Identify and grade a euro pallet

Work through one pallet at a time. The checks follow EPAL's published specifications and its 2023 quality classification poster, and the ISPM 15 marking rules. The result is an indication for sorting, not a certificate.

Document
TOOL-001
Sheet
Tools
Last reviewed
Sources
6 cited

Size and brand

Measure the top deck
How tall is it?
What is branded on the outer blocks of the long sides?

Marks on the centre block

Is there a metal control staple in a centre block?
Is there a repair marking nail in a block?
Is there a bordered IPPC mark with a wheat-ear symbol?

Condition

New or used?
Mostly light or dark wood?
Tick any fault you can see

Result

EPAL 1 Euro palletLikely type
highConfidence
Class AIndicative class
compliant lookingISPM 15

Open the EPAL 1 Euro pallet sheet

Why

  • EPAL in oval brand on the blocks. The trademark is only applied by licensees, but it can be copied, so it is read together with the staple.
  • Control staple present. EPAL lists the control staple as mandatory; it comes from the inspected production lot.

Treatment mark

IPPC mark present. Type the codes into the stamp decoder to read them.

Class: Class A

  • Used, mainly light-coloured, no faults ticked
  • Lightness alone is not a guarantee; the other checks must pass

What to do with it

If you imported it: Sell into the used euro pallet market, or keep for return exports to Europe.

If you want to export on it: Acceptable where your customer accepts Class A. Confirm the class in writing.

Get an offer for pallets like this

Sources

Last reviewed . Figures come from these publications; follow the links for the current versions.

  1. EPAL Euro pallet (EPAL 1), load-carrier page, European Pallet Association e.V.
  2. EPAL 2 pallet, load-carrier page, European Pallet Association e.V.
  3. EPAL 3 pallet, load-carrier page, European Pallet Association e.V.
  4. EPAL 7 half pallet, load-carrier page, European Pallet Association e.V.
  5. EPAL Quality Classification poster (edition 08/2023), European Pallet Association e.V.
  6. ISPM 15, Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade (adopted 2018, published 2019), IPPC Secretariat / FAO