That's all you need to know about pallet performance testing.

Tray It is the most fundamental operational unit in the logistics process, playing a critical role in efficiently connecting and seamlessly integrating key stages such as cargo transportation, warehousing turnover, loading and unloading, and delivery distribution. At the same time, it is also highly significant for enhancing logistics operational efficiency and reducing logistics costs.

In recent years, as the logistics industry has experienced rapid growth, pallet structures have been steadily optimized and are now used extensively in logistics transportation. To ensure that pallets continue to play their critical role in logistics operations, many customers are now requiring their suppliers to conduct performance tests on the pallets.

Recently, the Zhongshan Laboratory of the China Packaging Research and Testing Center has received numerous inquiries regarding pallet testing projects. At the same time, we’ve engaged in extensive discussions with many clients to clarify the commonly used testing methods and standards for pallets. Drawing on our years of expertise in pallet testing, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide summarizing the standard testing protocols for various types of pallets—aligned with both nationally recommended pallet standards and the most frequently applied testing criteria. This resource is designed to help customers easily select the right testing standards tailored to their specific pallet structure and performance needs, ultimately helping them reduce pallet-testing costs.

Types of pallets

Today, the logistics industry offers a wide variety of pallet types, which can be categorized by material, size, shape, and more. Depending on the material, pallets are divided into wooden pallets, paper pallets, plastic pallets, wood-plastic composite pallets, metal pallets, and others—each material bringing its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Classification	Advantages	Disadvantage
Wooden pallet	Low cost, high strength, and wide range of applications.	Poor recyclability, high recycling costs, and a short service life. Prone to moisture damage, susceptible to insect decay, and easily contaminated—international restrictions are high.
Paper tray	Lightweight, compression-resistant, earthquake-proof, easy to recycle and biodegrade, with a smooth, flat surface that provides vibration damping and cushioning—plus it requires no fumigation, is cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.	High cost per use, limited application scope, and waterproof. 、 Poor moisture resistance, with various physical and mechanical performance indicators Label Poor—such as compressive strength, flexural performance, and surface characteristics Puncture resistance, corner load-bearing capacity, and more.
Plastic pallet	Easy to design, highly stable, lightweight, and cost-effective Eco-friendly features such as being affordable, fumigation-free, water- and moisture-resistant, recyclable, and environmentally sustainable.	The production process is relatively complex and comes with higher costs.
Wood-Plastic Composite Pallet	Durable, with a long service life, excellent stability, resistant to cracking, easy to process and mold, highly dimensionally stable, corrosion-resistant, highly absorbent, recyclable, and requiring minimal maintenance and upkeep costs.	In the initial stage, the scale is small. , low production capacity, outdated production line equipment, especially for complete product lines Due to shortages, product availability is limited. Quality Not high in quality, limited in variety, and lacking market competitiveness.
Metal tray	It features flexible and versatile structures, wide applicability, and a long reuse cycle, making warehousing operations environmentally friendly, cost-effective, safe, and highly efficient.	Heavy, expensive, and difficult to repair.

Common industry requirements for pallet selection

When selecting pallets, companies need to consider numerous factors, most of which are closely tied to the industry they operate in. Different industries have slightly varying and specific performance requirements for pallets, as outlined in the table below.

Industry	Performance Requirements	Pallet Selection
Grocery items	Health, Carrying Capacity	Plastic pallets, wooden pallets, paper pallets
Beverages	Health, Carrying Capacity	Plastic pallets, wooden pallets
Dairy products	Health, Carrying Capacity	Plastic pallets, paper pallets
Paper products	Load-bearing, moisture-proof, insect-resistant, and scratch-proof	Wooden pallets, plastic pallets
Mechanical	Load-bearing capacity, rust prevention	Wooden pallets, paper pallets
Electronic	Load-bearing capacity, antistatic properties, and rust prevention	Wood-plastic composite pallets, plastic pallets, wooden pallets
Chemical industry	Load-bearing capacity, anti-static	Wooden pallets, plastic pallets, wood-plastic composite pallets
Car	Load-bearing capacity, rust prevention	Wooden pallets, metal pallets, paper pallets
Architecture	Load-bearing capacity	Wooden pallets, plastic pallets, metal pallets
Military supplies	Load-bearing capacity	Metal tray

China's Recommended Standard Pallets

With the growth of global trade, countries and regions have begun standardizing pallet specifications to reduce trade barriers in the flow of international goods. The following table outlines the commonly recommended pallet standards in China over recent years, along with their respective application scopes.

