Storage and logistics for pallet buyers: what to sort out before delivery day

A standard UK pallet occupies roughly 1.2m by 1.0m on the floor and can be stacked to head height. It typically arrives on an articulated or rigid lorry, delivered kerbside using a tail lift and pump truck. Every part of that sentence has practical consequences.

Access questions to answer honestly

• Can a large vehicle physically reach the address, turn, and stop legally?
• Is the surface between the lorry and your door firm and level enough for a pump truck?
• Is there a step, kerb or gravel drive between the kerb and where the pallet needs to be?
• Who will be there to receive it, and can they check the pallet before signing?
• Is there a time window the delivery must avoid?

Space you actually need

The pallet footprint is the smallest part of the requirement. You also need somewhere to break it down, somewhere to put sorted stock, and somewhere to stage packed orders. As a rough rule, allow three times the pallet footprint for a comfortable sorting operation.

Checking the pallet on arrival

1. 1Photograph the pallet before the wrap comes off, while the driver is present
2. 2Note any visible crush damage, water marks or broken shrink wrap on the delivery paperwork
3. 3Sign as damaged or unchecked rather than clean if you cannot inspect properly
4. 4Report transit damage to the supplier the same day with your photographs

Suppliers can almost always help with a transit damage claim when it is reported immediately with evidence, and almost never when it surfaces a fortnight later.