February 23, 2023
Preparing a Pallet for Shipping: 4 Step Guide
Shipping palletised freight is often expensive and time-consuming, but this doesn’t have to be the case. To save time and money, however, there are a few things shippers can do on their end when it comes to preparing the pallet for pickup, transit and delivery. In this article, we run through all you need to know about getting large cargo ready for pallet transport.
What is pallet shipping?
Shipping pallets is commonplace in freight transportation, and involves delivering cargo on wooden pallets both domestically and across international borders. This method is typically reserved to safely and securely ship heavy loads, though it’s naturally not as easy or practical as putting smaller, lighter items in bubble wrap and boxing them up. However, the core advantage of pallets is that they allow shippers to pack multiple items together securely, often using straps or stretch wrap (cling film) to keep them in a consignment and protect during transit.
Since the majority of independent shippers rarely own a fleet of carrier vehicles and drivers to move large loads like these, shippers often rely on couriers trained in handling large palletised freight who can pick up the cargo from the shipper and deliver it seamlessly. They can also use pallet distribution networks, which allow for reduced costs and a more fluid, efficient process. You can ship palletised cargo via Amazon Fulfilment Centre (FC) with the help of our partnered carriers for smooth, hassle-free delivery.
Since the majority of independent shippers rarely own a fleet of carrier vehicles and drivers to move large loads like these, shippers often rely on couriers trained in handling large palletised freight who can pick up the cargo from the shipper and deliver it seamlessly. They can also use pallet distribution networks, which allow for reduced costs and a more fluid, efficient process. You can ship palletised cargo via Amazon Fulfilment Centre (FC) with the help of our partnered carriers for smooth, hassle-free delivery.
How to prepare a pallet for shipping
The following steps will help you ensure that whatever cargo you ship is fully-protected and stable. By getting the pallet preparation right, you will also avoid unnecessary surcharges by using space as efficiently as possible.
If you’re shipping pallet freight through Amazon, you must start by requesting a new shipment through Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA). Once approved, you can begin to prepare your freight load for when it is ready for pickup by one of our carrier partners.
If you’re shipping pallet freight through Amazon, you must start by requesting a new shipment through Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA). Once approved, you can begin to prepare your freight load for when it is ready for pickup by one of our carrier partners.
1. Choose the right pallet
Size
Picking the ‘right’ pallet size can present a challenge for some shippers, as there is currently no internationally regulated standard. For UK shippers, standard dimensions are 1 x 1.2m, whereas in the EU the average is 1.2m x 0.8m, along with an additional six types of Euro Pallets recognised by the ISO. However, Amazon recommends keeping to the UK standard of 1 x 1.2 metres.
Quality
If you want your pallet to support the entire weight of the load you intend to ship, you must purchase strong, quality materials that will contain the package completely throughout the whole process. Amazon recommends that you select wooden pallets with 4-way entry, which permit forklifts wider access. These are found in both GMA standard A or B grade pallets.
Always use pallet materials that are in good, usable condition — any weak, broken or damaged material will reduce cargo protection. They should also be rigid enough so that they don’t bend, warp or otherwise change form over time — this could compromise the integrity of the entire shipment and leave it vulnerable to damage. You can get around this by using thicker material e.g. triple-ply cardboard.
Always use pallet materials that are in good, usable condition — any weak, broken or damaged material will reduce cargo protection. They should also be rigid enough so that they don’t bend, warp or otherwise change form over time — this could compromise the integrity of the entire shipment and leave it vulnerable to damage. You can get around this by using thicker material e.g. triple-ply cardboard.
2. Stack your items
When stacking, it is vital that you place the heaviest items on the bottom of your pallet to avoid damaging smaller and lighter items and their individual boxes. You must also pack in vertical, interlocking columns — like a brick wall — keeping the boxes or containers flat and ensuring that they do not hang over the edge of the pallet by more than one inch. Fragile items should be packaged near the centre of the pallet, and any sharp, protruding items must be wrapped in protective padding before being packaged, as this risks causing damage when stacking boxes.
To further reduce the risk of the boxes collapsing, stagger the stacking process to add more strength to the pile. If stacked, the height of the pallet should not exceed 90cm, or 1.8m (72 inches) for non-stacked. A standard pallet can hold up to 2000 kg.
