American pallet: Dimensions, weight and characteristics

Do you know the definition and characteristics of the American pallet? In this new post on the FM Logistic blog you will discover all the details.

The American pallet, also known as the GMA (Grocery Manufacturers Association) pallet, is one of the most widely used pallet formats in North America. This type of pallet is essential in the logistics and transport of goods, especially in sectors such as food, where efficient and standardised handling of products is required. Unlike other types of pallets, such as the European or universal pallet, the American pallet has specific characteristics that make it ideal for certain markets and applications.

The American pallet is distinguished by its robust design and its capacity to support heavy loads. It is mainly made of wood, although plastic and metal versions are also available, depending on the specific needs of the supply chain. This pallet is known for its durability and strength, which makes it a reliable option for warehousing services and freight transport services of products.

Its main features include:

The American pallet has standard dimensions of 1,200x1000mm. These measurements make it slightly larger than the European pallet, which is advantageous in certain situations where a larger surface area is needed for loading.

The weight of an American wooden pallet varies depending on the type of wood and the humidity of the material, but on average, a pallet of these dimensions weighs around 30kg.

Measuring 1,200 x 800 mm, the European pallet is smaller than the American pallet. This difference in size makes each pallet more suitable for different types of loads and containers.

In general terms, the European pallet supports up to 1000kg of dynamic load while the American pallet supports 1200kg. Both types of pallet, in static load, are capable of carrying 4500kg, so this resistance is not a differentiating factor.