Shipping large, heavy, or fragile goods can be tough – they require a lot of space, must be packed safely, and should be easy to load and unload. To address these issues, many enterprises harness the power of shipping pallets, offering a practical solution for transporting freight efficiently and safely. Shipping pallets are sturdy platforms that can help you easily stack and move bulky goods.
Shipping pallets come in different sizes and are made of different materials like wood, fiber, and even plastic. This makes them ideal for moving heavy goods, such as machinery, automotive parts, furniture and even household goods. But can you use them to reduce shipping costs? And how can you use pallets most effectively?
This article outlines the key features of shipping pallets and how you can maximize their efficiency and safety.
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What Are Shipping Pallets?
Shipping pallets are sturdy, rectangular platforms that help distribute the weight of your cargo evenly. They can be stacked on top of each other without damaging your freight.
They’re also very easy to move using forklifts or other specialized equipment. This has made them very popular among shipping companies and frequent shippers, so popular that today, there are over 5 billion pallets in active use.
What Are The Three Types Of Shipping Pallets?
There are three main types of pallets you can use for shipping. These include:
1. Wooden Pallets
These sturdy, standard pallets can carry heavier or lighter loads, depending on your requirements. They’re also very useful because they have four-way entry capabilities and can be accessed from all directions.
2. Plastic Pallets
While initially costlier (up to 3x compared to wood), plastic pallets offer greater durability and hygiene, making them perfect for food or pharmaceutical shipments. While they can be reused, you might have to use adhesives to secure your cargo to their smooth surfaces.
3. Corrugated Fiberboard Pallets
The last option is fiber-made pallets. While these offer structural sturdiness due to their shape, they might not be the best choice for bulky or heavy cargo. Like plastic pallets, they are recyclable but are very susceptible to disintegration due to exposure to moisture.
What Is The Standard Size Of Pallets?
The standard dimensions of shipping pallets are 48 X 40 inches. However, you can also use 42 X 42 inch or 48 X 48 inch pallets, depending on the business requirements.
Ideally, you should choose the pallet size that supports the full dimensions of your shipment to avoid damage to your cargo.
Top 6 Tips For Safe & Effective Pallet Shipping
The following tips will help you make the most effective use of shipping pallets to securely ship your freight:
1. Select The Right Pallet
The first step to using pallets effectively is to choose the right material.
As we’ve seen, you have three main options: wood, plastic, and fiber pallets. The first two are ideal for bulky or heavy goods. They last longer than fiber pallets and can also bear more weight.
Remember, if you don’t select the right pallet material, you could endanger the safety of your shipment.
2. Efficiency Starts With Packaging
Safe pallet shipping starts with safe cargo packing.
In other words, if you want to safely transport your goods with pallets, you must first secure them in thick cardboard boxes and wrap them with bubble wrap or foam sheets.
This will ensure that your cargo doesn’t come into contact with moisture or dust.
3. Ensure There’s No Overhang
When it comes to safe pallet shipping, the critical thing is to eliminate any possibility of overhang. This is because even a slight overhang can harm your goods, especially during the loading and unloading processes.
To eliminate any possibility of overhang, you should use pallets that are always larger than your cargo boxes.
4. Distribute Weight Evenly
Another important thing to focus on is weight distribution. If your pallet can’t take the weight of your cargo, it’ll likely cause a lot of damage throughout the entire pallet column.
To avoid this, distribute the weight of your cargo evenly throughout different pallets. This will help you maintain uniformity throughout your cargo.
5. Stack Your Pallets Safely
We’ve also noticed that sometimes, palletized cargos are damaged due to poor packaging. Packing boxes within the pallets is one thing, but securing the pallets themselves is quite another.
You can also use specialized equipment like clamshells, blister packs, and skin packs to firmly secure your palletized shipment.
6. Pad The Corners To Eliminate Empty Spaces
Lastly, let’s discuss one final, crucial tip that’s often overlooked but is important for safe pallet shipping.
Consider this scenario: your pallets are stacked, one on top of the other. But there’s a slight movement, the stability of the pallet column is compromised, and the whole thing comes tumbling down. This could lead to material and financial loss, and even injuries to employees.
To avoid this, pad the corners of your pallet structure. This will help you stabilize the load. Further, cover the edges of pallets with foam, plastic, or bubble wrap to ensure the structural integrity of your pallets.
Ready To Ship? Here’s What To Remember
Shipping pallets offer an affordable, safe, and reusable solution to the challenges of pallet shipping. Whether you’re shipping bulky goods, moving fragile items, or transporting heavy-duty equipment, the right type of pallet can protect your freight while making it easily movable.
However, if you want to use pallets in the most efficient and effective way, you can create a standard operating procedure for packing and stacking your pallets.
Plus, you should also fill all empty space with foam or bubble wrap, eliminate overhang, and ensure even weight distribution for safe pallet shipping.
Pick the right pallets for your freight, stack them safely, and move your goods hassle-free!
