Pallet shipping can easily seem overwhelming for both new and established businesses to dip their toes into, but the reality of pallet shipping offers many benefits including cheaper shipping fees, less time organising shipping and peace of mind. The team at Jetbox Melbourne are here to help break down the benefits, specifics, details and definitions of pallet shipping and how to make the most of this shipping process.
Read on for our step by step guide on pallet shipping, which aims to help all business owners sort through the confusion and come out the other side feeling educated and empowered to tackle pallet shipping themselves.
What is a Pallet?
Most of us can picture a pallet. We’ve seen them in warehouses and outside businesses, as well as decor in homes and restaurants. However, pallets are often more than the simple wall hanging or structure we see.
A pallet is often defined as a transport structure businesses use to secure their freight for shipping. This flat structure has a top and bottom deck with space between, which allows for forklifts and pallet jacks to easily lift and move the pallets around without becoming unbalanced.
There are many different types of pallets, many of which you may not have heard of. There are single or double winged pallets, solid deck or slat pallets, alongside many others. However, the most common type of pallets, and the ones you’ll see the most, are the two-way Stringer pallets and the four-way block pallets. The two-way and four-way refers to how these pallets can be picked up – from all sides, or only two sides.
The Different Types of Pallets
Pallets are most commonly made of wood. This is because wooden pallets have many benefits, including being durable, strong and they are easy to repair and reuse.
Pallets can be made in other materials such as plastic, cardboard or metal. Each material offers a number of unique advantages and disadvantages such as weight and recyclability. Cardboard pallets are a fantastic lightweight option that is reusable, recyclable and can handle approximately 100KG of weight.
Why Do So Many Businesses Use Pallets?
Pallets are an extremely useful tool for storing and handling goods for transport. They increase efficiency and are ubiquitous in the international freight shipping world.
Pallets make moving boxes much easier, as a forklift can transport your goods much quicker and more safely than anyone could by hand or with manual tools. Pallets come in uniform shape, allowing them to be easily organised, stacked and counted.
When packing your goods onto a pallet, you not only increase the safety of those transporting your goods, you also protect your products from being dropped or mishandled.
To further protect your pallets, you need a high quality shrink wrap. Jetbox Melbourne also offers super strong shrink wrap to stretch over your pallets and protect them from dirt and damage. If you are looking for an extra long roll that just keeps on going, be sure to purchase your hand stretch wrap from Jetbox Melbourne today!
How to Best Pack Your Pallet
When it comes to packing your pallet, it’s good to remember that the best pallets are ones that are well packed. The last thing you need is for your pallet to break or for your products inside to become loose or damaged.
We recommend that you use new boxes, such as our Australian made boxes, to provide the highest level of durability and strength.
Be sure to securely seal your cartons with high quality packaging tape and stretch wrap. Stack your boxes with the heaviest on the bottom for stability.
Reduce the amount of air pockets in your boxes as these can become areas of weakness where your boxes can cave in. Remember to align your boxes corner to corner for greatest packing strength.
When finalising your pallet for shipping, try to keep the top layer as flat and even as possible to make stacking other pallets on top easier and to prevent damage from the pallets above.
Pallet Packing Materials for Australian Businesses
Jetbox Melbourne is your one stop packaging shop. We offer cardboard pallets and boxes, as well as packaging materials such as tape and stretch wrap to help you successfully pack your pallets time and time again.
Visit our website today to see our full range of quality and affordable business supplies, and make shipping easier than ever! If you have any questions regarding pallet packing or shipping feel free to contact our team.
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