Pallet shipping costs depend mainly on the distance, weight, pallet size, height and stackability. On top of that come additional services such as a tail lift, delivery notification or express delivery. If you want to ship a pallet, you will only get a reliable price with exact details: the FulFra price calculator shows you the fixed price instantly and without an account.
What pallet shipping costs depend on
A pallet price is not a flat rate. Carriers and groupage networks calculate it from several factors that work together. A light, flat pallet on a short route costs considerably less than a heavy, tall pallet that must not be stacked and has to be delivered to an island. The most important price factors are:
- Distance between the pickup and delivery address
- Weight of the shipment including pallet and packaging
- Pallet type and footprint
- Height of the loaded pallet
- Stackability
- Conditions at the loading and unloading point
- Transit time and chosen service level
- Additional services such as delivery notification, tail lift or customs clearance
Distance and postcode area
The basis of every price is the route from the pickup postcode to the delivery postcode. Many tariffs work with zones or distance bands. Within Germany, location plays a role alongside distance: a delivery in a business park next to a motorway is easier for the driver than an address in a narrow city centre or in a remote region. For shipments to other European countries, longer distances, tolls and possibly ferry connections are added. For countries outside the EU, such as Switzerland, the United Kingdom or Turkey, you also need customs documents and customs clearance.
Weight
What counts is the actual gross weight: goods, packaging, stretch film and the pallet itself. An empty euro pallet already weighs around 25 kg. Many tariffs are structured in weight bands, so just a few kilograms over a threshold can change the price. If a shipment is light but bulky, the carrier often charges not by weight but by the space it occupies in the truck. How this works is explained in our blog.
Pallet type and footprint
The footprint determines how much loading space your shipment occupies. The euro pallet with 120 × 80 cm is the standard. An industrial pallet with 120 × 100 cm needs more space, a half pallet with 80 × 60 cm less. Overhang is also important: if the goods protrude beyond the edge of the pallet, the actual outer edge counts. Details on dimensions and load capacity can be found in the article Euro pallet dimensions, weight and load capacity.
Height
Height is often underestimated. A truck has a limited internal height. If your pallet is tall, no other pallet fits on top, and the entire pallet space up to the ceiling is occupied. Many groupage networks therefore work with height bands or a maximum height per pallet. The exact limits differ by network and vehicle. Always measure the height including the pallet.
Stackability
A stackable pallet shares its pallet space with a second pallet on top. A non-stackable pallet blocks the space above it, because sensitive goods, an uneven surface or a pointed load do not allow any top load. You pay for this unused space. So state honestly whether your pallet is stackable, and clearly label non-stackable pallets.
Additional services that change the pallet price
Besides the basic data of the shipment, services at the pickup and delivery address affect the price. Clarify these points before booking, not on the day of pickup.
Tail lift
If the pickup or delivery address has no loading dock and no forklift, the truck needs a tail lift. It lifts the pallet from the ground onto the loading area or lowers it again. This often applies to shops, offices, trade businesses and private addresses. Not every vehicle has a tail lift. If it is needed but not ordered, the driver often cannot collect or deliver the shipment.
Delivery notification
A delivery notification is the announcement of the delivery to the recipient, by phone or electronically. Many warehouses, construction sites and retailers only accept goods after prior notification or in fixed time slots. A delivery notification usually costs extra, but prevents failed delivery attempts.
Express and fixed dates
Express delivery is faster than the standard run in the groupage network and costs correspondingly more. The same applies to deliveries on a fixed date or in a specific time slot, because the carrier has to plan its route around it. If your date is not urgent, you save with a slower service level.
Islands and hard-to-reach areas
Deliveries to islands, for example in the North Sea, the Baltic Sea or the Mediterranean, need a ferry connection. This extends the transit time and usually leads to a surcharge. The same applies to areas with restricted access, for example car-free towns or mountain regions. For such addresses, check in advance whether and how delivery is possible.
Other services
- Delivery to private individuals: often requires a tail lift and delivery notification and is therefore more expensive than delivery to a business address with a loading dock.
