Pallet

A pallet is a horizontal platform device used in foreign trade transportation for carrying, unitizing, stacking, and handling goods, typically made of wood, plastic, metal, or composite materials. Its core function is to achieve cargo unitization, facilitate forklift operations, greatly improve loading and unloading efficiency, reduce cargo damage, and adapt to standardized logistics systems such as containers, trucks, and racks. Usage scenarios include full container load (FCL) or less than container load (LCL) transportation by sea, air, and land, especially common in FCL and LCL business. Precautions: 1) Material selection must consider the quarantine requirements of the destination country; for example, wooden pallets usually need fumigation and IPPC marking, otherwise they may be rejected or destroyed; 2) Dimensions must match the transport container, commonly 1200×1000mm, 1200×800mm, 1100×1100mm, etc., with differences between European and American standards; 3) The pallet itself may be counted in the cargo weight or volume, affecting freight charges; 4) If sold with the goods, the pallet price and ownership must be clearly specified in the contract. Unlike a 'container', a pallet is a small unit load, while a container is large transport equipment; compared with a 'returnable box', a pallet is usually not enclosed and is suitable for flat or stacked goods.