Whether you ship freight internationally or across the country, shipping costs account for a significant portion of your overall costs. How your shipment is packaged and how it will be stowed aboard a plane, boat, or truck impacts the amount you will spend on transportation.
Creating an efficient system for pallet freight shipping is critical to reducing expenses and ensuring that your products reach their destinations without any damage.
Identifying Your Needs
As with any logistics solution, it’s essential to identify your needs. What are the goals of your shipping process, and what will ensure that your cargo arrives on time, in good condition, and with accurate records? Pallet shipping is an excellent option for minimizing freight costs, but it can only work if you prioritize the right items.
To maximize efficiency, a good first step is to ensure your pallets meet industry guidelines. Pallets that comply with standards set by or recognized by standardization bodies can help reduce shipping costs, streamline the entire process, and prevent or minimize cargo damage during shipment.
Another important consideration is ensuring your pallets are well-packed. Boxes should be stacked tightly, with the heaviest boxes on the bottom and lighter ones on top. Avoid creating a pyramid-shaped stack, as this can cause damage during shipment. In addition, add a layer of cardboard around the outer edges of each box to protect them from shifting and to absorb shock.
Other materials, such as foam cushioning, can help support your goods and prevent them from absorbing the rigors of transportation. However, these should be tested for density levels and inserted carefully to avoid crushing or damaging your products. Lastly, be sure to use quality stretch wrap to secure your pallets and to make them as durable as possible.
Selecting the Right Pallet
Whether your products will be transported by air, ground, or sea, the pallet you select should be sturdy enough to protect them from damage while in transit. The right pallet will also support a safe and stable stacking pattern. It should be appropriately labeled with shipping information, a barcode, and any special handling instructions for the product.
Choose a wood pallet strong enough for your shipments if you have the option. However, some specific kinds of cargo require supportive structures made from waterproof materials like plastic. You can choose from various pallet sizes to accommodate your inventory, but you should always consider the weight capacity.
To avoid overloading the pallet, distribute the weight evenly throughout the load. Heavier items should be placed on the bottom and lighter on top to help the pallet maintain balance and stability during transport and storage. If your inventory comprises perishable or time-sensitive goods, you can save them from spoilage by implementing a First In, First Out (FIFO) system.
Palletized products are usually moved around with equipment, stacked underneath other loads, and exposed to environmental fluctuations. Choosing a durable pallet will ensure that your shipment stays secure during transportation and can be easily handled by workers. Avoid pallets with loose boards or protrusions that stick out past their edges, as they’re vulnerable to crushing and impact damage during transit.
Preparing the Pallet for Shipping
If you’re shipping a large quantity of packages to the same destination, palletizing may save you money and help prevent damage to your shipment. However, you must prepare the pallet correctly to get the best rates and ensure your shipment arrives in good condition. This includes selecting the right pallet size, securely stacking your boxes, and classifying your freight correctly to avoid expensive reclassification fees.
When preparing the pallet, ensure each box is appropriately sealed and filled with no air space. You can also use wood dunnage to reinforce and stabilize your pallet load. Forklift wrap and plastic stretch film can help you hold your boxes together, while a pallet collar or edge board protects the goods from damage caused by forklifts.
Many pallet shipping mistakes can be attributed to improper stacking, which compromises the strength of your pallet and leads to damaged goods. You should place your heaviest items at the bottom of the pallet and larger boxes toward the outside. Avoid building a pyramid shape, as this can crush the top layer of your shipment.
Clearly label the cargo on the pallet with the recipient’s address, shipping instructions, and any other information to help your package reach its destination undamaged. It’s also a good idea to wrap the entire pallet and its contents with a few full wraps of premium shrink wrap, making the finished product feel like one solid piece.
Choosing a Logistics Company
Many businesses outsource their logistics needs to a third party to save time, money, and resources. However, not all logistics companies are created equal. Choosing the right company for your business requires careful research and attention to detail. Safety awareness, flexibility, fluid communication, and customer service are vital markers.
Choosing a logistics company that can help streamline your pallet shipping process will improve the overall efficiency of your operation. The company should offer the flexibility to adapt to your business requirements and maintain operational effectiveness as your business grows.
Conclusion
A good logistics company will provide quality service and ensure that your goods arrive safely at their final destination. They will also take care of any damages that may occur during transit to avoid any losses. You should also consider their shipping methods, including land, air, and sea freight services, to ensure they meet your business requirements.
A logistics company should also have a robust and diverse domestic and international network. This will allow them to handle international shipments more efficiently and reduce the costs associated with transshipment. They should also have the ability to accommodate last-minute changes in orders. In addition, they should be able to offer competitive pricing without sacrificing the quality of service that they provide.
