The 3-runner plastic pallet is offered in two formats: American (120 × 100 cm) and European (120 × 80 cm), both in blue and made from virgin plastic with high UV protection. Both are 4-way (forklift entry from all four sides) and share a static load capacity of 4,000 kg, but differ in dynamic capacity and rack load. The choice between American and European depends on your company's logistics system, your customers, and storage modulation.
🎯 Choose the variant in 10 seconds
- If your case involves trade with the USA, 40′ containers, or large unit-sold products: go to the American variant (120 × 100 cm)
- If your case involves trade with Europe, compact storage, or European racking: go to the European variant (120 × 80 cm)
What to consider before choosing a variant
Both variants share construction (3 runners), material (virgin plastic), color (blue), entry type (4-way), weight (14.3 kg), and high UV protection. The choice is based on the logistics system and load capacities:
- Logistics system of origin and destination: the American format (120 × 100 cm) is standard in the USA, Mexico, Central America, and most Caribbean countries, including the Dominican Republic. The European format (120 × 80 cm) is the EUR/EPAL standard in the European Union. If you export or import, align with the destination standard to optimize container loading.
- Container optimization: a 40′ (12.03 m) sea container can hold 20 American pallets on the floor or 25 European pallets. A 20′ (6.06 m) container can hold 10 American or 11 European pallets. If your cargo is already palletized on European pallets, maintaining the format avoids costly repalletizing at the border.
- Rack storage: the American pallet has a higher rack load capacity (1,000 kg) than the European (800 kg). This is important in warehouses with selective racking where the pallet rests only on the stringers. If the load exceeds 800 kg per pallet and goes on a rack, prefer the American.
- Dynamic load: during transport and handling with forklifts, the American pallet supports up to 1,500 kg and the European up to 1,000 kg. For heavy goods such as beverages, cement bags, or chemical products, this difference is important. For light goods (textiles, cardboard, dry products), both variants are suitable.
- Box and product modulation: the width of the pallet conditions the modulation of the boxes you stack. Boxes designed in a 600 × 400 mm module fit perfectly on the European pallet (four boxes per level without overlap). Boxes in an American module of 24 × 16 in (610 × 406 mm) stack better on the 120 × 100 format.
American variant (120 × 100 cm): the standard for America and dynamic loads
- Logistics standard in America and the Caribbean
- Larger usable area: 1.20 m² per pallet
- Dynamic load 1,500 kg
- Rack load 1,000 kg
- Larger occupied area in the warehouse
- Fewer pallets per sea container
The American pallet is the logistics standard for companies operating in the USA, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, including the Dominican market. Its usable area of 1.20 m² accommodates boxes in the American module and allows dynamic loads up to 1,500 kg, making it suitable for heavy goods such as beverages, construction materials, or chemical products. The rack load capacity of 1,000 kg makes it compatible with most industrial racking installations.
European variant (120 × 80 cm): compact for Europe and dense storage
- Logistics standard in the European Union
- Optimizes pallets per sea container
- Fits modular 600 × 400 mm boxes
- Better use of space in European warehouses
- Dynamic load 1,000 kg (33 % less than American)
- Rack load 800 kg
- Smaller usable area: 0.96 m² per pallet
The European pallet is the standard for companies with trade flows to the European Union or storage facilities designed in the EUR module. Its smaller width optimizes the number of pallets per sea container and fits perfectly with 600 × 400 mm modular boxes common in pharmaceuticals, food, and consumer goods. For companies with compact warehouses where cost per m² matters, the European format allows for more references in the same space.
Comparison table of variants
Both variants share construction (3 runners), material, color, entry type, and weight. The difference lies in the dimensions and, associated with this, in the dynamic and rack load capacity.
| Feature | American | European |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal use | America and Caribbean | Europe and dense storage |
| SKU | 562100 | 654231 |
| Dimensions (length × width) | 120 × 100 cm (48 × 40 in) | 120 × 80 cm (48 × 32 in) |
| Construction | 3 runners | 3 runners |
| Material | Virgin plastic | Virgin plastic |
| Color | Blue | Blue |
| Fork entries | 4-way | 4-way |
| Static load | 4,000 kg | 4,000 kg |
| Dynamic load | 1,500 kg | 1,000 kg |
| Rack load | 1,000 kg | 800 kg |
| Unit weight | 14.3 kg | 14.3 kg |
| UV protection | Yes (high) | Yes (high) |
| Usable surface | 1.20 m² | 0.96 m² |
Use case matrix → recommended variant
| If your case is… | Recommended variant |
|---|---|
| Export products to the USA, Mexico, or the Caribbean | → American |
| Heavy unit load (beverages, construction materials) | → American |
| Warehouse with rack and loads over 800 kg | → American |
| Export products to the European Union | → European |
| Warehouse with 600 × 400 mm modular boxes | → European |
| Light or medium load in compact warehouse | → European |
If your company operates with mixed clients, the most efficient approach is to standardize on the dominant format (American for the DR/US market, European if mainly exporting to the EU) and keep a reserve of the other format for clients who require it. Changing pallets at the border or in the client's warehouse is costly (labor, stretch wrapping, risk of cargo damage). If you are unsure which format your client requires, ask for written specification before palletizing the cargo.
Do not exceed declared loads by relying on the pallet "looking sturdy." Static (4,000 kg), dynamic (1,500 / 1,000 kg), and rack (1,000 / 800 kg) load capacities are limits measured under test conditions; exceeding them drastically reduces service life and increases the risk of failure during handling. If your load exceeds limits, consider higher capacity models such as 9-runner or reinforced pallets.
American or European for your operation?
Tell us which market you export to or import from, the weight per load unit, the module of boxes you stack, and if you use racking in your warehouse. You will receive the exact format recommendation and quantity based on estimated rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 runners or 9 runners?
The 3-runner pallet (this product) has three longitudinal stringers on the base, making it lighter and more economical. The 9-runner pallet has a 3 × 3 grid that provides greater stability and supports larger point loads. For goods in standard boxes and operation with conventional forklifts, 3 runners are sufficient. For loads with small or irregular bases, or when handled with a manual pallet jack, 9 runners offer better performance.
Is virgin plastic important?
Yes. Virgin plastic offers consistent and certified mechanical properties, while recycled plastic can show variability in strength and UV behavior. For applications with sanitary requirements (food, pharma) or outdoor exposure, virgin plastic is the standard choice and complies with regulations. Furthermore, virgin plastic pallets have a more predictable service life and are safer for long-term rack use.
What are the advantages of plastic over wood?
Plastic pallets do not require ISPM-15 phytosanitary treatment for international export, do not splinter, do not accumulate moisture or fungi, do not generate waste, are lighter (14.3 kg vs 25–30 kg for a wooden pallet) and have a longer service life (5–10 years). It is the preferred option in the pharmaceutical, food, and international logistics industries. The initial investment is higher than for wood, but the cost per use over time is usually lower.