{"id":66960,"date":"2016-12-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-20T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lantechweb.wpengine.com\/blog\/3-things-to-consider-when-preparing-a-pallet-for-shipping-internationally\/"},"modified":"2020-12-28T15:33:26","modified_gmt":"2020-12-28T20:33:26","slug":"3-things-to-consider-when-preparing-a-pallet-for-shipping-internationally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lantech.com\/3-things-to-consider-when-preparing-a-pallet-for-shipping-internationally\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Things to Consider When Preparing a Pallet for Shipping Internationally"},"content":{"rendered":"

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When you ship loads internationally \u2013 whether by truck, rail, ship, or air \u2013 the extremely long distances and harsh\u00a0conditions can wreak havoc on your loads. The conditions internationally shipped pallet undergo can lead to film punctures, tears, breaks, and, ultimately, damage to your goods. And having an internationally shipped load refused because of damage, even simply losing part of the load to damage, can mean a big hit. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"PreparingSo, while we can\u2019t guarantee that a load will never be damaged, we\u2019ve put together a list of general guidelines that will help you when preparing a pallet for shipping internationally\u00a0and ultimately minimize the chances of damage.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Keep your products dry<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to the Allianz Risk Consulting bulletin about condensation, moisture can cause metal shipping containers to arrive rusted, oxidized, or corroded. Moisture in the shipping containers can cause corrugated cases inside to weaken, fall apart and even become coated with black mold.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can\u2019t keep the moisture from creeping into containers, but you can take steps to protect your pallet loads. Consider taking the extra step to apply moisture barrier protection, like using top sheets to cover your loads. If you can, you may also want to install adhesive plastic strips onto the walls of your shipping containers to seal any openings\u00a0<\/span>(Allianz Risk Consulting)<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Make sure your loads are stretch wrapped effectively <\/strong><\/h2>\n


\nThe biggest element of international shipping that you have control over is your pallet load itself. The best way to reduce the chance of damage then is to do everything in your power to ensure that your pallet loads are wrapped correctly. A key element of properly wrapping a pallet, and reducing the risk of damage, is to make sure they have enough containment force. This is the squeezing pressure the film puts on the load.<\/span><\/p>\n

Containment force is measured in pounds (or kilograms) using a special tool. For information on how to measure containment force,\u00a0<\/span>click here<\/span><\/a>.\"Containment_Force_Recommendations_1.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Different loads require different amounts of containment force. Knowing how much your load requires is based on experience. If what you\u2019re doing is working \u2013 no damage during transit \u2013 use that number as your benchmark. If you don\u2019t know how much containment force you need, start by\u00a0<\/span>downloading a copy of our containment force guidelines<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, you\u2019ll want to make sure your load is bonded to the pallet, to keep it from sliding off. Some people think applying the film all the way down to the bottom of the pallet will do the job. But punctures in the film (caused by the forks on a forklift or pallet jack) can jeopardize the load to pallet bond.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stretch wrappers with good load to pallet bonding devices will\u00a0<\/span>secure a load to its pallet<\/span><\/a>. These devices roll the bottom 3-5 inches of film into a tight cable and place it just below the top board of the pallet. By placing the film here, you can reduce the risk of fork punctures and keep the load in place.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Fit your loads within their pallets.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t forget about the importance of using the right pallet size. You want to be sure that you are using the correct size of pallet for the load you are shipping. <\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure the load sits within the pallet\u2019s perimeter. If the load is too far inside the perimeter (more than about 2 inches), you won\u2019t be able to properly secure it to the pallet. And if the load overhangs the edges of the pallet, the load can hit other loads causing damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, keep in mind that some countries may require you to heat-treat wooden pallets in order to eliminate possible pests or diseases in the wood. \u00a0We recently published an article<\/a> that takes a deep dive specifically into how to prepare your pallet for international shipment. <\/span><\/p>\n

You may be interested in these other posts:<\/h2>\n