7 Tips for Shipping on a Pallet

When you ship on a pallet, you want to remember a few extra tips that can help keep your cargo secure and safe. Many people worry about shipping on a pallet, but done right it can be just as secure as shipping in a crate.

1. Use standard pallet sizes whenever possible. These are easier to move and mean less handling will be necessary during shipping. These are also the strongest pallets you’ll find in bulk.

2. Don’t over stack. Boxes or containers stacked on a pallet shouldn’t exceed 60 inches in height. If you can’t avoid this, talk to us so we can make sure the extra dimensions are considered with care.

3. If you’re shipping to a different country, check the wood regulations for shipping. Many countries restrict the type of wood allowed through their borders, even in shipping pallets.

4. Stack boxes evenly. Don’t create overhangs. Stack heaviest boxes at the base, to lightest toward the top.

5. If you have worries that the boxes aren’t strong enough, you can reinforce the walls of the boxes with extra cardboard or, if you’re really concerned, fiberboard. If you’re that concerned, stronger boxes are the best option, but if you just can’t get any, fiberboard will work, too.

6. Label all your boxes, as well as the pallet itself. On the off-chance the pallet breaks, this ensures your boxes can all still be collected and shipped to their destination. (Remove old labels to avoid confusion.)

7. Shrink wrapping everything on the pallet to the pallet itself is still the best way of securing multiple boxes or containers when you ship on a pallet. Use multiple layers, wrapping through the pallet every time so that the boxes are secured to the pallet as one unit. Shrink wrap also has the added benefit of providing a little bit of weather resistance.

These are good ways to keep your cargo secure. Make yourself a checklist to ensure you take every step that helps make shipping on a pallet safe.