Side-by-Side Comparison
Shipping, Boxes & Logistics
Barcode Types & Symbologies vs. ISO Standard Pallet Sizes
Comparing 2 standards across 15 specifications. 15 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Barcode Types & Symbologies
ISO Standard Pallet Sizes
Machine-readable barcodes encode data in optical patterns regulated by GS1 and ISO/IEC into linear 1D barcodes (UPC-A, EAN-13, ITF-14, Code 128) and 2D matrix symbologies (QR Code, Data Matrix) for automated point-of-sale checkout and warehouse inventory tracking.
Standard shipping pallets are globally regulated under ISO 6780 into six standardized dimension footprints. The European EUR-1 pallet (800 × 1200 mm) and North American GMA pallet (48 × 40 inches / 1016 × 1219 mm) dominate over 80% of global automated warehousing and intermodal freight transport.
Specification Comparison Table
15 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Governing Standards
|
GS1 Global Standards / ISO/IEC 15420 (EAN/UPC) / ISO/IEC 15417 (Code 128) / ISO/IEC 18004 (QR) | ISO 6780 / EPAL (European Pallet Association) / GMA (Grocery Manufacturers Assoc) |
|
UPC-A (North American Retail)
|
12-digit fixed numeric (1 digit prefix + 5 digit company + 5 digit item + 1 check digit) | — |
|
EAN-13 (International Retail)
|
13-digit fixed numeric (3 digit country code + company/item + check digit) | Superset of UPC-A | — |
|
ITF-14 (Interleaved 2 of 5)
|
14-digit master carton shipping barcode printed with thick protective bearer bars | — |
|
Code 128 (High-Density Logistics)
|
Variable-length high-density alphanumeric (encodes all 128 ASCII characters) | Used in GS1-128 shipping labels | — |
|
QR Code (ISO/IEC 18004)
|
2D matrix (up to 7,089 numeric or 4,296 alphanumeric characters) with 4 Reed-Solomon error correction levels | — |
|
Data Matrix (ISO/IEC 16022)
|
2D matrix ideal for tiny direct-part marking (DPM) on electronics, PCB traces, and pharmaceuticals | — |
|
Quiet Zone Requirement
|
Minimum 10× X-dimension (narrowest bar width) white space buffer on left and right borders | — |
|
North American Standard (GMA)
|
— | 48.0 × 40.0 in (1219 × 1016 mm) | Height: ~4.75 in (121 mm) | Dynamic Load: 2,800 lbs (1,270 kg) |
|
EUR-1 / EPAL 1 (Europe)
|
— | 800 × 1200 × 144 mm (31.5 × 47.2 × 5.7 in) | Dynamic Load: 1,500 kg (3,300 lbs) | Tare: ~25 kg |
|
EUR-2 / Industrial (UK/Europe)
|
— | 1200 × 1000 × 144 mm (47.2 × 39.4 in) | Compatible with ISO 48×40 racking |
|
EUR-3 / Half-Pallet
|
— | 1000 × 1200 × 144 mm (39.4 × 47.2 in) | Chemical and heavy industrial storage |
|
Australian Standard (AS 4068)
|
— | 1165 × 1165 mm (45.9 × 45.9 in) | Engineered to fit Australian railway wagons |
|
Asian Standard (Japan/Korea)
|
— | 1100 × 1100 mm (43.3 × 43.3 in) | Optimized for 20ft/40ft ISO ocean container widths |
|
Phytosanitary Standard
|
— | ISPM 15 Heat Treated (HT) to 56°C for 30 min / Debarked (DB) |
Other Alternatives to Compare
Compare Barcode Types & Symbologies vs. Box Strength & Burst Ratings (ECT vs Mullen) →
Compare Barcode Types & Symbologies vs. Corrugated Cardboard Flute Profiles →
Compare Barcode Types & Symbologies vs. Intermodal Shipping Containers →
Compare Barcode Types & Symbologies vs. Standard Carrier Shipping Boxes →