Not every shipment needs a full pallet. If you’re sending a single engine, a few boxes of stock, some tiled flooring or a batch of parts, paying for a standard 1,000kg pallet is money down the drain. That’s exactly what small and quarter pallets are designed to fix — you only pay for the space and weight you actually use.
At Quickow we move pallets across Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington, St Helens, Wigan, Chester and the wider North West every week, plus UK-wide runs. In this guide we break down the real pallet sizes, what each one costs in 2026, and how to work out the cheapest sensible option for what you’re sending — without getting caught out by surcharges.
What counts as a small or quarter pallet?
“Small pallet” is a loose term in the UK courier trade, so it helps to know the standard sizes carriers actually price against. Nearly all networks work from a full UK pallet footprint (roughly 1.2m x 1.0m) and then split it by height and weight.
- Quarter pallet (mini pallet): up to around 60cm high and 150–250kg. The cheapest option in every network. Ideal for a few heavy boxes, car parts or a single appliance.
- Half pallet: up to around 80–100cm high and 300–500kg. Good for bulkier orders that still don’t fill a full cage.
- Light / euro pallet: the smaller 1.2m x 0.8m footprint, priced by weight band — often used for lighter, boxed goods.
- Full pallet: up to 2.2m high and 1,000kg+. Only worth it once your load genuinely fills the space.
The golden rule: the smaller and lighter the pallet class you can honestly declare, the less you pay. Under-declaring to save money always backfires, though — carriers re-weigh and re-measure at the depot and bill the difference, often with an admin fee on top.
Small & quarter pallet delivery cost UK 2026
Prices move with fuel and distance, but here are realistic 2026 guide figures for a next-day economy service. These assume a standard postcode (not a remote Highlands or island band) and a ground-floor collection and delivery.
- Quarter pallet, next day: from around £28–£45 depending on distance and weight.
- Half pallet, next day: from around £40–£65.
- Full pallet, next day: from around £55–£90.
- Same-day dedicated small pallet (North West): from around £60–£120, because the van runs direct with nothing else on board.
For local moves and lighter loads, a dedicated man and van service can actually beat a pallet network. Our man and van rates start from £10/hour in Manchester, £15 in St Helens and Warrington, and £20 in Liverpool — so if you only need a short hop across the North West, ask us to quote both ways before you book.
Cheap options compared: which is right for your shipment?
1. Quarter pallet on an economy network
The default budget choice. Your goods are shrink-wrapped and strapped to a mini pallet, collected, hubbed overnight and delivered on a 24–48 hour service. Cheapest per kilo once you’re over about 100kg, and fully tracked. The trade-off is timing — economy pallet networks don’t give you a tight delivery window, just a day.
2. Dedicated same-day van
If it’s urgent, fragile, or you need proof it went door to door untouched, a dedicated van wins. One driver, your goods only, straight from A to B. It costs more than economy but there’s no hub handling and no waiting a day. This is where our same-day pallet delivery and 24/7 courier service come in — useful for traders who can’t afford a line to stop.
3. Man and van (for local, non-standard loads)
Awkwardly shaped, un-palletised or just going a few miles? A man and van skips the pallet entirely. No wrapping, no depot, and an extra pair of hands to load. For single appliances, see our appliance delivery service (from £35), which handles the lifting and can take your old unit away too.
Insider tips to keep your pallet delivery cheap
- Stack down, not up. Keeping your load under 60cm high often drops you a whole price band into quarter-pallet territory.
- Weigh it properly before you book. Bathroom scales for small parcels, a check-weigh at a builders’ merchant for heavier loads. A re-weigh charge wipes out any saving.
- Book collection and delivery for weekdays. Saturday and timed slots carry surcharges on most networks.
- Wrap and strap well. A tidy, stable pallet is less likely to be re-classed or refused. Nothing should overhang the edges.
- Bundle jobs. If you’re also clearing space, pairing a delivery with our rubbish removal service on the same visit saves a second call-out.
How to book a small pallet with Quickow
Booking takes a couple of minutes. Have your collection and delivery postcodes, the rough dimensions and the weight to hand, and we’ll match you to the cheapest sensible service.
- Measure and weigh your load, then decide quarter, half or full pallet.
- Head to our booking page or call us for a quick quote.
- Tell us if it’s fragile, time-critical or needs an extra pair of hands.
- We confirm the price up front — no hidden depot surprises — and arrange collection.
Moving a whole household as well as sending stock? Our house moving services and part-load options can travel alongside your pallet on UK-wide routes, so you’re not paying twice for the same journey.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send a small pallet in the UK?
For anything over roughly 100kg, a quarter pallet on an economy next-day network is usually cheapest, from around £28–£45. For short local trips or single items, a man and van (from £10/hour in Manchester) or our appliance delivery (from £35) can beat that. The best move is to get both quoted — we’ll tell you which is cheaper for your exact load.
How much can I fit on a quarter pallet?
A quarter (mini) pallet typically allows up to around 60cm in height and 150–250kg in weight, on the standard UK pallet footprint. Keep everything within the base so nothing overhangs, and stack heaviest items on the bottom. If you’re pushing past those limits, a half pallet works out safer and avoids re-weigh charges.
Is same-day small pallet delivery available in Liverpool and Manchester?
Yes. We run dedicated same-day vans across Liverpool, Manchester and the North West, plus UK-wide when it’s urgent. A same-day small pallet typically starts from around £60–£120 because the van runs direct with only your goods on board. Call 07882 087375 and we’ll check availability straight away.
Do I need to wrap and label the pallet myself?
For network pallet services, goods should be stacked, shrink-wrapped and strapped to the pallet before collection, with a clear address label. If you’re not set up for that, our man and van team can handle un-palletised loads directly, or advise on the simplest way to prepare a small pallet so it isn’t re-classified at the depot.
Get Your Free Quote Today
Small pallet, quarter pallet or a full load — tell us what you’re sending and we’ll find the cheapest reliable option across Liverpool, Manchester and the UK.