Height limits depend on the shipping mode:
LTL trucks (standard 53-foot trailers):
- Internal trailer height: 108–110 inches (~2.74–2.79m)
- Maximum loaded pallet height with pallet: 84–96 inches (7–8 feet) in practice — carriers want clearance for safe loading
- Some carriers accept up to 100 inches total (pallet + cargo) — confirm before booking
- Stacked pallets: only if cargo is designed to be double-stacked and carrier approves
20GP container:
- Internal height: 2,390 mm (7.84 feet)
- Pallet (150mm) + cargo: maximum useful height ~2,200 mm (7.2 feet)
40HC (High Cube) container — recommended for tall pallets:
- Internal height: 2,698 mm (8.85 feet)
- Pallet + cargo: up to ~2,540 mm (8.3 feet)
Best practices for tall pallets:
- Keep centre of gravity low — heavy items at bottom, light at top
- Shrink-wrap tightly and use corner boards for stability
- Label 'DO NOT DOUBLE STACK' on the pallet if cargo can't bear weight from above
- For LTL, add a 'TOP LOAD' or 'NO TOP LOAD' requirement at booking — it may affect rate
- For container FCL, use 40HC if any pallet exceeds 2.0m total height after stacking
Use the <a href="https://calculatecbm.com/pallet-calculator">pallet calculator</a> to check how your pallet height affects container utilisation.