Types of Wooden Pallets: Acacia, Rubberwood, Pine and LVL Compared

In Vietnam, four main wood species are used to manufacture pallets: acacia, rubberwood, pine and engineered LVL. Each suits a different use case - from domestic distribution to international export, from light to heavy loads, from conventional to fully automated warehouses. This guide helps international buyers choose the right wood species to optimise long-term operating cost. All prices shown are Vietnam domestic reference points (in VND); FOB Vietnam quotes in USD are available on request.

The Four Wood Types at a Glance - Quick Comparison by Load and Price

The table below summarises the key metrics so you can quickly identify the most suitable wood species. Prices are domestic reference points for a 1200 x 1000 mm pallet; ask our team for an FOB Vietnam quote in USD against your specification.

Wood Type	Static Load	Lifespan	Price 1200x1000mm	Best Suited For
Acacia	1000-1200 kg	3-5 years	120,000-200,000 VND	Domestic and regional, cost-effective
Rubberwood	1100-1300 kg	4-6 years	130,000-220,000 VND	Food, beverage, sensitive cargo
Pine	800-1000 kg	2-4 years	85,000-150,000 VND	One-way export, EUR footprint
LVL	1400-1600 kg	5-8 years	180,000-300,000 VND	Automated warehouses, heavy, high-value cargo

Acacia Pallets - 90% Market Share, Vietnam's Workhorse

Acacia is the leading choice in Vietnam's pallet market, accounting for roughly 90% of volume. With an optimal balance of quality, load capacity and cost, it is the default species used by most pallet manufacturers. For buyers sourcing standard wooden pallets from Vietnam, acacia is almost always the starting point.

Key characteristics:

• Hard, solid and durable - meets the mechanical load demands of a working pallet
• Dries quickly and naturally, well adapted to Vietnam's tropical climate
• More mould-resistant than pine, suitable for normal storage environments
• Easy to machine, with reasonable production cost

Drawbacks:

• Contains many knots - requires careful grading, which adds to quality cost
• Less ideal for markets with strict EU or stringent ISPM-15 requirements

Reference price: 120,000 - 200,000 VND per unit (1200 x 1000 mm). USD FOB pricing on request.

Acacia suits domestic pallet programs, storage in normal conditions and regional buyers with cost-sensitive requirements. For exporters, it remains viable wherever the destination market does not enforce strict EUR or ISPM-15 grading. See our pine vs acacia comparison for a deeper look at the trade-offs.

Rubberwood Pallets - Southern Vietnam Staple, Low Splinter, Food Safe

Rubberwood is the second most popular choice, especially in southern Vietnam where the supply of rubberwood is abundant. With higher durability than acacia and good hygienic properties, it is favoured in the food and beverage sector.

Key characteristics:

• Harder and more durable than acacia, with high stiffness and low warping
• Dries quickly, naturally limiting mould and wood-boring insects
• Low splinter and dust - safe for food and beverage products
• More uniform structure than acacia, with better appearance

Drawbacks:

• Around 10-15% more expensive than acacia, affecting production cost
• High demand for rubberwood in the furniture industry can limit pallet supply

Reference price: 130,000 - 220,000 VND per unit (1200 x 1000 mm). USD FOB pricing on request.

Rubberwood is the optimal choice for the food, beverage and other sensitive product categories that demand high hygiene, good durability and a long service life. For buyers shipping to markets with phytosanitary controls, pair it with ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets to ensure clearance.

Pine Pallets - EU-Bound, Lightest, Natural Pest Resistance

Pine is imported from Europe (mainly Finland and Sweden) and used primarily for export shipments. With the lowest weight and conformity to international standards, it is the optimal choice for one-way, non-returnable pallets. Buyers shipping to Europe often specify pine on the EPAL/EUR footprint.

Key characteristics:

• Lightest of the three natural woods - reduces shipping cost by 10-15%
• Contains natural pine resin that automatically resists pests and insects
• Meets ISPM-15 and EUR-1 standards, making export to Europe straightforward
• Low cost, ideal for low-value or high-frequency cargo

Drawbacks:

• Softer than acacia - lower load capacity (800-1000 kg)
• Prone to mould in damp environments (Vietnam's tropical climate)
• Needs indoor storage; does not tolerate prolonged outdoor conditions

Reference price: 85,000 - 150,000 VND per unit (1200 x 1000 mm) - the cheapest of the three natural woods. USD FOB pricing on request.

Pine is the most economical choice for one-way export to Europe, to countries using the EUR footprint, or for cargo that needs to minimise shipping cost without requiring high load capacity. To keep pine in good condition before shipment, follow sound storage and pest-prevention practices.

LVL Pallets - Engineered Lumber, Most Uniform, Automated-Warehouse Ready

LVL (laminated veneer lumber) is an engineered wood material pressed from multiple thin veneer layers bonded with adhesive. It is the premium choice for automated warehouses, high-value export programs and any application demanding absolute dimensional stability. Many buyers compare it against pressed alternatives such as presswood pallets when specifying export units.

