Choosing the right plastic pallet defines the entire logistics operation: warehouse speed, per-trip export cost, compliance with sanitary audits, and pallet lifespan in the circuit. Cargobo offers seven HDPE configurations designed for very distinct use cases: from disposable export pallets to anti-spill boxes for chemical drums. This comparison helps you decide which one fits your operation in under a minute.
🎯 Choose in 10 seconds
- If you store oil, chemical, or liquid drums with spill risk: go to Spill pallet
- If you handle agricultural bulk, assembly, or liquids with modular accessories: go to Box pallet
- If you operate reverse logistics with empty container returns: go to Folding box pallet
- If you work with intensive stacking, cold rooms, or bags on pallets: go to Reversible pallet
- If you export without return and need a lightweight ISPM-15 exempt pallet: go to One-way pallet
- If you operate an HACCP, GMP, or pharmaceutical certified plant with auditing: go to Hygienic pallet
- If you store on selective rack shelving with longitudinal beams: go to 3-runner pallet
What to consider before choosing
Before buying a pallet, evaluate these five criteria. They determine whether the pallet will fulfill its operational function for years or end up being replaced after a few cycles.
- Load and storage method: Storage in selective racks requires a 3-runner (stringer) pallet that rests on longitudinal beams. Block stacking tolerates flat or reversible pallets. Dangerous liquid loads require a spill containment sump with a calibrated pit.
- Type of operation: closed or export: Closed circuits (cold rooms, warehouses with high turnover) justify reversible pallets or lidded boxes for multiple cycles. Export without return requires a lightweight one-way pallet to minimize freight and be exempt from ISPM-15.
- Sanitary and regulatory requirements: Plants with HACCP, GMP, or ISO 22000 require a hygienic pallet made of washable virgin HDPE with a smooth surface that does not accumulate residue. Wood is a source of contamination that disqualifies audits.
- Need for modularity or accessories: Operations that move agricultural bulk, assembly, or liquids with valves need a box pallet with accessories (lid, wheels, discharge valve) that are purchased separately according to the operation.
- Storage space for empty pallets: Folding box pallets reduce their volume to 25% when folded, a decisive advantage for reverse logistics where empty packaging returns to its origin and truck space is costly.
Plastic spill pallet: retention sump for chemicals and drums
- Calibrated retention sump to capture drips and leaks
- Removable top grid that supports full industrial drums
- HDPE resistant to common oils, hydrocarbons, and chemicals
- Bottom drain for controlled emptying of contained liquid
- Single dimension (130×130×30 cm) for storage station
- Verify specific chemical compatibility with your product
130×130×30 cm (51×51×12 in) injection-molded HDPE platform with a collection sump base and removable top grid. Designed for mechanical workshops, industrial plants, chemical warehouses, and environments where spill containment is a regulatory requirement. The bottom drain allows liquid to be evacuated to the appropriate management container without needing to remove drums.
Plastic box pallet: modular bin for agricultural and industrial bulk
- Structural HDPE with continuous solid walls
- Modular system: lid, 5-wheel set, and discharge valve (optional)
- 4-way palletized base for forklifts and pallet jacks
- Continuous surface hygiene for the food industry
- Accessories are purchased separately depending on the operation
- Single American volume (120×100×76 cm) for defined circuits
120×100×76 cm (48×40×30 in) box pallet in grey, American format, made of structural HDPE. The base is purchased as a basic pallet, and accessories are added according to the operation: lid for stacking, 5-wheel set for manual mobility, discharge valve for controlled emptying of non-hazardous liquids. Designed for agricultural harvesting, assembly lines, and modular bulk logistics.
Folding plastic box pallet: optimized reverse logistics
- Folds to 25% of rigid volume when empty
- Structural HDPE with strong walls
- Quick manual locking system without tools
- Optional lid for stable stacking of full boxes
- Side locking mechanism requires periodic maintenance
- Only American format available (120×100×76 cm)
120×100×76 cm (48×40×30 in) folding box in green and grey, American format. The walls fold inwards after releasing the locks, multiplying the possible returns per truck in reverse logistics. Designed for e-commerce with packaging returns, agricultural harvesting with transport to the plant, grouping of bulk products, and export of fragmented goods protected by a complete structure.
Reversible plastic pallet: double-sided for intensive circuits
- Identical double-sided for interchangeable use
- Double anti-slip system (edges and surface texture)
- Calibrated drainage holes (leakage holes)
- Virgin HDPE suitable for cold rooms with repeated cycles
- No stringer geometry: not suitable for selective racks
- Only American dimension (120×100 cm) in blue
120×100 cm (48×40 in) reversible pallet in blue, American format. Both surfaces operate identically, eliminating the need to orient the pallet in fast operations and distributing wear to extend its actual lifespan. The textured flat base stacks on bags (sugar, flour, fertilizer, cement) without deforming them, a decisive advantage over block-based pallets.
One-way plastic pallet: lightweight export without return
- Optimized weight to reduce freight cost
- ISPM-15 exempt without phytosanitary procedures
- Significantly lower unit cost than returnable pallets
- Available in American (120×100) and European (120×80) formats
- Not designed for reuse in heavy-duty circuits
- Lower load capacity than structural pallets
Export pallet in black, available in American (120×100 cm) and European (120×80 cm) formats. Being 100% plastic, it is not subject to ISPM-15 regulation: it eliminates fumigation, IPPC marking, and phytosanitary certificates, avoiding customs retentions common with uncertified wooden pallets. Designed for one-way shipments, high-volume e-commerce, construction sites where the pallet remains at the destination, and humanitarian projects.
