February 23, 2023
How to Ship Palletised Freight
Shipping palletised freight is often time-consuming and costly when it doesn’t need to be. At Amazon Freight, we’re focused on delivering free shipping for our customers with minimal fuss — so we can give them more time to focus on what they do best: serving their customers. Shippers can access a distribution network of over 6,500+ Amazon-owned trailers and 13,000+ trusted carriers. We’ll help you move your less-than-truckload (LTL) pallets and full truckload (FTL) cargo quickly and reliably, leveraging Amazon’s advanced technology and supply chain capabilities.
Whether you’re using Fullfilled by Amazon (FBA) services or another method, this article provides tips for how to send your palletised products smoothly, securely and with minimal fuss.
Whether you’re using Fullfilled by Amazon (FBA) services or another method, this article provides tips for how to send your palletised products smoothly, securely and with minimal fuss.
How standard pallet shipping works
Pallet shipping and delivery services refers to moving cargo in wooden pallets across the country and even international borders. Experienced pallet couriers collect loads from shippers and deliver them to your recipients. Shipping a pallet load with a typical weight of 1000 kg is often quite impractical, and hard for a single company to deliver without an owned fleet of drivers and vehicles. With pallet distribution networks, shoppers can reduce costs by enabling several companies to pool their resources and collaborate — making the process smoother and more efficient.
For many years, sellers have used pallet shipping as a safe and cost-effective way to ship large and bulk items. Pallets allow for various items to be packed together tight and securely, often by using straps or cling-film to hold them in consignment and to prevent damage during transit.
For many years, sellers have used pallet shipping as a safe and cost-effective way to ship large and bulk items. Pallets allow for various items to be packed together tight and securely, often by using straps or cling-film to hold them in consignment and to prevent damage during transit.
What is the standard pallet size?
There is no internationally regulated ‘standard’ pallet size. In the UK, the standard dimensions are 1.2m x 1m. In the EU, the average is 1.2m x 0.8m, with six types of Euro pallets that are recognised by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The most commonly used are block, stringer based, solid deck and double wing. Pallets are designed to either be forklifted from each side (4-way entry) or from the wider edge (2-way entry). Load size, capacity, weight and wood quality also vary.
How to ship palletised freight
By using pallet delivery, sellers can minimise stress involved in the logistics of large and complex shipments. There are a few key factors to consider when shipping a pallet, which we have summarised here:
1. Price
For businesses looking to scale up, budgets have to be allocated wisely. The priority should be to balance good quality materials with ones that are cost-effective. A sensible way to do this is to invest in reusable pallets if you know it will be returned to you.
2. Strength
To ensure a package can support the whole weight of the load it is carrying, the best practice is to pick strong and sturdy materials that can hold the pallet together during the entire storage and shipment process.
Pallet materials should also have a base amount of rigidity, so that they don’t bend or deform over time. When this happens, the integrity of the consignment and therefore the load is diminished, making the entire shipment vulnerable to damage. To counteract this, you can increase the thickness of the pallet board or opt for additional support in order to keep the load strong and stable.
Pallet materials should also have a base amount of rigidity, so that they don’t bend or deform over time. When this happens, the integrity of the consignment and therefore the load is diminished, making the entire shipment vulnerable to damage. To counteract this, you can increase the thickness of the pallet board or opt for additional support in order to keep the load strong and stable.
3. Functionality
Your pallet needs to be compatible with most equipment, so make sure yours is in keeping with industry standards. The reason for this is that standard pallets undergo a lot of movement and stacking in a variety of environments. Be sure to choose durable pallets with enough top board spacing to ensure that the consignment will not be damaged by the forklift blades during transfer.
A broker’s business depends on taking the difference between the amount the shipper is willing to pay to ship their freight, and the final rate which the broker goes on to negotiate for the shipper. This difference is otherwise known as the ‘spread’, which yields a net profit to the broker after their operating costs are taken into account. A freight broker might do this independently, or as part of a brokerage agency.
Whether you have individual pallets to move or an entire warehouse, once we’ve accepted your load, we’re committed to delivering it. And if for any reason your shipment isn’t collected, we’ll proactively reschedule collection and delivery for you without fuss.
Our round-the-clock support is also backed up by transparent and competitive pricing. You can quote spot prices for your freight routes instantly via our digital platform and book according to your needs. Otherwise, you can speak directly to a member of the team to agree on the best contracted rate for your business. At Amazon Freight, we treat your freight like our own. Get in touch with the team at freight-uk-interest@amazon.com to find out how we can help you navigate the road ahead
Our round-the-clock support is also backed up by transparent and competitive pricing. You can quote spot prices for your freight routes instantly via our digital platform and book according to your needs. Otherwise, you can speak directly to a member of the team to agree on the best contracted rate for your business. At Amazon Freight, we treat your freight like our own. Get in touch with the team at freight-uk-interest@amazon.com to find out how we can help you navigate the road ahead
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