Pallet

A pallet is the fundamental unit of material handling in modern warehousing and logistics. Standard pallets measure 1200 x 1000 millimetres (the ISO standard used in the GCC) or 48 x 40 inches (the North American standard). Goods are stacked onto the pallet, secured with stretch wrap or strapping, and moved as a single unit using forklifts, pallet jacks, or automated handling equipment.

Palletisation enables efficient use of warehouse space (goods can be stacked vertically in racking systems), fast loading and unloading of trucks and containers, and standardised handling across the entire supply chain. Without pallets, goods would need to be handled individually — dramatically increasing labour costs, handling time, and damage risk.

Wooden pallets are the most common and cost-effective for single-use or domestic shipments. Plastic pallets are durable, hygienic, and preferred for pharmaceutical and food industries. Metal pallets handle heavy loads in industrial applications. Export pallets must comply with ISPM 15 heat treatment standards. In Qatar, wooden pallets dominate general cargo, while plastic pallets are increasingly required for food and pharma cold chain operations.