How to Prepare Pallets for Shipping

What's in this article?

You might consider using a pallet when you need to ship a large or heavy item. Pallets provide a stable platform for shipping and can help protect your item from damage during transit.

If you're new to shipping with pallets, this guide will teach you how to prepare them for transport.

What Is a Pallet?

A pallet is a flat structure on top of which freight is secured for shipment. It is usually made of wood but can also be made of other materials like plastic, composite, or metal.

A pallet is constructed with a top surface and a bottom surface to allow a forklift's forks to slide underneath it to lift and move it.

Since most pallets are made of wood, they can be reused if you keep them clean and dry.

Types of Pallets

There are many different types of pallets, including:

1) Wooden pallets

These are the most common pallet types and are typically 2x4s or 4x8s. They have two main advantages over other types of pallets.

First, they are relatively easy to build and maintain since they are just wooden boards. Second, they come in various sizes, so you can choose one that best fits your needs.

However, wooden pallets also have some disadvantages. For example, they are not as strong as other types of pallets, and they tend to warp when exposed to moisture. This means they may crack or split if left outside for long periods.

Wood also tends to rot, especially if it gets wet. Therefore, if you plan on storing your pallets outdoors, cover them with waterproof material.

There are many different types of wood pallets available. You want to consider how much load you expect to put on the pallet and what kind of environment you will store the pallet in.

If you live in an area with extreme weather, you should purchase a pallet that has been treated with a waterproofing agent.

2) Plastic pallets

Plastic pallets are lightweight, durable, and inexpensive. They are often made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), making them resistant to water and UV rays.

Plastic pallets are also easier to manufacture than wooden pallets because they do not require cutting or assembly.

The downside to plastic pallets is that they are more expensive than wooden pallets, and they don't last as long. They only last about five years before they start to deteriorate.

3) Composite pallets

Composite pallets are similar to wooden pallets but are stronger and lighter.

Like plastic pallets, they are made of HDPE, but they use a thicker layer of material to create a stronger product. In addition, composite pallets are less likely to break down than wooden pallets, making them ideal for outdoor storage.

4) Metal pallets

Metal pallets are durable and sturdy, commonly used by companies that deal in hazardous materials.

In addition, they are extremely lightweight, allowing them to be stacked easily. However, they are much heavier than other pallets and therefore difficult to transport.

5) Steel pallets

Steel pallets are similar to metal pallets, except that steel pallets are generally smaller and lighter. They are also cheaper than metal pallets and are therefore more affordable for small businesses.

6) Rolling pallets

Rolling pallets are similar to cardboard boxes, except they are built from corrugated paper instead of cardboard. They are incredibly cheap and are therefore useful for those looking for a low-cost option.

Rolling pallets are not very stable, though, and are therefore not recommended for heavy loads.

7) Corrugated pallets

Corrugated pallets are constructed using corrugated fiberboard, like cardboard. They are usually rectangular and are covered with a protective coating. They are very lightweight and thus great for shipping large items such as furniture.

8) Shipping Pallets

Shipping pallets are often used to ship large quantities of goods. This is because they provide a stable base to rest the boxes containing the product.

Shipping pallets come in different sizes depending on how many boxes fit inside them. Typically, the longer the distance the pallet must travel, the larger the pallet needed.

9) Storage Pallets

Storage pallets are generally smaller than shipping pallets. This is because they're usually built to store small items such as tools or office supplies. The benefit of storage pallets is that they require less space when stored compared to shipping pallets.

How to Measure a Pallet for Shipping

Before loading your shipment, you need to figure out the volume of your pallet. This calculation is easy if you know the dimensions of your pallet.

Multiply the length by the width and height (length x width x height = volume).

For example, if your pallet measures 8 feet (96 inches) long, 16 inches wide, and 12 inches tall, its volume is calculated as 96 x 16 x 12 for a total of 18,432 cubic inches.

How to Prepare a Pallet for Shipping

Next, look at some of the most common ways to ship a pallet.

Stacking pallets

Stacking pallets allows you to save space when transporting your product. However, it should be pointed out that stacking pallets together increases the risk of damage to the pallets.

The best way to stack pallets is to place them side-by-side rather than stacking them on top.

If you're going to stack multiple pallets, make sure that the bottom layer of pallets is secured firmly so that they won't slide around during transport.

Wrapping pallets

Wrapping pallets helps protect the goods inside the pallet from getting damaged. Wrapping pallets also makes them easier to handle since they are less likely to shift while being moved.

To wrap a pallet, use packing tape or shrink wrap. Ensure you secure the wrapping tightly around the pallet before moving it.

Lifting pallets

Lifting pallets correctly helps prevent damage to the goods inside the box. When lifting a pallet, be careful not to exert too much force on the pallet. Instead, lift the pallet using only enough pressure to move it without damaging it.

Also, ensure that you have a helper who can hold onto the sides of the pallet while you lift it.

Loading pallets

To properly load a pallet, you'll need to ensure that all the boxes are securely fastened down. Then, fill the empty spaces with sand or sawdust.

Once you've loaded the pallet, you can tie the boxes to ensure they stay in place during transit.

Pallet Markings and Symbols

Pallet markings are typically found on the side of the pallet. These markings include information about the company that produced the pallet, where it came from, and other important details.

Pallet numbers

Pallet numbers are usually located near the top of the pallet. They're assigned sequentially based on the date the pallet was first manufactured.

Pallet codes

Pallet codes are specific sequences of characters that identify a particular pallet. Each code consists of a unique set of letters and numbers. For example, "QP-2345" would represent a single pallet.

Pallet barcodes

Pallet barcodes are also known as pallet codes. They consist of two parts: a series of numbers followed by a letter.

The number represents the order in which the pallet was received. The letter identifies what type of pallet it is.

There are six common types of pallet barcodes:

5-digit barcode (ex: QP-12345)
4-digit barcode with a dash between each digit (ex: QP1234-)
3-digit barcode with a hyphen between each digit (ex:- 123)
2-digit barcode with a slash between each digit (ex:/ 12)
1-digit barcode with a backslash between each character (ex: \ 13)
Single-letter code (ex: A)

Pallet tracking codes

Pallet tracking codes are similar to pallet barcodes. However, instead of identifying the type of pallet, these codes track the location of individual pallets within a warehouse.

Pallet identification tags

Pallet identification tags are placed on the pallets themselves. This allows you to find your pallet if you need to quickly.

Loading and Unloading a Pallet

When loading and unloading a palet, follow these steps:

First, place the pallet down on its base. If there's not enough room to lay the pallet flat, place it at an angle.
Lift one corner of the pallet so the forks can grab the pallet.
Lower the pallet into position.
Repeat Step 2 until all corners of the pallet are lifted.
Raise the pallet off the ground.
Turn the pallet over so it faces the direction you want to move it.
Lower the pallet again so that the forks can grasp the pallet.
Raise the pallet.
Repeat Steps 7 and 8 until the entire pallet has been moved.
Remove the pallet from the forklift.
Put the pallet away somewhere safe.

Conclusion

By following these tips for safe pallet shipping, you can help ensure that your products arrive at their destination in the same condition as when they left your warehouse.

At A-1 Auto Transport, we offer comprehensive shipping services for businesses and individuals. We have many years of experience in the shipping industry and would be glad to answer any questions you may have about your shipping needs.

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