Standard Name	Scope of Application
GB/T 2934-2007 "Main Dimensions of Intermodal Standard Pallets And Tolerances》	Universal flat pallets suitable for combined transport across road, rail, and waterways
GB/T 4995-2014 "Performance Requirements for Intermodal Standard Pallets "Selection and Experimentation"	Design, production, inspection, and use of universal pallets suitable for combined transport across road, rail, and waterways
GB/ T 4996-2014 "General Test Method for Intermodal Flat Pallets"	Design, production, inspection, and use of universal pallets suitable for combined transport across road, rail, and waterways
GB/T 10486-1989 "Railway Freight Steel Flat Pallet"	Suitable for steel pallets used internally by railways and between railways and shippers, as well as for intermodal steel pallets.
GB/T 15234-1994 "Plastic Flat Pallets"	Suitable for use with high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and other primary materials. Apparently, Single- and double-sided plastic pallets capable of two-way or four-way entry, with a load capacity of 100 kg.
GB/T 18832-2002 "Box-Type and Post-Type Pallets"	Suitable for reusable box-type and post-style pallets
GB/T 19450-2004 "Paper-Based Pallets"	Suitable for the production, inspection, distribution, and use of paper-based pallets
GB/T 20077-2006 "Disposable Trays"	Suitable for the production, use, management, and inspection of disposable pallets
GB/T 23898-2009 "Artificial Board for Wooden Flat Pallets"	Wooden flat pallets suitable for use in indoor or outdoor conditions
GB/T 27915-2011 "Modular Plastic Pallet"	Suitable for modular plastic pallets made from raw materials such as high-density polyethylene and polypropylene.
GB/ T 30672-2014 "Compression Molded Pinto" Plate Plant Fiber Products	Suitable for plant-fiber molded flat pallets; molded flat pallets made from other materials can be implemented by reference.
GB/T 31081-2014 "Plastic Box-Type Pallet"	Suitable for plastics primarily made of high-density polyethylene, copolymer polypropylene, and similar materials. Plastic box-type pallets for raw materials—not suitable for drum or can-type pallets.
GB/T 31148-2014 "Intermodal Standard Pallet" Wooden Flat Pallet	Suitable for intermodal general-purpose wooden flat pallets, as well as wooden flat pallets repeatedly used in pallet-sharing systems; single-use pallets can also be implemented accordingly.

Common pallet inspection items and selection of inspection standards

When it comes to pallet usage across various industries, different companies also vary in their selection of pallet performance testing standards. To maximize the benefits of their own manufactured pallets, pallet producers conduct relevant performance tests tailored to meet customer needs. The table below outlines the common testing items and standards for standard pallets.

Trial Project	Selection Criteria
Tray dimensions	GB/T 2934-2007 , GB/T 20077-2006 , GB/T 4996-2014
Tray Appearance	GB/T 4995-2014 , GB/T 15234-1994
Pallet Stacking Test	GB/T 4996-2014 , GB/T 15234-1994 , GB/T 20077-2006
Flexural Test	GB/T 4996-2014 , GB/T 15234-1994 , GB/T 10486-1989
Bottom Deck Plate Test	GB/T 4996-2014 , GB/T 15234-1994
Load Test	GB/T 4996-2014 , GB/T 15234-1994
Wing Tray Test	GB/T 4996-2014
Shear Test	GB/T 4996-2014
Top Deck Edge Impact Test	GB/T 4996-2014
Pallet Impact Test	GB/T 4996-2014
Corner Drop Test	GB/T 4996-2014 , GB/T 15234-1994 , GB/T20077-2006
Compression Test of Shim Block (Longitudinal Beam)	GB/T 4996-2014 , GB/T 10486-1989
Impact Resistance Test for Decking Tiles	GB/T 4996-2014 , GB/T 10486-1989
Material Water Absorption Test	GB/T 1934.1–1991

In today’s e-commerce era, the ultimate goal of modern logistics services is to meet customer needs at the lowest possible total cost throughout the entire logistics process—efficiently moving products from supply points to demand centers in the most economical way. As the most fundamental operational unit in logistics transportation, pallets play a critical role. By adopting appropriate and effective pallet testing methods, companies can not only reduce pallet costs but also ensure their optimal utilization, ultimately driving the advancement of logistics and transportation.

Contact for Zhongshan Laboratory: Engineer Li, 18522564932

When it comes to corrugated cardboard boxes, these tests are sufficient.

Letter Soliciting Comments on the Draft National Standard "Specifications for Packaging and Transport of Cultural Relics"

When it comes to corrugated cardboard boxes, these tests are sufficient.

Letter Soliciting Comments on the Draft National Standard "Specifications for Packaging and Transport of Cultural Relics"

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