What Is a Pallet Network? How Groupage Pallet Services Work in Europe

A pallet network is a shared carrier infrastructure in which independent hauliers pool pallet-sized consignments through a central hub, so that one or two palletised items can move across Europe at full-truckload efficiency without booking a full truck. According to Eurostat freight transport statistics published in 2026, road remains the only inland freight mode whose share of EU tonne-kilometres has grown over the past decade, and palletised less-than-truckload movement is the segment growing fastest within it as e-commerce and just-in-time supply chains push shippers toward smaller, more frequent loads. This guide explains how the hub-and-spoke model works, which pallet types European networks accept, how long delivery takes, what it costs, how a pallet network differs from full-truckload (FTL) and standard groupage, and how to book a collection.

What is a pallet network and how does it differ from standard groupage?

A pallet network is a membership-based system of independent transport companies that agree to handle each other's freight under a single shared brand and a single set of operating rules. Each member acts as both a collection agent in its own region and a delivery agent for pallets arriving from elsewhere. The network operator runs the central hub or hubs where freight is sorted, and sets the standards for labelling, handling, and tracking.

This is distinct from standard groupage, also called less-than-truckload (LTL). General groupage freight consolidates mixed cargo - cartons, crates, irregular items - by weight and volume into curtainsider trucks, often without a fixed unit of measure. A pallet network standardises everything around a single handling unit: the pallet. Because every consignment sits on a forklift-ready base of known footprint, the network can price, sort, and track at high speed and predictable cost. In practice the difference is standardisation. Groupage is flexible but slower and harder to track; a pallet network trades flexibility for speed, predictability, and end-to-end visibility.

Pallet space inside the trunk vehicle is calculated using the loading metre (LDM) , the standard road-freight measure of how much truck-floor length a consignment occupies. A standard Euro pallet loaded crossways consumes a known fraction of an LDM, which is what allows networks to convert physical pallets into priced "spaces" so consistently.

How does a pallet network work? Hub-and-spoke explained

Pallet networks run on a hub-and-spoke model, the same principle that lets express parcel carriers move millions of items overnight. The flow has four stages.

1. Collection (spoke). A local member depot collects your pallet from your premises within its regional catchment.
2. Trunk haul to the hub. That depot consolidates the day's outbound freight and line-hauls it overnight to a central hub.
3. Sorting at the hub. Pallets from every depot arrive at the hub, are scanned, and are re-sorted by destination region, then reloaded onto outbound trunk vehicles.
4. Trunk haul out and final delivery (spoke). The pallet travels to the depot nearest its destination, which makes the final-mile delivery.

The economic logic is consolidation. By pooling everyone's pallets through a shared hub, no single member has to send a half-empty truck across the country. Research by the Association of Pallet Networks found that the hub-and-spoke model raises average vehicle fill to 73 percent, against a logistics-industry average of 51 percent, and removes an estimated 800 vehicles from the roads each day. That higher fill rate is exactly why a shipper can move one pallet for a fraction of the cost - and a fraction of the carbon - of a dedicated truck.

The network operator coordinates the standards; the members own the vehicles and the customer relationships. Palletways , founded in 1994 and now part of DP World, runs more than 350 member depots with hub operations across 20 European countries. Pall-Ex operates a comparable model through more than 450 independent logistics companies. The pattern repeats across the continent: TransOFlex in Germany with a pharma focus, DHL Freight Eurapallet, and the Geodis European LTL network all run variations on the same hub-and-spoke design.

What pallet types and sizes are accepted on European pallet networks?

European networks build their pricing and handling around a small set of standard footprints. The dominant one is the EUR or EPAL pallet, governed by the European Pallet Association .

• EUR/EPAL-1 (standard Euro pallet): 800 x 1200 mm, weighing roughly 25 kg empty, with four-way forklift entry and a rated dynamic load of up to 1,500 kg. This is the default unit most networks quote against.
• Half-pallet (EUR 6): 800 x 600 mm. Priced lower because it occupies half the floor space.
• Quarter-pallet: 600 x 400 mm. The smallest standard unit on most networks.
• Industrial pallet (EUR 2 / EUR 3): 1000 x 1200 mm. A larger block footprint common for liquids, drums, and bulk goods.

How long does pallet network delivery take across Europe?

Transit time depends on whether the move is domestic or cross-border. Within a single country, the overnight trunk haul through the hub means most pallet networks offer next-day or two-day delivery as standard, with timed and premium options layered on top. Domestic UK, German, French, and Polish networks all operate on this overnight rhythm.

Cross-border European movements take longer because they may pass through more than one national hub and clear any applicable customs or documentation steps. As a realistic planning range, expect two to five working days for a cross-border pallet within the EU, depending on the lane and the service level chosen. A pallet from Germany to France will sit at the faster end of that range; a peripheral lane such as Portugal to Finland will sit at the slower end. Tracking is issued at collection in every case, so the consignment is visible from pickup to proof of delivery regardless of how many hubs it crosses.