If any items, especially hazardous ones, arrive at the FC and are deemed to fail packaging requirements, they may be rejected and include a surcharge.
To further reduce the risk of the boxes collapsing, stagger the stacking process to add more strength to the pile. If stacked, the height of the pallet should not exceed 90cm, or 1.8m (72 inches) for non-stacked. A standard pallet can hold up to 2000 kg.
If any items, especially hazardous ones, arrive at the FC and are deemed to fail packaging requirements, they may be rejected and include a surcharge.
3. Wrap the shipment
All pallet loads will be stretch wrapped for protection, but if you need extra support, some popular options include: bracing lumber, load protectors, edge boards, bands and foam cushioning. Once you have stacked and made sure at least one label is visible on each side of your load, you can start wrapping:
Pallet wrap in 4 easy steps
1. Begin by measuring approximately a metre of stretch wrap from the roll and tucking the end in one corner of the pallet base.
2. Walk around the freight while wrapping tightly two times before working your way upwards in a spiral motion while making sure there is at least a 50% overlay between each wrap. To increase the strength of your wrap, you can twist it every other rotation.
3. Once you have reached the top, stretch it directly over the freight corners for extra strength, pulling down slightly to increase tension. Work your way back down, again using spiral motions down to the bottom. At this point, ensure it is tautly secured by overlapping the base with several layers.
4. Tear off the wrap and once more tuck it under the edge.
In terms of preferred wrap, some use perforated wrap if the product, like food or other items that emit a scent, require breathing space. Be sure to test the load stability of the goods to make sure they won’t shift in transit — which you can do by pushing against the upper items 1.1.
2. Walk around the freight while wrapping tightly two times before working your way upwards in a spiral motion while making sure there is at least a 50% overlay between each wrap. To increase the strength of your wrap, you can twist it every other rotation.
3. Once you have reached the top, stretch it directly over the freight corners for extra strength, pulling down slightly to increase tension. Work your way back down, again using spiral motions down to the bottom. At this point, ensure it is tautly secured by overlapping the base with several layers.
4. Tear off the wrap and once more tuck it under the edge.
In terms of preferred wrap, some use perforated wrap if the product, like food or other items that emit a scent, require breathing space. Be sure to test the load stability of the goods to make sure they won’t shift in transit — which you can do by pushing against the upper items 1.1.
4. Label the shipment
Once you’re done wrapping, add your clear and legible label on all four sides of the pallets, including as much detail as possible. You can also place a copy of the label inside each box. If, however, the container is not stackable, place your label on the item. If they are being wrapped, be sure to label them before you do so.
In order to ensure your inventory is as transparent as possible, we advise you to first affix labels to the side of each individual cargo box or container, rather than waiting until after you have wrapped the pallet shipment.
For inbound FBA shipments, certain requirements are strictly enforced to maintain a smooth and accurate warehouse fulfilment process.
Please note: labels are only required for LTL shipping, not FTL. For LTL shipments, The label must be printed out from Amazon Freight website and paste it on all four sides of the pallet.
Once your load is stacked, labelled and wrapped, your pallet should be ready to ship. Amazon Freight and our network of partnered carriers have a variety of shipping solutions that will guarantee that your goods are picked up promptly and safely,, ensuring that all loads are carefully looked after throughout their journey. For questions around palletised freight rates, individual shipping requirements or any other requests, feel free to contact us today, at freight-uk-interest@amazon.com and we can provide you with more information.
In order to ensure your inventory is as transparent as possible, we advise you to first affix labels to the side of each individual cargo box or container, rather than waiting until after you have wrapped the pallet shipment.
For inbound FBA shipments, certain requirements are strictly enforced to maintain a smooth and accurate warehouse fulfilment process.
Please note: labels are only required for LTL shipping, not FTL. For LTL shipments, The label must be printed out from Amazon Freight website and paste it on all four sides of the pallet.
Once your load is stacked, labelled and wrapped, your pallet should be ready to ship. Amazon Freight and our network of partnered carriers have a variety of shipping solutions that will guarantee that your goods are picked up promptly and safely,, ensuring that all loads are carefully looked after throughout their journey. For questions around palletised freight rates, individual shipping requirements or any other requests, feel free to contact us today, at freight-uk-interest@amazon.com and we can provide you with more information.
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