Choosing the right pallet has a surprisingly large effect on how smoothly goods move, how efficiently warehouse space is used and how easily loads can be handled day to day. That is why a pallet should not be chosen simply because it happens to be the most familiar or the cheapest model. In practice, the best solution only becomes clear once you think about what the pallet will be used for, how heavy a load will be placed on it, how the goods are moved and whether you need, for example, pallet collars or heat treatment.
Suomen Lavacenter’s range includes several options for different needs: EUR pallets, FIN pallets, one-way pallets, half pallets, forklift pallets, display pallets and pallet collars. Once you understand the practical differences between the options, choosing the right pallet becomes much easier.
Why does choosing the right pallet matter?
In many companies the pallet is an everyday tool, and that is exactly why its importance is not always noticed in time. If the pallet is too small, the load easily becomes awkward or unstable. If the pallet is unnecessarily large, space is easily wasted in the warehouse and in transport. And if the pallet’s construction or condition does not match its use, handling can slow down and the whole supply chain can become needlessly cumbersome.
When the right pallet is chosen from the start, loads are easier to build, handling is smoother and goods move more safely. In practice, this shows up as less fiddling, better use of space and often better cost control as well.
Start with these questions
If you are not sure which pallet suits your company best, start with these questions:
- How large and heavy is the load that goes on the pallet?
- Do the goods move mainly within Finland or also abroad?
- Does the load need more surface area, or the most standardised size possible?
- Is this continuous use, a temporary need or a one-off delivery?
- Does the pallet also need a pallet collar, heat treatment or some other extra feature?
Once these things are clear, the right pallet type is usually quick to find. In practice, the choice often comes down to whether you are looking for the most widely used standard, more pallet surface, a cost-effective one-off solution or a smaller pallet, for example for use in shops.
When you want a standardised, widely recognised option: the EUR pallet
The EUR pallet is a natural basic solution for many companies when they want a familiar, standardised and widely used pallet. A EUR pallet measures 800 x 1200 mm, which makes it a very common choice for storage, transport and supply chains where compatibility matters. On Suomen Lavacenter’s website, EUR pallets (euro pallets) are highlighted as one of the key pallet types, and they are available new, used and heat-treated.
A EUR pallet is the right choice especially when goods pass between several different operators or when you want a standard size that is as easy to recognise as possible. It is also a good choice when the load does not need a particularly wide base and what matters most is a standard-compliant solution that works almost anywhere.
When you need more pallet surface: the FIN pallet
The FIN pallet is a very practical option in Finland when the load needs more space and a stable base. A FIN pallet measures 1000 x 1200 mm, so it is wider than a EUR pallet. Suomen Lavacenter describes the FIN pallet as a standardised pallet used in Finland that is suitable for transporting and storing goods.
A FIN pallet is a good choice when the load is wider, there are more products or you want the goods to sit as stably as possible. In many Finnish warehouses and supply chains, this extra space is exactly what makes the FIN pallet such a practical option. If your operations focus on domestic logistics, a FIN pallet may make more sense day to day than the narrower standard.
For one-off deliveries or a cost-effective solution: the one-way pallet
A one-way pallet suits situations where the pallet does not need to go into pallet exchange or be returned. In many cases a one-way pallet is a sensible solution when the delivery is a one-off, the load differs slightly from the usual or the aim is a cost-effective pallet solution without the need for a fully standardised model. In Suomen Lavacenter’s range, one-way pallets are among the basic solutions alongside EUR, FIN and half pallets.
Choose a one-way pallet when practicality and a good fit for your own use matter most. If the pallet does not need to come back to you, or if the load needs slightly more flexible dimensions, a one-way pallet can be a very effective solution.
When space is limited or goods go on display: small pallets and display pallets
Small pallets and display pallets work well in situations where a full-size pallet is unnecessarily large. A typical small pallet measures 400 x 600 mm and is used in shops and in industry across many different sectors. Small pallets like this are also called display pallets.
A smaller pallet is the right choice when you want to place goods efficiently in a small space, put them on display in a shop or handle them more easily than a full-size load. This makes small and display pallets very practical for promotions, displays, smaller deliveries and situations where load sizes are limited.
When you need a standard-size pallet for forklift use: the forklift pallet
A forklift pallet is a good solution when the load must be easy to handle with a forklift and you want a practical, standard-size option. Suomen Lavacenter’s forklift pallet range covers both new and used options, and EUR, FIN, one-way and half pallets are also available for forklift use. All forklift pallets are also available heat-treated.
