The arithmetic
| Pallet | mm | inches | vs 48 × 40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPAL 1 | 800 × 1200 | 31.5 × 47.2 | 8.5 in narrower, 0.8 in shorter |
| EPAL 2 / EPAL 3 | 1200 × 1000 | 47.2 × 39.4 | 0.8 in shorter, 0.6 in narrower |
| EPAL 6 / EPAL 7 | 800 × 600 | 31.5 × 23.6 | half of a euro footprint |
The 1200 × 1000 footprint is the near match. The 800 × 1200 is the problem.
Racking
If your beams are set for 40 in deep loads, an EPAL 1 placed with its 800 mm side front to back sits on less beam depth than the pallet the bay was designed for, and an EPAL 1 placed the other way overhangs by about 7 in. Talk to your racking supplier or engineer about supports or decking. Ratings and safe loading of your racking are theirs to confirm, not ours.
Trailers and containers
Euro pallets usually fit more positions per deck than 48 × 40, because three 800 mm widths fit across a North American trailer. See the comparison load tables.
Conveyors
Roller and chain conveyors are set for a pallet's runner direction and width. EPAL designed the EPAL 2 with a base frame for chain or roller conveyors; an EPAL 1 or a half pallet may not run on the same line. Test before you commit.
If they keep arriving
If euro pallets are a recurring headache, repalletising inbound goods and selling the euros as a recurring lot is often simpler than adapting racking. Use the sell form and tick "recurring".