Metric Pallets in the US
Euro Pallet vs American Standard - What You Need to Know

The term "metric pallets" refers to pallets whose dimensions are specified in the metric system rather than imperial inches. In practice, this almost always means the European EPAL standard, though the ISO has also defined a broader set of pallet sizes in metric units that cover global trade.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recognizes six preferred pallet sizes through ISO 6780. All six are specified in metric:

Notice that the US GMA 48x40 appears on the ISO list - expressed as 1219x1016mm. So technically, the GMA pallet is an ISO-recognized standard. The friction arises when US operations need to handle the EUR 1 (1200x800mm) or EUR 2 (1200x1000mm) formats, which require different racking, different stretch wrap configurations, and different trailer loading patterns than US operations are built around.

The Euro pallet (EPAL EUR 1) and the GMA 48x40 are the two most common pallet formats in global trade, but they differ significantly in construction, load ratings, and physical footprint. Understanding these differences is essential before deciding which format fits your operation.

The most important practical difference: the Euro pallet is a block pallet with full 4-way forklift entry, while the standard US GMA pallet is a stringer pallet with notched partial 4-way entry. This means equipment designed around one format may not handle the other cleanly. Automated conveyor systems and pallet dispensers calibrated to GMA dimensions will not correctly handle a Euro pallet.

The footprint difference also matters for trailer loading. A standard US 53-foot trailer is designed to be loaded two GMA pallets (each 48 inches wide) across its 98-inch interior width. Euro pallets (each 47.2 inches wide) can technically fit two across as well, but the extra clearance leads to load shift during transit if pallets are not stretch-wrapped to a consistent width. See our guide on standard pallet sizes for full trailer loading math across all common formats.

The US supply chain was built around the GMA 48x40, and virtually every piece of infrastructure - racking systems, conveyor belts, trailer fleets, pallet jacks, and stretch wrap machines - is calibrated to that format. Introducing metric pallets into this environment creates friction at several points:

• Racking compatibility: US selective pallet racking is typically spec'd for a 40-inch depth. A Euro pallet at 31.5 inches deep has 8.5 inches of space behind it in the rack bay. This is not necessarily unsafe, but it requires a racking assessment before use and may require beam position adjustments.
• Forklift entry: Most US forklifts are set up for stringer pallet entry - tines fit between two stringers. Block-style Euro pallets accept forklifts from all four sides, which is an advantage in tight warehouses, but your forklift operators need to be aware of the entry points.
• Stretch wrap programs: Turntable stretch wrap machines set for a 48-inch GMA pallet may over-wrap or under-wrap a 47.2-inch Euro pallet if the carriage height and film overlap settings are not adjusted. A small dimensional difference creates a meaningful wrapping inconsistency at scale.
• Retail DC compliance: Major US retailer distribution centers - Walmart, Costco, Kroger, and others - specify GMA 48x40 pallets. Imported goods arriving on metric pallets must be transferred to GMA before retail DC delivery.

For most domestic US operations, the case for running metric pallets is weak unless you have specific manufacturing equipment or export requirements that make the Euro format unavoidable. The transition costs - racking adjustments, conveyor resets, operator retraining, DC pallet swaps - typically outweigh any benefit for operations that do not cross into European distribution.

Despite the infrastructure friction, there are legitimate reasons a US-based operation might need metric pallets or metric-equivalent pallet sizes:

1. Export to Europe or metric-standard markets. If you are shipping finished goods to European distribution centers, your customer may require EPAL Euro pallets or at minimum pallets that fit European racking. Shipping GMA pallets overseas and leaving them behind is expensive. Some exporters use heat-treated custom pallets in metric dimensions as a one-way export pallet. The IPPC ISPM-15 standard applies regardless of pallet dimensions - all wood pallets moving between countries require heat treatment. Our guide on heat treated pallets and ISPM-15 covers the marking and compliance requirements in detail.

2. Manufacturing lines calibrated to metric equipment. Some production equipment imported from Europe or Asia is designed to interface with metric pallet dimensions. A production line built around 1200mm pallet width may not cleanly transfer product to a 1219mm GMA pallet without a significant retooling. In these cases, running metric pallets through the production area and converting to GMA at the staging dock is often the most practical approach.

3. Importing goods already on Euro pallets. Imported containers often arrive loaded on Euro pallets. If your operation processes a high volume of imports, you may accumulate Euro pallets that need to be either returned, sold, or recycled. In some ports - including PortMiami and Port Everglades in Florida - pallet brokers handle EPAL pallet buyback, though the market for used Euro pallets in the US is thin compared to Europe.

4. APAC trade using 1100x1100mm pallets. Operations with significant Asia-Pacific supply chains may encounter 1100x1100mm (43.3" x 43.3") pallets, which are common in Japan, Korea, and Australia. These do not match any US standard and typically require transfer at the US receiving dock.

In all of these cases, the most cost-effective solution is usually to convert to GMA pallets at the US point of entry or export, rather than running parallel pallet systems through a domestic warehouse. Contact our team through Florida Pallet Supply's quote form to discuss pallet conversion programs and custom sizing options for your specific trade flow.

Finding true EPAL-certified Euro pallets in the US is difficult. The EPAL certification program is administered in Europe, and very few US pallet manufacturers produce EPAL-stamped pallets. What US buyers can typically source are:

• Custom metric-equivalent pallets: Any reputable pallet supplier can build a custom pallet to metric dimensions. A 1200x800mm or 1200x1000mm wood pallet can be manufactured to order, typically in minimum quantities of a few hundred units. Lead time is longer than stock GMA pallets. For the NWPCA's guidance on pallet specifications and grading, the custom order process follows the same wood species, board thickness, and fastening standards as GMA production.
• Heat-treated export pallets in custom sizes: For one-way export use, heat-treated wood pallets in Euro dimensions can be produced and ISPM-15 stamped for use in any market that accepts the HT designation. These are consumed in the export cycle - they do not return to your facility.
• Plastic metric pallets: Plastic block pallets are manufactured in both GMA and Euro dimensions by several producers. Plastic Euro pallets have the advantage of not requiring ISPM-15 treatment, which simplifies export compliance. The upfront cost is significantly higher than wood, but for closed-loop export programs where pallets are returned, plastic is worth evaluating. See our pallet types guide for a full comparison of wood versus plastic options.
• Used Euro pallets from import flows: In Florida - particularly in the Miami and Jacksonville markets - used Euro pallets are sometimes available from importers who cannot cost-effectively return them to Europe. These are sold as-is and vary widely in condition. They are not EPAL-certified once they leave the European system, so they cannot be remarked as EPAL.

Florida Pallet Supply serves operations across FL, GA, NJ, MD, and DE that work in both domestic and international trade flows. If your operation involves import or export pallet handling, our delivery and logistics program can be structured around pallet conversion - receiving imported goods, palletizing to GMA standard, and staging for domestic distribution or retail DC delivery.

For buyers working through Florida's major port markets, custom pallet programs can be set up with regular delivery cycles that align with import container arrival schedules, eliminating the need to carry large on-site metric pallet inventory.