Direct answer. Palletizing is the operation of arranging and securing products or parcels on a pallet according to a precise loading pattern (the stacking plan), to obtain a stable, uniform load optimized for storage, handling and transport. It directly determines the number of parcels that can be transported and the safety of the load.
A loading plan, not just a stack
Palletizing well doesn't mean stacking parcels at random: it means distributing the weight, respecting the allowed overhang, and ensuring interlocking between successive layers. The most common technique alternates the orientation of each layer (cross-stacking), which mechanically locks the load and reduces the risk of collapse or slippage during transport. The choice of pallet also affects the result: the EPAL Euro-pallet (1200 x 800 mm) remains the reference in France, with an empty weight of around 25 kg, a dynamic load rating of around 1,500 kg and a static load rating of up to 4,000 kg under stable stacking; the American/ISO format (1200 x 1000 mm) is also used, particularly for exports.
Palletizing directly determines a truck's loading capacity: a standard semi-trailer generally holds 33 Euro-pallets placed on the floor in a single layer. Optimizing the palletizing plan, by avoiding gaps and accounting for the vehicle's maximum height, therefore reduces the number of truck trips needed for a given volume of goods.
Once the pallet is built, it's held together with suitable securing: stretch film, a shrink hood or strapping, depending on the product's fragility, the stacking height and the transport distance. Palletizing is distinct from the packing configuration, which concerns boxing products upstream, and from truck loading, which then organizes the pallets relative to one another inside the trailer.
FAQ
How many pallets fit in a semi-trailer?
A standard semi-trailer generally carries 33 Euro-pallets (1,200 x 800 mm) placed on the floor in a single layer, with no stacking. This reference figure is used to calculate the number of trucks needed for a flow of palletized goods, before considering any two-tier stacking.
What is the maximum load of a Euro-pallet?
A Euro-pallet (EPAL) has a dynamic load rating of around 1,500 kg in everyday use and a static load rating of up to 4,000 kg at rest, under stable stacking. These reference values should always be checked against the pallet's actual condition and the manufacturer's recommendations.
How do you properly palletize a load?
Good palletizing distributes weight evenly, alternates the layer orientation (cross-stacking) to lock the load in place, keeps within the allowed overhang, and uses suitable securing, stretch film, a shrink hood or strapping, depending on the product's fragility and the transport distance.
Related terms
Packing configuration · UVC / UM · SKU · Packing · Pallet racking · Cross-docking · Warehouse / logistics platform.
See also: Euro-pallet dimensions, how many pallets per truck.
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