Shipping palletised freight is often expensive and time consuming, but this does not have to be the case if you prepare correctly before sending a pallet. 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 as well as preparing a pallet for shipping safely and efficiently. In this article, we run through all you need to know about getting large cargo ready for pallet transport so you can make UK pallet shipping smoother and avoid unnecessary issues at pickup.
What is pallet shipping and why preparing a pallet for shipping matters?
Shipping pallets is commonplace in freight transportation, and when you are preparing a pallet for shipping it will involve 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 once your pallet preparation for shipping is complete.
How to prepare a pallet for shipping
The following steps will help you when preparing a pallet for shipping and 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, including preparing a pallet for shipping, for when it is ready for pickup by one of our carrier partners.
1. Choose the right pallet for shipping
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 pallet size UK dimensions are 1 metre by 1.2 metres, whereas in the EU the average is 1.2 metres by 0.8 metres, along with an additional six types of Euro pallets recognised by the ISO.
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 shipping process when you prepare a pallet for shipping. 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.
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, as this is a key part of preparing a pallet for shipping safely. 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 when you prepare a pallet for shipping correctly.
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, so careful pallet preparation for shipping is essential.
3. Wrap the shipment
All pallet loads will be stretch wrapped for protection as part of preparing a pallet for shipping, 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.
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 when you are preparing a pallet for shipping. 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 are designed to help ensure that your goods are picked up promptly and safely, ensuring that all loads are carefully looked after throughout their journey when you are preparing a pallet for shipping with us. 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.
Frequently asked questions
Before sending a pallet in the UK you should start by preparing a pallet for shipping properly, choose a strong pallet, stack items with heavier goods at the bottom, wrap the load securely and label all four sides clearly so it can be handled safely.
You can avoid surcharges in UK pallet shipping by following pallet size and height limits, using pallets in good condition and preparing a pallet for shipping in line with the labelling and packaging requirements set out by your carrier or fulfilment centre.
The best way to secure goods when preparing a pallet for shipping is to use stretch wrap, edge boards or bands to lock items together tightly on the pallet so the load stays stable during handling and road transit.
You should follow the guidance in this article when preparing a pallet for shipping, keeping stacked pallets below 90cm in height and non stacked pallets below 1.8m so the load remains stable and easier to handle.
Yes, when preparing a pallet for shipping you should remember that standard pallet size in the UK is typically 1 metre by 1.2 metres, while in the EU the average pallet size is 1.2 metres by 0.8 metres with additional Euro pallet types recognised by the ISO.
When preparing a pallet for shipping you should use strong wooden pallets with 4 way entry where possible, along with sturdy cardboard, protective padding and high quality stretch wrap so that the load is well supported.
It is best to prepare a pallet for shipping in advance of your booked pickup so the pallet is fully stacked, wrapped and labelled before the carrier arrives, which helps keep loading efficient and avoids delays at the dock.
You can put mixed freight on one pallet when preparing a pallet for shipping to an Amazon Fulfilment Centre, as long as items are packed securely, hazardous goods meet packaging rules and each box is labelled clearly so the shipment can be processed accurately.
Common mistakes to avoid when preparing a pallet for shipping include using damaged pallets, letting boxes overhang the edges, exceeding height limits, wrapping too loosely and forgetting to label all four sides of the pallet.
Careful pallet preparation for shipping helps carriers handle your freight more efficiently, reduces the risk of damage or rework at the fulfilment centre and can help you avoid unnecessary surcharges linked to poor packaging or incorrect labelling.
