A practical guide to sending a pallet in the UK: standard sizes and weight bands, how to wrap and label a pallet, tail lifts and access, network versus dedicated van, and what drives the price.
Sending a pallet for the first time raises a lot of small questions. What size is a standard UK pallet? How heavy can it be? Does someone need a forklift at the other end? And why do two quotes for the same pallet differ so much? This guide explains how to send a pallet in the UK from start to finish: the sizes and weight bands carriers use, how to build a pallet that arrives in one piece, the difference between a pallet network and a dedicated vehicle, and what actually drives the price.
Quick answer: Measure and weigh the loaded pallet, including the pallet itself. Book the right size band (full, half or quarter), then wrap and strap the load so nothing overhangs the edges. Tell the carrier whether either address has a forklift or loading bay. If one doesn't, book a tail-lift vehicle. Choose next day for planned stock moves, or a dedicated van when the pallet must arrive today. At CourierFly, pallet delivery starts from £84.60 at a fixed price.
UK pallet sizes and weight limits
Standard UK and Euro pallets
Most pallets moved in the UK are one of two footprints. The standard UK pallet measures 1200mm by 1000mm. The Euro pallet (EUR or EPAL) is narrower at 1200mm by 800mm. Both are around 144mm to 150mm tall when empty and weigh roughly 20kg to 30kg. That weight counts towards your total, so include it when you weigh a loaded pallet. Smaller half pallets (around 1000mm by 600mm or 800mm by 600mm) are common for retail and display stock.
Whatever the footprint, the goods should sit within the edges of the pallet. Boxes that overhang the deck get crushed against other freight or the vehicle wall, and they are the first thing to be damaged in transit.
Pallet size bands explained
Carriers price by a band, not by the exact size of your load. The band is set by the height and weight of the loaded pallet. The limits below are typical across UK pallet networks. Each carrier sets its own, so check yours before you build the pallet.
Band | Typical maximum height (including pallet) | Typical maximum weight | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
Full pallet | Up to about 2.2m | Up to 1,000kg to 1,200kg | Bulk stock, building materials, machinery parts |
Half pallet | Up to about 1.1m | Up to about 500kg | Trade orders, cartons of components, retail replenishment |
Quarter pallet | Up to about 0.8m | Up to about 250kg | Heavy boxes, small batches of parts, samples |
Mini quarter | Up to about 0.6m | Up to about 150kg | Single heavy items too big for a parcel service |
CourierFly moves full and half pallets of up to 1,000kg each. If your pallet is over the limit for its band, it will be re-measured at the hub and the price will go up. In the worst case it will be held until the booking is corrected, so it pays to measure honestly at the start.
How to prepare a pallet for delivery
Build it to survive the journey
A well-built pallet behaves like one solid block. A badly built one shifts, leans and spills. The rules are simple: heavy items at the bottom, lighter ones on top, cartons stacked in an interlocking pattern like brickwork, and no gaps in the middle. Use a pallet in good condition, with no missing or cracked boards, because a broken deck can give way when a forklift or pump truck lifts it.
Pallet preparation checklist
Work through this list before the driver arrives. It is the difference between a smooth delivery and a damaged or rejected pallet.
- Check the pallet itself. It should be sound and the right footprint for your goods, with nothing overhanging the edges.
- Stack heavy to light, in an interlocking pattern, keeping the top flat and level.
- Stretch wrap it tightly, starting at the base and taking the first few turns around the pallet deck so the load is tied to it.
- Strap heavy or loose loads with banding through the pallet, and use corner boards to stop the straps cutting into cartons.
- Measure the height and weigh the whole thing, including the pallet, and book the band that matches.
- Label it on at least two sides with the delivery address, contact name and phone number, and the number of pallets in the consignment (for example, 1 of 2).
- Mark anything special, such as "do not stack" or "this way up", and declare any dangerous goods before booking.
- Photograph the finished pallet from two angles. If anything goes wrong, those photos support a claim.
If you don't have wrap or strapping to hand, CourierFly can supply pallet wrap and strapping. Mention it when you book.
Keeping the load secure on the vehicle
Once loaded, the vehicle itself must be loaded and restrained safely, which is the carrier's responsibility. The HSE guidance on load security explains why a stable, well-wrapped pallet matters: a load that can't move is far easier to secure and much less likely to shift under braking.
Collection and delivery: access, forklifts and tail lifts
Tell the carrier about access
The most common cause of a failed pallet delivery is not the pallet. It's the address. Before you book, find out three things about each end: is there a forklift or pallet truck and someone to use it, can a large vehicle get in and turn, and is there a loading bay or level hard ground at the kerb? A narrow residential street, a gravel drive or a site with a height barrier all change which vehicle you need.
When you need a tail lift or hiab
If there is no forklift or loading bay, book a vehicle with a tail lift. It's a powered platform that lowers the pallet from the load bed to the ground, and the driver then moves it with a pallet truck. CourierFly's Luton vans with tail lift carry a pump truck for exactly this. For very heavy or awkward loads, such as machinery or building materials that have to be lifted over a wall or onto a site, hiab delivery uses a crane mounted on the vehicle. Our construction and trade courier service handles timed site deliveries like this regularly.
Bear in mind that a tail lift lowers the pallet to the kerb or the nearest level hard ground. It can't push a pallet up steps, across a lawn or along gravel, so plan where the goods will go next.
Pallet network or dedicated vehicle?
