How much does pallet delivery cost in the UK?

Pallet delivery cost and how it works for UK businesses. See what affects the price, the speeds available and when to ask your local CSM branch for a quote.

Published 27 October 2026

Sending a pallet is not the same as sending a parcel. Pallets are heavier, they need a different kind of collection, and the price depends on more than weight alone. That is why pallet delivery cost is hard to pin down without a few details about the load. This guide explains how pallet delivery works in the UK, what changes the price, and what to have ready before you ask for a quote.

What Is Pallet Delivery?

Pallet delivery is the transport of goods that are stacked and wrapped on a pallet, collected from one address and delivered to another. The pallet stays intact from collection to delivery, and it is moved with a forklift or pallet truck rather than carried by hand.

Pallets come in different sizes. The EPAL Euro pallet, which measures 1,200mm by 800mm, weighs about 25kg and has a safe working load of 1,500kg, is the most widely used exchange pallet in the world, according to EPAL.

Other sizes are common in the UK, so always give your carrier the real dimensions of the load rather than assuming a standard size. A pallet's safe working load is not necessarily the maximum weight a delivery service will accept, so always check the carrier's weight and handling limits before booking.

Businesses use pallet delivery for stock transfers, wholesale orders, trade deliveries, bulky products and anything too heavy or too large for a standard parcel service.

How Pallet Delivery Works

Many UK pallet deliveries move through a pallet network, which links local depots across the country so a single pallet can travel a long way without a dedicated vehicle. Whether you're sending a pallet across the UK or making a local delivery, the process usually follows these steps.

You book the pallet and give the collection address, the delivery address and the load details: weight, dimensions and number of pallets.
A local driver collects the pallet from your site, or you take it to a depot.
The pallet goes to the collecting depot, then on to a central hub where it is sorted overnight.
It travels on to the depot nearest the delivery address.
A local driver delivers it, normally on the next working day for a next day service, or after a longer transit for an economy service.

Because pallets are shared between vehicles and depots, how well each one is wrapped and labelled matters more than people expect.

What Affects Pallet Delivery Cost?

There is no single price for sending a pallet. These are the details that usually move a quote up or down.

Weight and dimensions, including the height of the load
The number of pallets
Where the pallet is collected from and delivered to
Service speed, such as next day or economy
Timed or booked delivery, which usually costs more than a standard slot
Access at either end, for example whether a forklift or tail-lift is needed
The type of goods, including anything fragile or needing special handling

The most common reason for a quote changing after booking is inaccurate details. A pallet that turns out to be taller, wider or heavier than stated can be re-priced or refused, so measure and weigh the load before you ask for a price.

Pallet Delivery Speeds and Options

Pallet services are usually offered at different speeds, in the same way as parcels.

Next day pallet delivery is the fastest standard option. The pallet is collected one working day and delivered the next, and it suits stock that is needed quickly. A guaranteed next day service gives a firmer commitment than a standard booking, so ask what the guarantee covers before you rely on it.

Economy pallet delivery takes longer, usually around 48 hours, and is priced lower. It suits planned deliveries where a day or two of slack is fine.

Saturday delivery and timed or booked deliveries are often available, sometimes at an extra cost. They are useful when the receiving site has set opening hours or needs notice of the arrival.

Pallet or Parcel?

If the goods fit in a box and can be lifted by one person, a parcel service is usually simpler and cheaper. A pallet makes sense when the load is heavy, when several boxes travel together to one address, or when the goods are easier to handle with a forklift than by hand.

Very large or oversized freight may need a different service again. We cover that in our guide to heavy shipments, which looks at the size and weight at which cargo is treated as oversized.

How to Prepare a Pallet for Collection

A well prepared pallet is less likely to be damaged and less likely to cause a delay.

Use a pallet in good condition, with no broken boards or missing blocks.
Stack the goods evenly, with the heaviest items at the bottom, and keep the load within the edges of the pallet.
Wrap the load securely so it cannot shift in transit.
Fix the delivery label somewhere visible, and keep a copy of the details with the load.
Tell the carrier if the delivery site has restrictions, such as limited access, set delivery hours or no forklift.

Pallet Delivery to Europe

Pallet delivery to Europe works much like it does at home, with road services running to and from most European destinations. Customs paperwork becomes part of the job, so it helps to talk to your carrier early. Our international pallets guide covers the road, sea and air options for sending pallets overseas.

How CSM Handles Pallet Delivery

CSM provides pallet delivery through its associate company AFFA, established in 1973. AFFA is a member of the Pallet-Track network, which provides nationwide pallet delivery services. The pallet services available include a guaranteed next day service, a 48-hour economy service, a Saturday service, and timed or booked deliveries and collections. AFFA also handles international pallet import and export.

Pallet quotes depend on the details of the load, so the best next step is to speak to your local CSM branch. The team can talk through your pallet sizes, weights, collection and delivery addresses, and which speed fits your deadline. For larger and heavier freight, our large and fragile parcel delivery page explains the wider options available through CSM and its associate companies.

If you are ready to get a pallet moving, contact your local CSM branch and the team will help.

FAQs

How much does pallet delivery cost?

It depends on the weight and dimensions of the load, the number of pallets, the collection and delivery addresses, and the service speed you choose. There is no single price, so get a quote with accurate details before you book. Your local CSM branch can quote for pallet delivery.

How do I get a pallet delivery quote?

Have the load details ready: the weight, the length, width and height, the number of pallets, and both addresses. Mention any access restrictions or a required delivery time. To get a pallet delivery quote from CSM, contact your local CSM branch.

How do I send a pallet in the UK?

Book the collection with a pallet carrier, prepare the pallet so it is wrapped, stable and labelled, and make sure someone is available to hand it over. The pallet is then collected, moved through the carrier's network, and delivered to the address you gave.

How long does pallet delivery take?

A next day pallet service delivers on the next working day after collection, while an economy service usually takes around 48 hours. Timings depend on the pickup and delivery locations, and the booking cut-off time for your area.

What is a pallet network?

A pallet network is a group of depots linked by regular routes, so pallets from many businesses can be collected locally, sorted at a hub and delivered by a local driver near the destination. It lets a single pallet travel a long way at a reasonable cost.

Can I send a pallet to Europe?

Yes. Road services run to and from most European destinations, and CSM's partner AFFA handles international pallet import and export. Customs documents are part of the job, so speak to your local CSM branch before you book.