- Dangerous goods: goods covered by the ADR regulations must be declared and labelled as dangerous goods and transported by drivers licensed for this.
- Customs clearance: for shipments to or from countries outside the EU.
- Pallet exchange: if an exchange is agreed, the recipient returns equivalent empty pallets. Without an agreement, the pallet usually stays with the recipient.
How to get an exact price for your pallet
An exact price requires exact data. Go through these steps before every request:
- Measure: length, width and height at the widest and highest point, including the pallet and any overhang.
- Weigh: the gross weight including pallet, packaging and film. An estimate is not enough.
- Define stackability: may a second pallet be placed on yours?
- Check loading points: is there a loading dock, a forklift or a pallet jack at the pickup and delivery address? Can a truck reach the address?
- Clarify the address type: business address or private address?
- Choose the transit time: how quickly does the shipment need to arrive?
- Select additional services: delivery notification, tail lift, customs clearance or other services you really need.
With these details, calculate your price in the price calculator. It shows a fixed price instantly and without an account, for parcels, groupage, pallets and full truckloads within Germany, in Europe and to Turkey. You choose between the service levels Eco, Super-Eco and Express and can add optional services, for example customs clearance, to the quote. Prices apply to business customers, net plus VAT. To book a quote, register for free on app.fulfra.com.
Common mistakes that cause surcharges
Most subsequent surcharges are not caused by the carrier, but by incorrect or missing details at the time of booking. These are the most common mistakes:
- Dimensions without overhang: the pallet is measured, not the goods that protrude ten centimetres beyond it. This becomes apparent when re-measured at the transhipment hub.
- Height without pallet: the pallet itself is around 14.4 cm high. If you only measure the goods, you quickly end up in the wrong height band.
- Estimated weight: deviations are charged afterwards. Weigh the finished shipment.
- Missing "non-stackable" note: if a non-stackable pallet is booked as stackable, it will either be damaged or charged afterwards.
- Forgotten tail lift: without a loading dock, the driver cannot load or unload without a tail lift. A second delivery attempt costs extra.
- Private address booked as business address: delivery to private individuals has different conditions.
- Shipment not ready for pickup: if the pallet is not fully packed and labelled when the driver arrives, waiting time or an empty run may be charged.
- Poor load securing: loose cartons, missing edge protectors or too little film lead to damage and disputes about liability. Secure the goods with enough film, strapping and edge protection.
When a pallet is not the best solution
Not every shipment belongs on a pallet. A few light cartons are usually cheaper to send as parcels. Many parcel services accept parcels up to 31.5 kg. Conversely, from a certain volume a part load or full truckload pays off, because the truck then drives directly and the shipment is not transhipped several times. Where the limits roughly lie is explained in our blog. An overview of all transport types can be found on our freight and transport page.
Transit times for pallet shipping in Germany and Europe
Within Germany, a pallet shipment with FulFra is usually delivered in 1 to 3 working days. In other European countries, the transit time depends on distance, destination region and service level. For the Turkey corridor, expect typically 4 to 6 working days by road, including customs clearance and documents. For shipments outside the EU, allow time for the customs documents. Which documents you need depends on the destination country and the goods.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a pallet?
It depends on distance, weight, dimensions, height, stackability and additional services. There is no universal price. In the price calculator you see a fixed price instantly with your details, without an account.
Does the pallet weight count towards the shipment weight?
Yes. The gross weight including pallet, packaging and film is charged. An empty euro pallet weighs around 25 kg.
Why is a non-stackable pallet more expensive?
Because no other freight can be placed on top of it. It occupies the pallet space up to the ceiling of the truck, and the carrier cannot use this space otherwise.
When do I need a tail lift?
Whenever there is no loading dock and no forklift at the pickup or delivery address. This is often the case for private addresses, shops and small businesses.
Can I send a pallet to a private individual?
Yes, that is possible. As a rule, plan for a tail lift and a delivery notification, and check whether the truck can reach the address.
Would you like to know what your pallet costs? Enter dimensions, weight and route in the price calculator and see the fixed price instantly, without an account.