How a pallet network works
Most next day pallet services run on a pallet network. A local member depot collects your pallet in the afternoon, trucks it overnight to a central hub, and a depot near the destination delivers it the next working day. This hub and spoke model shares lorry space between thousands of pallets, so it's good value for planned, non-urgent freight. The trade-offs are an all-day delivery window unless you pay for a timed slot, and more handling, because each pallet is loaded and unloaded several times on the way.
When a dedicated van makes more sense
A dedicated vehicle collects your pallet and drives it straight to the destination, with no hub and no other freight on board. It costs more than a network slot, but it can deliver the same day, it can arrive at a specific time, and the pallet is handled only twice. For a production line waiting on parts, a retailer about to miss a delivery slot or a site that can only receive goods in one window, that's usually worth paying for.
Pallet network (next day) | Dedicated vehicle (same day) | |
|---|---|---|
Speed | Next working day, sometimes 2 to 3 days for remote areas | Collected and delivered today |
Delivery time | All-day window unless you pay for a timed slot | Arrival time agreed at booking |
Handling | Several transfers through depots and a hub | Loaded once, unloaded once |
Cost | Lower, because lorry space is shared | Higher, because the vehicle is yours |
Best for | Planned stock moves and regular replenishment | Urgent, fragile, high value or time-critical loads |
CourierFly offers both. Our pallet delivery service covers next day and scheduled pallets, and our same day courier sends a dedicated van when a pallet can't wait. You can compare both prices on the same quote.
Which vehicle fits your pallets?
When you book a dedicated vehicle, the number and weight of pallets decide the van. As a guide, a short wheelbase van takes up to 2 pallets and 800kg, a medium wheelbase up to 3 pallets and 1,000kg, and an extra long wheelbase or a Luton up to 4 UK pallets. The Luton options carry up to 1,500kg, and you can have one with a tail lift. If you're not sure, give the number of pallets, their sizes and the total weight when you book and we'll match the vehicle.
What affects the cost of sending a pallet
The main price factors
Pallet prices vary more than parcel prices because more things change the job. The main factors are:
- Size band and weight. A full pallet costs more than a half or quarter, and an underdeclared pallet is re-priced at the hub.
- Distance and postcode. The Scottish Highlands, islands and Northern Ireland usually cost more and take longer.
- Speed. Next day on a network is the cheapest option. Timed slots, same day and dedicated vehicles cost more.
- Access. Tail lift, hiab and residential deliveries can each add a charge.
- Number of pallets. Several pallets on one dedicated vehicle are often cheaper per pallet than separate network bookings.
- Insurance. Standard cover is limited, so valuable loads need enhanced cover (see below).
Avoiding surprise charges
Most extra charges on a pallet invoice come from one of four things: the pallet was taller or heavier than booked, a tail lift was needed but not booked, nobody was there to receive it, or the vehicle couldn't get access. Each is avoidable with accurate measurements and a quick call to the receiver before you book. CourierFly shows a fixed price before you confirm, based on the details you give, so getting those details right keeps the price fixed.
Insurance for palletised goods
A pallet of stock is often worth far more than a parcel. Every CourierFly consignment includes £50 of goods in transit cover. You can choose enhanced cover up to £2,500 (+£12.00) or premium cover up to £15,000 (+£40.00) at checkout, and bespoke cover can be arranged for higher values. Our guide to goods in transit insurance explains what is and isn't covered, and how to make a claim.
Sending pallets regularly
Set up a routine
If you send pallets every week, a few habits save money and time. Standardise your pallet build so every pallet fits one band. Keep a stock of wrap, straps and labels by the dispatch door. And give receivers the booking reference and expected day as soon as you book. Recurring collections can be scheduled daily, weekly or on a custom pattern, so you don't have to rebook the same job every time.
Open a business account
Businesses sending pallets regularly can apply for a 30-day credit account, subject to a credit check. You get one monthly invoice for every job and a single place to see tracking and proof of delivery. Our guide to business courier accounts explains how it works, or you can apply for a business account online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard pallet size in the UK?
The standard UK pallet is 1200mm by 1000mm. The Euro pallet, also common in the UK, is 1200mm by 800mm. Both are around 150mm tall and weigh about 20kg to 30kg empty.
How much does it cost to send a pallet in the UK?
It depends on the size band, weight, distance, speed and access at each end. CourierFly pallet delivery starts from £84.60, and you see a fixed price before you book. Same day and dedicated vehicle options cost more than next day.
How heavy can a pallet be?
Most UK networks accept full pallets of up to 1,000kg to 1,200kg, with lower limits for half and quarter pallets. CourierFly handles full and half pallets of up to 1,000kg each. Always include the weight of the pallet itself.
Do I need a forklift to receive a pallet?
No, as long as you book a tail-lift vehicle. The tail lift lowers the pallet to the ground and the driver moves it with a pallet truck to the nearest suitable spot on level hard ground. For very heavy loads, hiab delivery is also available.
Can a pallet be delivered the same day?
Yes. A dedicated van collects the pallet and takes it straight to the destination, with no hub in between. It costs more than a next day network service but avoids overnight trunking and extra handling.
Do I have to wrap my pallet?
Yes. Carriers expect the load to be stretch wrapped and, for heavy or loose items, strapped to the pallet. An unwrapped pallet may be refused or damaged. CourierFly can supply pallet wrap and strapping if you ask when booking.
Sending a pallet is simple once you have the basics right: measure and weigh it honestly, build and wrap it well, and tell the carrier about access at both ends. Get an instant fixed-price pallet quote online, including tail-lift options, or call 0330 341 3180 to talk through a larger or more complicated load.
Need a courier?
Pallet Delivery Across the UK · Book a courier online · Call 0330 341 3180
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