June 30, 2026
You've got stock to move. Maybe it's a batch of goods heading to a retail buyer, or a supplier delivery coming in, or your first big wholesale order going out the door. Whatever it is, you need it to arrive on time, in one piece, and without eating into your margins.
Pallet delivery is the standard solution for moving volume goods in the UK and Europe. But booking it without knowing how it works can cost you. Delays, damaged freight, unexpected surcharges. These things happen, and they usually happen to people who didn't know what to ask beforehand.
This guide covers the basics so you can make better decisions when the time comes.
A pallet is a flat wooden base that holds goods together as a single unit for transport. Your stock gets stacked on it, wrapped, and moved by lorry. It travels through a network of hubs and gets delivered to its destination, sometimes the same day, sometimes within 48 hours, sometimes longer if it's going to Europe.
Using reliable pallet delivery services means your freight moves as part of a structured system rather than a loose arrangement. The key benefit is that palletised freight is easier to handle, track, and insure. If you're shipping more than a few boxes, it's almost always the better option over standard courier.
This is where a lot of first-timers get tripped up. Pallet pricing is based on size and weight, not just distance. If you describe your goods inaccurately, you'll either be turned away on collection or charged extra on delivery.
Standard UK pallet sizes run as follows:
Measure your goods stacked and wrapped, not just the product itself. Wrapping and corner boards add height. Overhang on the sides can lead to a refusal or damage in transit.
Most pallet networks offer two tiers. Express gets your goods there next working day within the UK, or within 72 hours to most of Europe. Economy is slower, typically 48 hours domestically or up to five working days across Europe, but the rates are lower.
The temptation is to always book express. But if your buyer doesn't need the goods until Thursday and it's Monday morning, you're paying a premium for speed you don't need. Plan ahead and use economy where you can. The savings add up over a year of regular shipments.
One thing worth knowing: some destinations add time regardless of tier. Scottish Highlands, offshore islands, and certain rural European addresses can add one to three days to any service. Check before you promise a delivery date to a customer.
A well-prepared pallet is less likely to be damaged and less likely to cause problems at the depot. This is basic, but worth saying clearly.
Use a good quality pallet. Broken boards or weak bases are a liability. Your freight forwarder may be able to supply pallets, but if you're providing your own, inspect it first.
Stack your goods evenly. Weight should be distributed across the base, heavier items at the bottom. Do not let anything overhang the edge of the pallet.
Wrap it properly. Stretch wrap, applied in overlapping layers, holds everything together during handling. The same care that helps you avoid common packaging mistakes applies to palletised freight. Add corner boards if your goods are fragile or if the edges are vulnerable.
Label it clearly. Your name, the delivery address, and any handling instructions should be visible from multiple sides. According to the Road Haulage Association, poor labelling is one of the most common causes of misdirected freight in palletised networks, so this is worth taking seriously.
Most collections happen in the afternoon, typically before 4pm. The pallet goes to a local depot, moves through the hub network overnight, and gets delivered the following morning on a premium service.
You should receive tracking information. Good freight forwarders give you online tracking, an estimated time of arrival, and electronic proof of delivery when the job is done. If your forwarder doesn't offer this as standard, that's worth factoring into your decision.
Proof of delivery matters. If a dispute arises with a buyer about whether goods arrived, you'll want documentation. Some networks also offer a two-hour delivery window notification, which is useful for recipients who need to have someone on-site.
If you're an online business selling into Europe, or buying from European suppliers, there's an extra layer to consider. Post-Brexit customs requirements mean that commercial freight moving between the UK and EU needs documentation. Commodity codes, commercial invoices, and in some cases import duties on the receiving end.
This catches a lot of small businesses off guard. You can ship a pallet to Germany, France, or Italy through a standard palletised service, but the customs paperwork needs to be correct or the shipment will be held at the border. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has published guidance on this, and it's worth reading before your first European shipment.
A good freight forwarder will handle customs clearance as part of the service. If the company you're looking at doesn't offer this, you'll need to arrange it separately or find someone who does. For a growing product brand, reliable cross-border delivery is part of expanding into new markets sustainably.
Not all pallet networks are the same. You want a company that's been doing this for a while, has a proper tracking system, answers the phone when something goes wrong, and can handle both domestic and European freight if your business ever needs it.
Price matters, but it isn't everything. A slightly cheaper quote that results in damaged goods or a late delivery to a key buyer costs you more in the long run. Ask about their claims process before you book. A forwarder who's vague about what happens when things go wrong is telling you something.
Check whether they're a member of a recognised industry body like BIFA (the British International Freight Association) or the RHA. Membership doesn't guarantee perfection, but it does mean they're held to a professional standard and have somewhere to answer if things go wrong.
Give yourself more time than you think you need. If you're new to palletised freight, your first booking will take longer than expected. Allow a day or two to get quotes, sort the paperwork, and prepare the goods properly.
Get at least two quotes. Rates vary more than you'd expect between providers, especially on European routes. Once you have a regular relationship with a forwarder, prices often improve.
Keep records. Every shipment should have a booking reference, a collection receipt, and proof of delivery on file. If you're VAT registered and shipping commercially, you'll also want the paperwork for your accountant.
Pallet delivery isn't complicated once you understand the basics. Get the preparation right, choose your service level honestly, and use a forwarder who communicates clearly. Your freight will get where it needs to go.
Pallet delivery is priced on the size and weight of your load and the distance it travels, not a flat rate. A quarter pallet on an economy service costs far less than a full pallet shipped express, so getting two or three quotes and choosing the right service tier is the best way to control cost.
Within the UK, an express service is typically next working day and economy is usually around 48 hours. Shipments to Europe range from about 72 hours on express to five working days on economy, and remote areas such as the Scottish Highlands or offshore islands can add one to three days.
A standard UK pallet has a footprint of 120 by 100cm. Loads are classed by height: a full pallet up to around 220cm, a half pallet up to roughly 110cm, and a quarter pallet up to 80cm, with weight limits that vary by network. Always confirm exact limits with your chosen forwarder.
Yes. Since Brexit, commercial freight moving between the UK and EU needs documentation including commodity codes and a commercial invoice, and import duties may apply on the receiving end. A good freight forwarder handles customs clearance as part of the service.
Use a good quality pallet, stack heavier items at the bottom with nothing overhanging the edge, wrap everything in overlapping layers of stretch wrap, add corner boards for fragile goods, and label the pallet clearly on multiple sides.
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