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How to Prepare Freight Shipments

Packaging is one of the most important details involved in freight shipping. Failure to properly package a shipment can result in damaged goods and unnecessary expense. We've put together a short guide on how to properly pack a pallet for shipping so that you can successfully transport your goods.

Make Sure Your Packaging is Durable

When packing a pallet for shipment, it's essential to start by making sure your packaging is sturdy and will provide necessary protection for your goods. Keep in mind that while in transit, your goods will encounter downward pressure from the weight, impactful forces, various vibrations, and ambient conditions throughout their journey. All of these factors can severely compromise or damage your goods. Using boxes with the proper load-bearing capacity, pads, and quality dampening materials will greatly help alleviate these factors and ensure that your packaging will protect your goods during shipment.

Make Your Shipment Dense and Compact

It's critical to make sure your packages are as compact and dense as possible when preparing them for shipment. Reducing the shipment volume not only results in lowered rates, but it also ensures less chance of damage to your goods. To accomplish this, use a quality pallet with 4-way forklift access. The pallet serves as a secure foundation for your boxes, ensuring compact stacking and faster loading and unloading during transit. Stack your boxes in columns, corner to corner while making sure there is no overhang. It's also important to abide by your pallet's capacity specifications so that you ensure your pallet is strong enough to support your load.

Once your boxes are stacked atop your pallet, use stretch wrap to secure them together. Once you have stretch-wrapped your pallet, use straps to secure your wrapped boxes to your pallet. Most pallet shipping companies recommend you use at least two straps per pallet, looping them around the packaged goods and through the forks of the pallet for the best result. Your entire freight shipment should feel like one cohesive piece.

Consider Stowability

It's also important to consider whether or not your shipment can handle being stacked as you prepare for shipment. If it can, it's all the more important to make sure you chose the proper boxes and packing materials that will withstand the weight. You should also make sure the top of your pallet is as flat as possible and use top and bottom load protectors.

If your palletized shipment cannot handle being stacked, make sure to include “Do Not Stack” labels around the four faces of your pallet. You can also tape crush cones to the top of your pallet, as these small cone-shaped devices will let the freight carrier know not to stack your pallet.

Comet Delivery Services for Pallet Freight Shipping

Pallet freight shipping may seem intimidating at first glance, but by following the tips we've outlined above, you can ensure your goods arrive at their destination free of damage. At Comet Delivery Services, we don't believe packaging should be an afterthought. Unlike other pallet shipping companies, we take the time to make sure your goods are properly packaged and secure for their transit journey. If you are interested in learning more about our approach to pallet freight shipping, contact us today!