Pallet network vs FTL: when should you use each?

The choice between a pallet network, full-truckload, and standard groupage comes down to volume, urgency, and how much visibility you need. The table below summarises the practical trade-offs. For a deeper treatment of the full-versus-part-load decision, see the FTL vs LTL guide .

The rule of thumb most dispatchers use: if your goods are on standard pallets and you have roughly one to six of them per destination, a pallet network is almost always the cheapest and most trackable option. Once you are filling more than half a trailer to a single destination, FTL becomes more economical because you stop paying the hub-handling overhead. Standard groupage fills the gap for freight that does not palletise cleanly.

What does pallet network delivery cost in Europe, and what drives the price?

Pallet networks price by the pallet space, adjusted for weight band and lane. A light full pallet on a busy domestic lane is the cheapest unit; a heavy pallet on a long cross-border lane is the most expensive. As an indicative guide, domestic deliveries within a single European country commonly fall in the region of EUR 20 to EUR 60 per pallet, while a cross-border movement such as Germany to France typically runs from around EUR 80 to EUR 150 per pallet depending on the weight class. These are directional figures; actual quotes move with fuel, lane balance, and service level. For a fuller breakdown of the variables, see our guide to pallet shipping costs in Europe .

Three factors drive the number. First, pallet count and size - a half-pallet costs less than a full one because it consumes less floor space. Second, weight band - networks set tiers, and crossing into a higher band raises the rate even if the footprint is unchanged. Third, lane - balanced, high-volume lanes are cheaper than thin or peripheral routes where the trunk vehicle may run empty in one direction. The growth of the segment is keeping competition keen: trade-press data from Motor Transport reported that the UK's eight major networks moved more than 7.2 million pallets in a single quarter of 2025, up 3.4 percent year on year, an indicator of how mainstream the model has become.

How do you book a pallet network collection?

Booking a pallet network shipment follows a consistent sequence whether you go through a carrier portal, a freight broker, or your own system.

1. Measure and weigh the pallet. Record footprint, total height, and gross weight so you book the correct pallet type and weight band.
2. Select the service. Choose economy, next-day, timed, or tail-lift delivery, and confirm the destination postcode is within network coverage.
3. Generate the consignment note and labels. The system produces a barcode label that the hub scanner reads at every sortation point.
4. Arrange collection. The local member depot collects within the booked window.
5. Track to delivery. A tracking number is issued at collection, and proof of delivery is captured on the final-mile leg.

Most shippers automate this through a transport management system that connects directly to network booking portals or APIs, so consignment notes, labels, and tracking updates flow without manual re-keying. For occasional shippers, a carrier's own web portal or a freight broker handles the same steps without any integration work.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a pallet network and a courier?

A courier moves parcels - small, boxed items handled individually and usually carried by hand. A pallet network moves palletised freight, where goods sit on a forklift-ready base and are handled mechanically. Pallet networks are built for consignments too large or heavy for parcel carriers but too small to justify a dedicated truck.

How many pallets can I send through a pallet network?

There is no strict upper limit, but the model is most cost-effective for roughly one to six pallets per destination. Above that volume, full-truckload haulage usually becomes cheaper per pallet because you avoid the hub-handling overhead. Most networks happily quote both options.

Is a pallet network cheaper than hiring a full truck?

For small consignments, yes, and substantially so. You pay only for the pallet spaces you use rather than the cost of an entire vehicle. The crossover point is roughly half a trailer to a single destination, beyond which full-truckload becomes more economical.

Do pallet networks deliver across borders within Europe?

Yes. Major networks such as Palletways and Pall-Ex operate hubs and member depots across multiple European countries, so a pallet booked in one country can be delivered in another through the same system. Cross-border transit typically takes two to five working days depending on the lane.

What pallet size should I use for a pallet network shipment?

The standard EUR/EPAL pallet at 800 x 1200 mm is the default and the easiest to price and handle. Networks also accept half-pallets, quarter-pallets, and larger industrial footprints, each priced according to the floor space consumed. Using a standard footprint avoids oversize surcharges.

Can I track a pallet network delivery?

Yes. A tracking number and barcode label are issued at collection, and the pallet is scanned at every hub sortation point and on final-mile delivery. End-to-end visibility from pickup to proof of delivery is one of the defining advantages of the pallet network model over general groupage.

What happens if my pallet is overloaded or oversized?

If a pallet exceeds the booked weight band or the network's height and overhang limits, it is reclassified at the hub and either surcharged or, in extreme cases, refused, because it cannot be safely stacked or moved through automated sortation. Measuring and weighing accurately before booking is the simplest way to avoid unexpected charges.

Ready to move palletised freight across Europe at network efficiency? Get a pallet freight quote and compare lanes, transit times, and service levels in one place.