How to secure pallets?

Transporting goods on wooden pallets requires the use of not only the right heavy haulage companies, but also effective methods for securing pallets and palletised goods during transit. Shipping companies, transshipment warehouses and all activities related to the transport of palletised goods should know how to properly secure goods of different sizes.

Transporting goods on wooden pallets – how to secure the goods from the outside?

Shipping products in bulk packaging on pallets requires, first and foremost, that care is taken to ensure that the goods are correctly secured. Otherwise, even the weight of the load itself could lead to damage to the cartons at the bottom of the pallet. Shippers, i.e. companies involved in the manufacture and distribution of finished goods, will particularly need to know how to effectively secure the goods on the pallet. Here are some useful tips for safely shipping items on bulk pallets.

1. Use black stretch filmto protect the goods on the pallet from the outside. When you wrap the entire pallet in film, you can not only immobilise the bulk parcels stacked on the pallet, but also perfectly protect the entire surface of the pallet from the effects of, for example, moisture. By opting for additional protection, you will be sure that the organised will arrive at its destination intact.
2. Overlap the master cartons on the pallet. This way, the evenly distributed weight of the goods will not cause the products on the bottom of the pallet to be damaged by heavy pressure. It is also a good idea to opt for adjustable dividers, which provide additional protection for the goods on the pallet. Also worth reading is the guide – how do I stack boxes on pallets?
3. It is also a good idea to use plastic straps to secure the products on the collective pallet, as they ensure the stability of the pallet during sudden braking of the transport vehicle. PET tape is a great way to finally secure a pallet for domestic and international transport.
4. Use rubber anti-slip mats to ensure the pallet base is not slippery and reduce the risk of damage from underneath.
5. Remember not to stack the cartons on the pallet so that they protrude beyond the outline of the pallet. Otherwise, the entire load may be damaged. If you stack the cartons with the goods outside the contour of the pallet or fail to ensure structural stability, transit of the goods may result in damage – unfortunately not the fault of the carrier, but of the shipper who failed to secure the consignment properly.

These are just a few tips, the application of which will give you a sure guarantee of the transport of cargo placed on a pallet. If you want the goods to reach the addressee in good condition, it is essential to take into account the tips relating to packing shipments on transport pallets.

Using stretch film to pack pallets – how to do it right?

When packing Europallets using stretch film, it is useful to know how to use it correctly so that the cargo is protected so that it reaches the recipient in full. The most important thing is to buy high quality stretch film – this guarantees the creation of a strong surface on the pallet. When packing metal, wooden and plastic pallets, you can wrap them all around with stretch film using a manual handle or an automatic wrapping machine. It is safe to say that stretch film is the best material for effectively securing goods on a pallet, regardless of the means of transport chosen – fleet car or even aircraft.

There are really many ways to prepare items for shipment on pallets. When using stretch film, care should be taken to wrap the entire pallet around as tightly as possible, and cardboard corners should be used to further secure the pallets for transport.

Wooden or plastic pallets – which to choose for shipping?

Choosing the right pallet material is essential to gain a guarantee that your goods will be delivered intact to the recipient. If you are shipping really heavy items by pallet courier, be sure to choose metal models, which are made for loads weighing up to several hundred kilograms. Wooden pallets are used for shipping goods of a slightly lower weight, while plastic ones are the best choice for relatively light, but still bulky pallets.

How to deliver goods on pallets intact?

To ship items on pallets, it is worth taking care of a few things. First of all, it is important to select a pallet made of suitable material, which will resist damage even under a heavy load. At the stage of packing goods, it is also important to remember about correct stacking of cardboard boxes. Unfortunately, not all items can be stacked directly on top of each other, even securing cardboard boxes. As a rule of thumb, the heaviest load should be at the bottom of the pallet, while the lighter load should be at the very top. This will eliminate the risk of any item being damaged in transit.

Additional accessories and materials for safe packing of pallets

It is also a good idea to use bubble wrap material for packing pallets, goods and really heavy loads, especially those that are highly sensitive to damage. Using bubble wrap, goods made of glass can be secured in such a way that they do not suffer even the slightest damage.

It is also a good idea to use strong cardboard protective angles and anti-slip paper dividers. This will ensure that the goods do not move even by a centimetre during the transport of the consignment, which is a guarantee that the items will be delivered in full.

Packing pallets in a shipping warehouse – how should it look in practice?

When planning the transit of pallets with goods in vehicles designed to carry bulky and heavy loads, it is worthwhile to prepare the pallets and shipments properly, especially in terms of safety. The methods used at shipping depots are similar, and there is no one-size-fits-all method for creating the perfect load security for transit. Packing pallets with goods should look like this:

• packing the goods into cardboard boxes – preferably using bubble wrap and cardboard dividers,
• stacking the collective cartons on the pallet – from the heaviest to the lightest,
• securing the pallet with stretch foil and PET tape for securing heavy loads,
• preparing the waybill,
• shipment of the pallet.

The method of packing goods on pallets is not complicated, and the process can be greatly accelerated with the use of professional packing machines. Of course, nothing prevents you from preparing the pallets completely by hand, although this takes a little more time and requires more attention on the part of the warehouse worker.

Finally, it is also worth checking how to fix the goods to the pallet so that they do not shift during transport. Special screw fixings, PET tape or stretch film can be used for this.

Why send goods on pallets?

There are many reasons for choosing to pack goods on pallets, even extremely heavy and bulky goods. When deciding on this form of shipment, it is nevertheless important to remember to properly secure loads placed in master cartons. The most important reasons to opt for palletised shipments are:

• secure delivery of goods directly to the recipient,
• the possibility of shipping heavy loads,
• no need for complicated protection of the goods inside the boxes – in the case of pallets, it is enough to provide a protective layer on the outside.

In a few words in conclusion – realising the shipment of goods on pallets is a good choice, especially when transporting goods sensitive to damage. Just follow the above tips and use the recommended operating materials for securing shipments, and pallet transit will always provide a full guarantee of cargo delivery without the slightest damage.