Sending a pallet for the first time can feel more complicated than it actually is. Most people are used to posting a parcel — you weigh it, print a label, hand it over. A pallet works on the same principle, just scaled up: you stack and wrap your goods onto a wooden base, book a collection, and a tail-lift vehicle does the heavy lifting. Get the packing and paperwork right and it is one of the cheapest, safest ways to move heavy or bulky goods across the country.
At Quickow we handle pallets every day from our Liverpool and Manchester bases, covering Warrington, St Helens, Wigan, Chester and the wider North West, as well as UK-wide runs. This guide walks you through exactly how to send a pallet in the UK in 2026 — from choosing the right pallet size to packing it so it survives the journey, and what it all costs.
Pallet basics: what you are actually sending
A “pallet” simply means your goods secured onto a flat wooden (or occasionally plastic) base that a forklift or pallet truck can lift. The base is standard; what varies is the height and weight of the load on top. Knowing which pallet size you need is the single biggest factor in getting an accurate quote.
Common UK pallet sizes
- Quarter pallet — up to roughly 60cm high and around 250kg. Ideal for a few heavy boxes, car parts or small machinery.
- Half pallet — up to about 80–100cm high and 500kg. A popular middle ground for retail stock or appliances.
- Full pallet — up to 220cm high and 1,000kg+. Standard UK footprint is 1200mm x 1000mm; a Euro pallet is 1200mm x 800mm.
- Oversized / light-but-bulky loads — items that fill the space without the weight, which carriers price on dimensions rather than kilos.
If you are unsure, measure the footprint and the total height once packed, and weigh it if you can. A quick photo helps too — our team can size it for you in seconds. For urgent or time-critical loads, our same-day pallet delivery UK service skips the network entirely and runs your pallet direct.
How to send a pallet in the UK: step by step
Here is the process we walk customers through, whether it is a one-off house-clearance load or a regular trade shipment.
- Choose your pallet size. Match the load to a quarter, half or full pallet using the guide above. When in doubt, size up slightly — an overhanging or over-height pallet can be refused or surcharged.
- Stack and distribute the weight. Heaviest items on the bottom, lighter on top, weight spread evenly across the base. Keep everything within the footprint of the pallet — nothing should overhang the edges.
- Secure and wrap. Strap or band the load to the pallet, then shrink-wrap it tightly from the base upward. Corner boards protect edges and stop straps digging in.
- Weigh and measure. Note the total weight and the packed dimensions (length x width x height). This is what your quote is based on, so accuracy avoids surprise charges on the day.
- Label clearly. Full collection and delivery addresses, contact numbers and any handling notes (“fragile”, “this way up”) on at least two sides.
- Book your collection. Choose a collection date and a service level — economy (2–3 days), next day, or same day. You can book your pallet collection here in a couple of minutes.
- Hand it over. Make sure the pallet is accessible for a tail-lift vehicle and pallet truck — a firm, level surface near the kerb or loading bay is ideal.
How much does it cost to send a pallet?
Pallet pricing in the UK is driven by three things: the size of the pallet, the distance between collection and delivery, and how fast you need it. As a rough 2026 guide, economy quarter pallets on the national network start in the region of £25–£40, half pallets around £35–£55, and full pallets from roughly £45 upward, with longer distances and premium timings pushing prices higher.
What pushes the price up
- Speed — same-day and timed deliveries cost more than economy because a vehicle is dedicated to your load.
- Distance and remote postcodes — the Highlands, islands and some rural areas carry a surcharge.
- Weight over the band — going over a size band’s weight limit bumps you to the next tier.
- Access — no forklift or pallet truck at either end may require a tail-lift vehicle, which is worth flagging up front.
For a full breakdown of sizes, distance bands and surcharges, see our detailed Pallet Delivery Cost UK 2026 price guide. If you only have one or two heavy boxes rather than a full pallet, a man and van service can sometimes work out cheaper — man and van starts from £10/hour in Manchester, £15 in St Helens and Warrington, and £20 in Liverpool.
Insider packing tips that prevent damage
Most pallet damage happens because of poor packing, not rough handling. After years of loading and unloading pallets across the North West, these are the tips we give every customer.
- Build a stable “brick wall”. Interlock boxes rather than stacking columns — a pyramid or brick pattern is far more stable in transit.
- Never let anything overhang. Overhanging corners are the first thing to get crushed and can cause a pallet to be refused by a network hub.
- Wrap from the base up. Anchor your shrink-wrap to the pallet itself so the load and the base move as one unit.
- Use void fill. Fill gaps with cardboard or foam so items cannot shift and topple mid-journey.
- Protect fragile faces. Corner boards, edge protectors and a “fragile” label do real work — carriers can only handle carefully what they can see is fragile.
If you are moving something awkward — a single appliance, furniture or car parts — palletising is not always the answer. Our dedicated vehicle courier service keeps your item on one van from door to door with no transfers.
Economy, next day or same day — which service?
Not every pallet needs to travel the same way. Economy pallet delivery (typically 2–3 working days) is the cheapest option and fine for stock and non-urgent goods. Next-day works when you need reliability without paying a premium. When a deadline genuinely cannot slip — a production line waiting on parts, an event, a trade customer expecting stock — same-day is the safest choice.
Because we run our own vehicles, Quickow can collect and deliver a pallet the same day right across the North West and beyond. Explore our 24/7 same-day courier service if you are sending something that has to arrive today, including evenings and weekends.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure a pallet for delivery?
Measure the footprint of the wooden base (a standard UK pallet is 1200mm x 1000mm), then measure the total height once your goods are packed and wrapped, from the floor to the top of the load. Weigh the whole thing if you can. Give the carrier the length, width, height and weight — that is what an accurate quote is built on.
Do I need my own pallet, or can you provide one?
You can supply your own pallet if you have one, which keeps costs down. If not, just let us know when you book — we can advise on sourcing a pallet or arrange a service that suits an un-palletised load, such as a man and van or dedicated van.
What can’t I send on a pallet?
Standard prohibited and restricted items apply — hazardous chemicals, flammable goods, illegal items and, on most networks, high-value goods like cash or jewellery. If you are sending anything unusual, temperature-sensitive or fragile, tell us in advance so we can recommend the right service and packaging.
How quickly can you collect a pallet in Liverpool or Manchester?
Because we are based in Liverpool and Manchester with our own fleet, we can often collect the same day across the North West, including Warrington, St Helens, Wigan and Chester. Call 07882 087375 or book online and we will confirm the earliest collection slot available.
Get Your Free Quote Today
Sending a pallet in the North West or UK-wide? Tell us the size and postcodes and we’ll get it moving — including same-day.