{"id":64820,"date":"2020-10-12T13:19:05","date_gmt":"2020-10-12T17:19:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lantechweb.wpengine.com\/blog\/preparing-pallet-loads-for-international-shipment\/"},"modified":"2020-10-12T13:19:05","modified_gmt":"2020-10-12T17:19:05","slug":"preparing-pallet-loads-for-international-shipment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lantech.com\/r2\/blog\/preparing-pallet-loads-for-international-shipment\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing Pallet Loads for International Shipment"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

Almost every company is global today<\/h2>\n

At Lantech we have an enormous range of customers. Not only are our wrappers used in numerous industries, they’re also found from a turntable on the dock of the smallest shipping operations to enormous multinationals with multiple high-speed wrappers lined up in a row.<\/p>\n\"palletIn addition to volume, one of the distinguishing features of larger companies was traditionally the fact that they were more likely to be exporting and therefore preparing pallet loads for international shipment. While that may still be generally true, the internet has substantially changed the export calculation for even small companies. Today if your company has a website, you’re a global company<\/a> – and that means you may receive orders and have to prepare small parcels (UPS\/FedEx\/DHL boxes) or pallet loads for international shipment (and maybe soon be well on your way to loading containers full!)<\/p>\n

\"How<\/a><\/span><\/span>Key tips for international shipment<\/h2>\n

That’s both exciting and a bit intimidating if you’re not accustomed to doing so, so we tapped Adam Cahill owner of SUPPLY POINTe<\/a><\/u>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0an international and domestic shipping, packaging, and pallet supply company \u2014 to provide 11\u00a0tips on preparation. He highlighted some dimensional considerations as well as various restrictions on wood pallets (designed to prevent the spread of destructive insects.)<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. All wood materials must be heat treated to the ISPM-15 Standard (unless it is hardwood, plywood, etc.)<\/li>\n
  2. The pallet must have the Heat Treated stamp on both sides to verify that is has been heat treated and the pallet vendor has to be certified, meaning the vendor pays into a monthly inspection for certification (the inspection is to ensure the plant follows safety requirements protocol).<\/li>\n
  3. Pallet suppliers must also be able to provide proof of certification of compliance and have a certain serial number that is also listed on the Heat Treated stamp on the sides of the pallets<\/li>\n
  4. The ideal height of pallets (loaded) should be under 60\u201d in height (for international airfreight). Anything higher or longer\/wider than 125\/96 will require main deck space (freighter).<\/li>\n
  5. Pallets should be stretch wrapped and banded for any international shipping.<\/li>\n
  6. Labels are a must \u2013 adequate shipper\/consignee labels. Any specific labels such as \u201cdo not double stack, top load, keep upright, do not turn, sensitive items,\u201d should be marked on the shipping units<\/li>\n
  7. If the items are sensitive they should be stowed in crates, not pallets<\/li>\n
  8. Plastic pallets are also common and popular \u2013 but costs are higher<\/li>\n
  9. Custom-built crates generally do not require stretch wrapping, but they should be labeled\u00a0and marked as any other shipping unit would be<\/li>\n
  10. If crates are not able to be moved with forklifts, then adequate center of gravity\/lifting points, etc. must be identified and labeled<\/li>\n
  11. Make sure pallets\/crates are built to withstand the cargo in terms of height, balance, weight, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    These tips from Adam address the details of the pallet preparation, but whats important to consider beyond that?<\/p>\n

    Who’s risk & cost?<\/h2>\n

    The optimist in each of us likes to assume that everything will be delivered in the same condition it was shipped – and of course, wrapping with the appropriate containment force is an important step toward achieving that.<\/p>\n

    But sometimes things get sideways. Among frequent shippers stories abound and include such seemingly outrageous situations as:<\/p>\n