[NL] ‘Palletless’ shipping: advantageous for your logistics?
3min read
20/06/2025
Have you heard the term ‘palletless’ before? This trend focuses on palletless transport to save space and weight. Depending on the situation, this system can offer many advantages. So it is important to carefully weigh up the pros and cons before implementing this method in your logistics. Read on and discover the optimal strategy to ship palletless.
1. How does palletless shipping work?
As the name suggests, ‘palletless’ is a packaging method characterised by omitting the pallet. Automated machines secure the load securely with stretch film. These machines cover and group the contents in a compact manner by wrapping, cutting and rotating the film.
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| ► Lower costs due to the absence of a pallet and a reduction in packaging size and weight.
► More available space for both storage and transport of shipments. ► Less manual work due to an automated system, as well as fewer operators needed ► Faster preparation: save time with faster production. ► Reduced CO2 emissions: more goods fit in each loading space thanks to the smaller parcel size, reducing the number of transport trips required. ► Content protection: a tightly packed load offers better protection against damage and theft. |
► More machine costs: automatic packing involves additional costs.
► Less stable and less wide use: the pallet remains a versatile and safe storage and transport tool, even for heavy loads. ► Not suitable for heavy and bulky loads: pallets provide additional safety for complex loads. |
2. When is it best to ship ‘palletless’?
Palletless shipping can offer a practical solution in the following situations:
- Light loads: goods of light weight and goods that do not need extra support.
- Homogeneous loads: palletless shipping is useful for loads with conventional shapes or standard palletisable dimensions. In situations with heterogeneous loads, solid strapping can help if you don’t use a pallet.
- Bag stacking: companies often use bags to transport supplies for food, agriculture or construction. They stack the bags directly on top of each other, without using pallets. In this way, they create a mosaic floor into which they incorporate the rest of their merchandise.
- Sustainable logistics: companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint may choose to eliminate (disposable) pallets as a matter of principle.
3. When to opt for classic pallets?
Of course, pallets often remain an essential component for storage and transport. Here are the most essential uses for pallets:
- Greater stability: pallets provide more safety and stability for loads and reduce the risk of tipping over, damage and accidents during transport. It is therefore recommended to palletise loads securely and choose a suitable pallet wrapping machine.
- Easier handling: thanks to their standard dimensions, pallets are much more convenient for handling, transporting, loading and unloading within the logistics chain, even when using manual pallet trucks. This saves time and costs.
- Efficient stacking: pallets, in turn, are more suitable for stacking loads safely and efficiently to optimise available warehouse space.
- Extra protection: the pallet structure provides extra protection for loads, reducing the risk of bumps or shocks during handling and transport.
- Safety: the standardised process ensures the safety of employees in the logistics chain, minimising the risks of injury or MSA(musculoskeletal disorders).
- Reusability. Pallets are not disposable, but products that can be reused several times.
