Once a consignment passes roughly 30 kg, or once boxes become awkward to handle individually, pallet freight is both cheaper and safer than parcels. Goods travel strapped and shrink-wrapped on a single base, handled by forklift rather than by hand, which dramatically reduces damage rates.
Pallet sizes and what fits
| Type | Footprint | Max height | Typical max weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter pallet | 1200 × 1000 mm | 0.6 m | 250 kg |
| Half pallet | 1200 × 1000 mm | 1.0 m | 500 kg |
| Full pallet | 1200 × 1000 mm | 2.2 m | 1,000 kg |
| Euro pallet | 1200 × 800 mm | 2.2 m | 1,000 kg |
What UK pallet delivery costs
Domestic economy pallet delivery typically runs from around £45 for a quarter pallet on a two- to three-day service, £60–£85 for a half pallet, and £75–£120 for a full pallet, depending on distance, postcode zone and service speed. Next-day services carry a premium, and timed morning deliveries more so. Scottish Highlands, islands and Northern Ireland always attract a zone surcharge.
Storage: what £5 a week buys
Pallet warehousing on the Drivri network starts from £5.40 per pallet per week with live availability across UK sites, no long lease and no minimum term. That covers a racked or block-stacked pallet space in a secure warehouse. Handling in and out is charged separately, as is pick-and-pack if you want the site to fulfil orders for you — that is the model most e-commerce sellers use to avoid renting a unit outright.
Surcharges to plan for
- Tail-lift delivery where the destination has no forklift or loading dock.
- Residential or restricted-access delivery, common on rural and city-centre addresses.
- Timed or booked-in delivery slots required by retail distribution centres.
- Overhang — anything wider than the pallet base is charged at the next size up.
- Waiting time when the site cannot unload on arrival.
Packing a pallet properly
- Heaviest items on the base, lightest on top, weight distributed evenly.
- Keep everything inside the footprint — no overhang at any point.
- Shrink-wrap at least five turns, anchoring the wrap to the pallet itself.
- Strap heavy or shifting loads in both directions.
- Label the top and at least two sides so the pallet is identifiable in any orientation.
Pallets vs parcels vs a dedicated van
Send parcels when items are individually under 25 kg and can travel separately — from £2.99 a label. Send a pallet when weight or bulk is concentrated and the destination can unload it. Book a dedicated van from £18/hr when timing is critical, the goods are fragile or high value, or the delivery involves multiple stops.
Customs on international pallets
Pallets leaving Great Britain need an export declaration, and the receiving country needs an import entry. CDS customs clearance starts from £45 per declaration, and commodity codes, incoterms and duty calculations are handled for you so shipments do not sit at the border.