Choose a forklift pallet when mechanical handling, smooth loading and unloading and practical compatibility with day-to-day warehouse work are the priority. If a company does a lot of repeated forklift handling, matching the pallet’s construction to its intended use quickly becomes important.
When should you add a pallet collar?
A pallet collar quickly makes an ordinary pallet more versatile. At Suomen Lavacenter, pallet collars are available for standard pallets such as EUR, FIN and half/display pallets. In practice, this means the same pallet can easily be turned into a storage, picking or packaging solution.
It is worth adding a pallet collar when you want to keep goods on the pallet in a tidy, safe and easy-to-handle form. It is a useful addition especially in warehouses, production, order picking and situations where the edges of the load need protection or structure.
New or used pallet?
Not every application needs a brand-new pallet. Suomen Lavacenter emphasises on its website that its range includes both new and recycled pallets and pallet collars, and that the company also buys used pallets back. The website also states that all pallets are inspected by hand and that repairing and recycling used pallets is part of the business.
A new pallet is a good option when you want a solution that is as clean and consistent in quality as possible. A used pallet, on the other hand, can be a very cost-effective choice when the application does not require an as-new appearance or exactly the same quality level in every pallet. In many companies, a used pallet is precisely the sensible combination of price and performance.
The most common mistakes when choosing a pallet
One of the most common mistakes is choosing a pallet on price alone. The cheapest option is not the most sensible one if it does not suit the size of the load, the handling method or the operating environment. Another common mistake is choosing a pallet that is too small or too large. Both can cause needless hassle in everyday work.
Mistakes also happen when nobody considers the condition of a used pallet, or whether a pallet collar, heat treatment or some other practical extra is needed. That is why the right pallet should be chosen based on the whole picture: what is being loaded, how it is handled, where it is delivered and how often the pallet is used.
Quick selection guide: which pallet suits which purpose?
| Need | Recommended solution | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| A standardised, widely recognised pallet size | EUR pallet | Works well in many supply chains and is widely recognised |
| More pallet surface and domestic use | FIN pallet | The wider size gives the load more space and stability |
| A one-off delivery or a cost-effective solution | One-way pallet | Suits situations where the pallet does not need to be returned or circulated in pallet exchange |
| Small space, shop use or display | Small pallet / display pallet | The small size makes placement and display easier |
| Repeated forklift handling | Forklift pallet | Smooth forklift handling and standard-size options for different needs |
| Storage, picking or extra protection for the load | Pallet collar on top of the pallet | Quickly turns the pallet into a more versatile storage solution |
If your customer requires a CP pallet, the choice has been made for you: a CP pallet used in the chemical and plastics industries cannot be replaced with a EUR or FIN pallet. Read more in the article CP pallet vs EUR pallet.
Summary: choose the right pallet according to its use
There is no single rule for choosing the right pallet; the choice depends on what you need it for. If you want a standardised, well-known option, the EUR pallet is often the right solution. If you need more pallet surface and a practical option for domestic use, the FIN pallet may be better. A one-way pallet suits one-off or cost-conscious needs, small and display pallets suit smaller loads and displays, a forklift pallet suits smooth mechanical handling, and a pallet collar is the answer when you want to store goods more safely and tidily.
The best results come when the choice of pallet is driven by the practical work. When the pallet suits its application from the start, storage, transport and handling also work better.
Not sure which pallet suits your business? Suomen Lavacenter helps you choose the right solution and delivers pallets quickly to meet your needs.
Frequently asked questions about choosing the right pallet
The right pallet is chosen based on the size and weight of the load, the handling method, storage and the supply chain. The most important thing is to think about what the pallet will be used for and whether you need a standard size, more pallet surface or, for example, a smaller pallet for display.
Choose a EUR pallet when you want a standardised, widely recognised pallet type that fits easily into many supply chains.
A FIN pallet is often better when you need more pallet surface, more stability and a practical solution for domestic logistics.
Choose a one-way pallet when the delivery is a one-off, the pallet does not need to be returned to pallet exchange or the aim is a cost-effective and practical solution.
A small pallet or display pallet is well suited to smaller loads, use in shops, displays and situations where a full-size pallet would be unnecessarily large.
It depends on the intended use. A new pallet suits situations where consistent quality and a clean appearance are wanted. A used pallet, on the other hand, can be a very cost-effective option when its condition has been checked and it suits the planned use.