Key characteristics:

• Highest uniformity - no knots, wood eyes or structural defects
• Highest load capacity (1400-1600 kg) - suitable for heavy, high-rack loads
• Perfectly flat surface, ideal for automated handling and barcode scanners
• High long-term durability (5-8 years), saving on long-term replacement cost

Drawbacks:

• Highest unit price (180,000 - 300,000 VND), not suited to small production runs
• Requires special storage, as the layered structure is sensitive to moisture
• Only worthwhile for high-value, high-volume applications

Reference price: 180,000 - 300,000 VND per unit (1200 x 1000 mm). USD FOB pricing on request.

LVL is the top choice for automated warehouses, large logistics operations, premium product exports and high-value cargo that requires absolute dimensional stability.

Classification by Construction: Single vs Double Deck, 2-Way vs 4-Way

Beyond wood species, buyers also need to specify the pallet construction that matches their cargo and warehouse system:

Single-Deck vs Double-Deck:

• Single-deck: Top face carries the load, the bottom is formed by runners. Lower cost, used for light cargo or one-way export
• Double-deck: Both faces carry load. Maximises space, suited to high racking, heavy cargo or multi-trip reuse

2-Way vs 4-Way Entry:

• 2-way entry: Can be lifted from two sides - suits small warehouses, hand pallet trucks or constrained space. See our two-way pallets
• 4-way entry: Can be lifted from any side - an international standard suited to automated warehouses, large logistics and export. See our four-way pallets

Construction: Block vs Stringer:

• Block: Lower cost and easy to machine, but lower durability - used for light, domestic cargo
• Stringer: More durable, higher load capacity, suited to heavy cargo, export and automated warehouses - at a higher price

How to Choose the Right Wood Type - By Load and Warehouse Conditions

Choosing the correct wood species means weighing several factors. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Determine the cargo load

• Light cargo under 1000 kg - acacia or pine is sufficient and low cost
• Medium cargo 1000-1300 kg - acacia or rubberwood is optimal on cost and performance
• Heavy cargo over 1400 kg - LVL is mandatory to ensure safety

Step 2: Assess warehouse conditions

• Dry, air-conditioned warehouse - acacia is good enough and saves cost
• Cold, damp or outdoor storage - rubberwood or LVL to avoid mould and water damage
• Automated warehouse - LVL is mandatory (perfectly flat, 100% stable)

Step 3: Consider the destination and export market

• EU export / EUR footprint - pine (light, cheap, ISPM-15 friendly) or LVL (premium)
• Domestic and regional markets - acacia (90% usage, widely accepted)
• Food and beverage sector - rubberwood (low splinter) or LVL (if premium)

Step 4: Calculate total long-term cost

• Compare not only purchase price but also usage, storage, repair and long-term replacement cost
• LVL has a high purchase price but a long lifespan (5-8 years) - it can be cheaper long-term for large warehouses
• Acacia is cheap but has a shorter lifespan (3-5 years) - suited to short-term cost priorities

Frequently Asked Questions - Choosing a Pallet Wood Type

Can acacia pallets be exported to Europe?

Acacia can be exported to markets that do not enforce strict EUR or stringent ISPM-15 grading. However, if the destination is Europe or requires the EUR/EPAL pallet standard, pine or LVL is a better fit because their wood properties make standard compliance easier.

How much more does an LVL pallet cost than acacia?

LVL costs roughly 50-100% more than acacia (180,000-300,000 vs 120,000-200,000 VND). However, with a longer lifespan (5-8 years vs 3-5 years), the average cost per year can be comparable or even lower for high-frequency warehouse use.

Is rubberwood suitable for international export?

Yes, rubberwood is compatible with many markets, particularly food, beverage and pharmaceutical. However, some stringent EU standards may require pine or engineered wood to comply with ISPM-15 and hygiene regulations.

Is shipping cheaper with pine pallets?

Yes. Pine pallets are the lightest (around 15-20 kg lighter than acacia), so shipping cost is roughly 10-15% lower. This is why pine is popular for one-way export - cheap and light at the same time.

Request a Quote - Free Consultation on Pallet Wood Selection

If you are not yet sure which wood species best fits your operation or warehouse, the ICD Vietnam technical team is ready to help. We will assess your load requirements, storage conditions and destination market, then recommend the optimal wood type on both quality and cost. Learn more about our company and the full range of pallet types we manufacture.

With 15 years of experience manufacturing wooden pallets, ICD Vietnam supplies high-quality pallets and advises on the optimal logistics solution for each customer. Contact us for a free consultation and FOB Vietnam quote (RFQ).

• Email: Sales@icdvietnam.com.vn
• North Vietnam: +84 983 797 186 / +84 90 345 9186 / +84 90 5859 186
• South Vietnam: +84 98 6784 186