17 May 2022
 Categories: , Blog

Palletised freight shipping is a preferred shipping solution. Using pallets for shipments comes with several benefits. For instance, pallets are lightweight, space-saving, stronger than other shipping solutions like cardboard boxes, recyclable, portable and easy to organise. However, while palletisation will make your shipping less stressful, getting the fullest advantage of this shipment approach depends on several aspects.

Palletising your shipment poorly can result in accidents, damaged goods and significant losses. Therefore, to help ensure a hassle-free palletised freight shipment experience, here are essential tips to help you get it right.

Invest in The Right Pallets

The pallets are the backbone of your palletised freight transport. Therefore, the first step to avoiding shipping disasters is to be extra careful in your pallet selection. They come in different shapes, sizes, and materials. You may also need to decide between reusable and one-way pallets. Generally, your decision will depend on several factors like cost and the goods you intend to ship. It's vital to pay extra attention to the size of your pallets. Choosing the wrong size is often the cause of all problems when shipping freight in pallets. The rule of the thumb in pallet shipping is for your goods to fit completely inside the pallets. Therefore, too small or too large a pallet can increase the chances of your goods being damaged while in transit.

It's also critical to be mindful of your pallets' weight capacity when purchasing them. Exceeding your pallet's rated weight capacity puts your goods at risk of being damaged in transit or during pallet handling. Therefore, take note of your goods' weight and select the correct pallets.

Protect And Secure Your Cargo

Protecting your cargo and securing it firmly will ensure it reaches the intended destination safely. Thankfully, there are several solutions to help you secure your cargo and protect it from accidents and potential. For instance, straps and stretch wraps can go a long way in keeping your cargo firmly secured to the pallets. On the other hand, load protectors, crush cones and edge boards or corner boards can protect the pallets and cargo from potential damage. Take crush cones, for example. You can attach them on top of the pallets using straps as a warning sign if you don't want other pallets stacked on top, perhaps because of limited weight capacity, fragile items and other similar reasons.

Don't Forget the Insurance

Accidents are unpredictable. And while you may have packed your cargo correctly and secured your pallets firmly for transport, you could suffer huge losses in the unfortunate event of an accident if you don't have proper insurance coverage. Therefore, always review your insurance options to ensure your cargo is fully covered. 

For more information, contact a local company like Ditton Bulk Haulage.