direction.

The three 1200×800 pallets ROLL offers

ROLL does not sell 1200×800 pallets for every use and does not manufacture flat pallets. It offers three, each for a specific case:

• PP69, for storage in pallet racking: 16 kg, three steel bars, 155 mm high, 5,000 kg static distributed load and 1,200 kg in racking according to the manufacturer's data sheet ^[7].
• PPH1, for hygienic environments: H1 type with closed runners, no steel bars, washable, 19 kg, 1,000 kg in racking ^[9]. It is made of recycled material and must not come into direct contact with food.
• PP08, if you want a flat deck to move on the floor with a pallet truck: closed deck, nine legs, 4-way entry, 19 kg, 5,000 kg static. The data sheet lists it as not rackable, so it has no racking load ^[8].

The data sheets of these three models give no dynamic load: ask for it before you order. For a lightweight 1200×800 pallet for export or for other uses, the table above applies to any manufacturer.

Nine legs, three runners or five runners

The base under the deck decides where you can use the pallet. Nine-leg pallets are usually nestable; runner pallets can be stacked when loaded ^[3].

One heavy duty three-runner pallet on the market, for example, has non-welded runners and a closed deck underneath ^[6]. Find out more in the guide to types of plastic pallet.

How many 1200×800 pallets fit in a truck and a container

One logistics operator gives 33 non-stacked 1200×800 pallets in a standard trailer, or 66 if the load is stackable, with a 24,000 kg limit. A 20 ft container takes 11, a 40 ft container 25 ^[4].

These figures come from a single operator. The real number depends on the weight, fragility and height of the load, so confirm it with your carrier. Here the pallet's weight matters: a 5 kg lightweight pallet instead of a 15-20 kg wooden one (our assumption) frees up about 10-15 kg per pallet space ^[5].

The 800×600 half pallet

800×600 mm is half a euro pallet: two side by side take up the footprint of a 1200×800. It is used in distribution and retail and is not one of the ISO 6780 sizes ^[1].

A lightweight 800×600 pallet weighs about 3.7 kg and states 500 kg static and 250 kg dynamic ^[5].

Price

Price follows class. As an indicative range, excl. VAT, a lightweight nestable pallet typically costs about €5 to €30, a medium one €30 to €60, a heavy duty one with steel €60 to €80. Quantity, colour and the choice between virgin and recycled plastic also count. Market ranges and how to compare quotations are in the guide to plastic pallet prices. For the three flat pallets ROLL offers, the current price is on each model's page, for example the PP69 ^[7][8][9].

If you load reels

The load ratings on data sheets apply to even loads. A reel lying on a 1200×800 pallet is a concentrated load and it rolls: you need saddles or cradles, or roll chocks. The options are in the guide to reel pallets.

The three flat pallets offered by ROLL

ROLL does not sell generic plastic pallets. Among flat pallets it offers only these three, each for a specific use.

For pallet racking ROLL PP69 1200×800 with 3 steel bars, 16 kg; 1,200 kg racking load according to the manufacturer’s datasheet. Designed for rack storage, with the pallet spanning two beams.

For hygienic environments ROLL PPH1 H1 type with closed runners, no steel bars, washable. Made from recycled material: not for direct food contact.

For floor handling ROLL PP08 Closed flat deck, 4-way entry, 9 feet: for moving pallets on the floor with a pallet truck. Not designed for racking.

Found a mistake or an outdated figure? Write to us at info@roll-packaging.com