Hygienic plastic pallet: food-grade for sanitary auditing
- Food-grade virgin HDPE without migrating compounds
- Closed or controlled grid surface for easy washing
- Resists pressure water, steam at 80-90°C, and industrial disinfectants
- Constant tare weight for traceability and precise weighing
- Higher unit cost than standard plastic pallets
- Justifiable only where sanitary auditing is a requirement
Sanitary pallet in blue, available in American (120×100 cm) and European (120×80 cm) formats. Virgin HDPE is formulated with inert resins that comply with FDA, CE, and equivalent standards for indirect food contact. Designed for food and beverage processors, pharmaceutical laboratories, clean rooms, cold storage, and export of food products to markets with strict sanitary audits.
3-runner plastic pallet: stringers for rack shelving
- Three parallel runners calibrated for support on rack beams
- Monobloc HDPE without joints, nails, or loose elements
- Non-porous surface hygiene: pressure washable
- ISPM-15 exempt for international export
- Non-reversible geometry: one usable side
- Higher cost than one-way export pallets
3-runner pallet in blue, available in American (120×100 cm) and European (120×80 cm) formats. The continuous stringer geometry distributes weight over the longitudinal rack beams, a condition that block pallets do not guarantee and is critical for high-rise storage without risk of lateral falling. Designed for professional logistics operations with selective and push-back racks, food/pharmaceutical industry, export to USA/Europe, and cold rooms.
Comparative table
| Feature | Spill Pallet | Box Pallet | Foldable | Reversible | One way | Hygienic | 3-runner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal use | Chemical drums | Modular bulk | Reverse logistics | Cold room/sacks | Export | HACCP/GMP audit | Selective rack |
| Material | HDPE injection | Structural HDPE | Structural HDPE | Virgin HDPE | Optimized HDPE | Food-grade virgin HDPE | Monoblock HDPE |
| Available format | 130×130×30 cm | 120×100×76 cm (US) | 120×100×76 cm (US) | 120×100 cm (US) | 120×100 (US) and 120×80 (EU) | 120×100 (US) and 120×80 (EU) | 120×100 (US) and 120×80 (EU) |
| Color | — | Grey | Green and grey | Blue | Black | Blue | Blue |
| Stackable/Nestable | Yes (without grid) | Yes (with lid) | Yes (25% folded) | — | — | — | — |
| Suitable for selective racking | — | — | — | Limited | Limited | — | Yes — designed |
| Food-grade suitable | — | Limited | — | — | — | Yes — auditable | Yes |
| ISPM-15 Exempt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Modular accessories | Grid, drain | Lid, wheels, valve | Lid | — | — | — | — |
Use case matrix → recommended product
| If your case is… | Recommended product |
|---|---|
| Storing oil or chemical drums in a mechanical workshop | → Spill containment |
| Agricultural harvest with transport to processing plant | → Crate |
| Reverse logistics of empty packaging in e-commerce | → Foldable |
| Stacking sacks in a sugar mill or flour mill | → Reversible |
| Export to USA with pallet left at destination | → One way |
| Operation in certified food processing plant | → Hygienic |
| Warehouse with selective rack shelving | → 3-runner |
| Cold storage with continuous cold chain | → Reversible |
| Pharmaceutical distribution with GMP audit | → Hygienic |
| Industrial assembly line with modular handling | → Crate |
Before buying a pallet, define three pieces of information: the format (American 120×100 or European 120×80) required by your racks or export truck, the type of load (dangerous liquids, agricultural bulk, sacks, drums, boxes) that defines the appropriate geometry, and the operational cycle (single trip, closed loop, intensive rack storage). Combining an incorrect format with the type of operation is the most common reason pallets end up unused in the yard.
Do not use reversible or box pallets in selective rack shelving with support only on longitudinal beams. The base without stringers does not distribute the weight correctly over the beam and can give way, causing a lateral fall of the load with serious risk to the operator. For racks, always use 3-runner pallets (stringers) or pallets with geometry designed for that type of storage.
Don't know which plastic pallet is right for you?
If your operation combines several of the above cases (e.g., export with sanitary audit, or racking with cold storage), ask the virtual assistant with details of the logistics flow. You will receive an instant technical recommendation with the appropriate model and format.
All compared products
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the real difference between American and European formats?
The American format measures 120×100 cm (48×40 in) and is the logistics standard in the United States, Mexico, and much of the Caribbean. The European format measures 120×80 cm (48×32 in) and is the standard in Europe. Choose the format according to the destination of the goods or the racking system installed in your warehouse; mixing them creates space inefficiency in trucks and racks.
What does 'ISPM-15 exempt' mean and why does it matter?
ISPM-15 is the international phytosanitary standard that requires heat treatment or fumigation of wood packaging for export, in addition to certified IPPC marking. Plastic pallets, not being wood, are automatically exempt: they do not require treatment or certification, eliminating common customs delays and fumigation costs.
Can I use a box pallet to stack hazardous liquids?
No. Standard box pallets do not have a containment sump: any spill would fall to the floor and compromise environmental and safety regulations. For hazardous liquids, chemicals, or oils, use a spill containment pallet with a calibrated retention sump, which captures drips and leaks before they reach the ground.