[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":128},["ShallowReactive",2],{"c:\u002Fguides\u002Fwhich-epal-class-to-specify-for-exports":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"answer":6,"audience":7,"body":8,"description":111,"extension":112,"lead":113,"meta":114,"navigation":115,"noindex":116,"path":117,"related":118,"reviewed":122,"seo":123,"sources":124,"stem":126,"__hash__":127},"guides\u002Fguides\u002Fwhich-epal-class-to-specify-for-exports.md","Which EPAL class to specify for exports","Specify new when the customer asks for it or runs strict automated systems; class A when appearance matters; class B for sound machine-handled freight where colour does not; and avoid class C for anything going into automated conveyors or high-bay racking. The classification applies only if both parties agree to use it.","Exporters to the EU",{"type":9,"value":10,"toc":104},"minimark",[11,16,20,24,91,95],[12,13,15],"h2",{"id":14},"the-agreement-comes-first","The agreement comes first",[17,18,19],"p",{},"EPAL's Quality Classification is a non-binding recommendation. It only applies when the companies involved agree to it. Without that agreement, the EPAL Terms of Exchange apply, under which new and used Euro pallets of classes A, B and C are exchangeable without restriction. So the first question is whether your customer wants a class at all.",[12,21,23],{"id":22},"the-four-practical-choices","The four practical choices",[25,26,27,43],"table",{},[28,29,30],"thead",{},[31,32,33,37,40],"tr",{},[34,35,36],"th",{},"Class",[34,38,39],{},"Choose it when",[34,41,42],{},"Avoid it when",[44,45,46,58,69,80],"tbody",{},[31,47,48,52,55],{},[49,50,51],"td",{},"New",[49,53,54],{},"The customer requires new, or moisture matters (max. 22% residual moisture)",[49,56,57],{},"Cost matters more than appearance",[31,59,60,63,66],{},[49,61,62],{},"A",[49,64,65],{},"Appearance matters and loads run on automated systems",[49,67,68],{},"You cannot verify the criteria; colour alone is not proof",[31,70,71,74,77],{},[49,72,73],{},"B",[49,75,76],{},"Sound, machine-suitable pallets where colour is irrelevant",[49,78,79],{},"The customer specified A",[31,81,82,85,88],{},[49,83,84],{},"C",[49,86,87],{},"Manual handling and one-way loads",[49,89,90],{},"Conveyors and high-bay racking; the poster does not mark C as machine-suitable",[12,92,94],{"id":93},"write-it-down","Write it down",[17,96,97,98,103],{},"Put the EPAL type and class in the purchase order and the shipping instructions. Then ",[99,100,102],"a",{"href":101},"\u002Fsource","request a quote",".",{"title":105,"searchDepth":106,"depth":106,"links":107},"",2,[108,109,110],{"id":14,"depth":106,"text":15},{"id":22,"depth":106,"text":23},{"id":93,"depth":106,"text":94},"New, A, B or C? How to choose the EPAL Quality Classification class for a shipment to Europe, based on handling, appearance and what your customer agreed.","md","buy",{},true,false,"\u002Fguides\u002Fwhich-epal-class-to-specify-for-exports",[119,120,121,101],"\u002Fgrades","\u002Fgrades\u002Fclass-b","\u002Fguides\u002Fsourcing-epal-pallets-for-eu-exports","2026-10-27",{"title":5,"description":111},[125],"epal-classification","guides\u002Fwhich-epal-class-to-specify-for-exports","BD0lhIjMeuJXPGxjJIXc2bQDHJyF4mlV2rJvkJ1uIkc",1793132283534]