Pallet Day

What Is Pallet Day?

November 12th is "Pallet Day" in Japan. It was established by the Japan Pallet Association, whose members are companies that handle logistics pallets. The date comes from "Type 11" and "Type 12," the two main sizes of logistics pallets.

The Meaning Behind "Type 11" and "Type 12"

A pallet is a flat platform on which goods are stacked so they can be moved together by a forklift. Picture the slatted wooden or plastic platforms seen in warehouses and truck beds. Under Japan's JIS standards for logistics pallets, the main sizes are "Type 11," with a loading surface of 1100 x 1100 mm, and "Type 12," with a loading surface of 1200 x 1000 mm.

• Origin of the date: the combination of the numbers for Type 11 and Type 12, the two sizes that symbolize logistics pallets
• Type 11: a pallet with a 1100 x 1100 mm loading surface
• Type 12: a pallet with a 1200 x 1000 mm loading surface
• Purpose: to raise awareness of pallets, which are essential for efficient cargo handling

Also "Asian Pallet Day"

According to the Japan Pallet Association, the Asia Pallet System Federation (APSF), made up of pallet associations from Asian countries, has designated Type 11 and Type 12 as the common standard pallets for Asia and named November 12th "Asian Pallet Day." When sizes match, goods can move across borders without being restacked, so shared standards lead directly to more efficient logistics.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Check the size of the pallets used in a warehouse or a store's back room
• Trace how everyday products travel from the factory to the store shelf
• Thank the logistics partners and colleagues who keep goods moving
• Consider whether your company's shipping or storage could be packed more efficiently

A Day to Notice the Humble Platform Behind Logistics

Pallets rarely get attention, yet they are the foundation for moving goods efficiently and safely. November 12th is a day to look at the logistics systems that support our lives and the tools that make them work.