The planning and moving of freight internationally are the responsibility of a freight forwarder and transportation provider. However, preparing shipments beforehand is usually the shipper’s responsibility or third-party logistics (3PL) on behalf of the shipper.
Properly preparing freight for shipment is essential to prevent damage and ensure on-time delivery. Typically freight is shipped on pallets.
MHI, a material handling, logistics, and supply chain association, defines a pallet as “a portable, horizontal, rigid, composite platform used as a base for assembling, storing, stacking, handling and transporting goods as a unit load; often equipped with a superstructure.”
When preparing a pallet load, we recommend preparing it for strength by protecting it from the inside out. By doing this, cargo will not become damaged inside a box, on a pallet, or from other pallets.
Related: Cargo Insurance: Are You Protected?
How to Ship Pallet Freight
Shipping pallet freight takes organization and time to prepare. It also requires investments in robust and durable packaging material, which will pay for itself in fewer damage claims.
Choose the Right Size
Select a pallet large enough to ship the freight without any of it hanging over the pallet edges. The pallet should be strong to support the load, and that allows for forklift entry. If the pallet is wood, make sure the boards are secured and that there are no protruding nails to catch on things.
Also, make sure the boxes are full with no air in them. If there is air in the boxes, products can become crushed during shipping. Adding materials such as packing peanuts or bubble wrap can prevent air in boxes or cut the box to adjust the size. Lastly, use enough packing tape to avoid any openings in the middle of the box or tear off on the edges.
Arrange Boxes
Arranging the boxes on a pallet is essential. Create a stable base by putting heavier boxes on the bottom and evenly distribute the load. Stack smaller, lightweight boxes on top of larger ones but avoid making a pyramid-shaped load. Pallets are typically stacked on top of each other, preventing boxes from being crushed during loading.
To improve stability, stack boxes in columns on the pallet. Also, make sure the boxes are tightly closed before shipping and secured with a fastener like packing tape, leaving no space between stacked items.
Damage can occur from vibration during transport. Fill all areas in and around boxes so that there is no room for movement. As an added layer of protection, add cardboard around the stacked boxes’ outer edges as a buffer before wrapping. Additionally, cardboard can be placed along other portions of the pallet for increased stability. Before shipping, consider placing cardboard on both the pallet’s bottom and in between layers of items stacked.
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Secure the Load
Once packed on the pallet, the load needs to be secured. Strap or band it to keep everything together and prevent shifting during shipment.
Next, wrap the entire shipment at least five or six times; this will present a unified looking load and protect from dust and liquid spills. Some machines can wrap pallets automatically, but it is easy if you are doing it by hand. First, tie the wrap to the pallet itself at the bottom and begin wrapping around the items as you move your way to the top of the pallet. Gently pull the stretch wrap around the pallet; doing so will help it cling to the shipment items. While wrapping the boxes, twist the wrap for more strength. The wrap needs to be as tight as possible for a forklift to load it. Also, consider using cardboard corner beads around the pallet to strengthen the entire pallet.
Attach a Label
Investing in a high-quality shipping label printer will help improve efficiencies and ensure required label details. Also, investing in the right supplies such as high-strength clear pouches that fully adhere to shrink wrap is a shipping best practice that will reduce mistakes and errors.
Make sure each pallet is labeled. Ensure that each label matches the Bill of Lading (BOL) and must clearly show both the pallet shipper’s name and address and receiving consignee. If there are any special handling requirements, such as “do not break down,” “do not stack,” or “this end up,” make sure to use brightly colored labels to identify these needs.
Failure to correctly label can lead to delays, shipping damage, or loss resulting in both time and money costs. Additionally, the US and most other countries‘ customs requirements include specific labeling standards, so ignoring this may even mean your freight won’t make it in or out of the country.
Related: 90-Day Duty Deferral
What Are Some Tips for Preventing Damage During Shipping?
To prevent damage during shipping, make sure to use packing peanuts or bubble wrap to avoid any space inside boxes. By making sure boxes are full, you will prevent them from being crushed.
When packing a pallet, arrange the boxes and cartons by size to maximize space but avoid stacking in a pyramid-style because multiple pallets will be stacked. Also, like making sure boxes are full, make sure to leave no air space between boxes.
When the pallet is packed, pad the outside corners and edges with cardboard for extra support before wrapping the pallet.
Wrap and band the load as tight as possible, and when finished, the pallet and cargo should all look like one piece.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Cargo Insurance
Conclusion
While it may seem like a straight-forward and easy task when it comes to packing pallets for delivery, some details can affect the safety of your load if not carried out securely. To securely deliver goods safely, you must prepare pallets correctly.
Preparation begins with the selection of the right pallet to the correct way of building loads. If not built and secured correctly, not only is safety a concern, but delays could happen and prove costly to the shipper.
By following the tips we provide in this blog post, shippers and their third-party logistics providers will be able to pack pallets correctly in a cost-effective manner.
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