Tips and Tricks for Shipping Pallets Properly
The main advantage to opt for send pallets to transport your merchandise is that they are considered structures of great great resistance and, therefore, safety when transporting by road.
According to several studies, 90% of land transportation is palletized. Transvolando is a company specialized in pallet shipping, both nationally and throughout Europe. Proof of this is that we are capable of carrying out daily routes guaranteeing delivery within 24 hours and keeping the merchandise in perfect condition.
Companies of all types are committed to shipping pallets in Spain and in the international market. No matter what type of business it is or what the product is, Transvolando's palletized cargo transportation will result in greater efficiency. And, as an example, we list several advantages of sending pallets with our palletized cargo service:
Faster and safer handling
- Cargo on pallets can be moved faster, therefore, it is delivered to the destination in less time.
- Requires less effort in the loading and unloading process.
More efficient transportation
- Transportation is more efficient, especially when it comes to perishable merchandise in which transportation time is always key.
- Cargo storage is also more effective..
- If standard size pallets are used, warehouse work, as well as loading and unloading, is optimized, therefore, the workflow is better.
Less risks
- When shipping on pallets , the chances of damage are always reduced since the merchandise is handled less.
- Because pallets are strong and durable, they can hold more products and more weight without the risk of breakage.
Simple transportation
- Your transportation becomes easier because the merchandise is easier to transport.
- Universal pallet sizes and shapes allow them to be easily lifted and stacked with a forklift.
- Pallets with perishable products stay safe and fresh longer if they are on pallets.
How to send pallets at the best price?
One of the most important premises to ensure success when shipping pallets in Spain and that its cost does not increase is that the merchandise is placed correctly, creating a compact load without loose elements that could destabilize the shipping of the pallet.
To do this, you must prevent the load from having an excessive height that makes correct handling difficult. Incorrect palletization can cause partial or total damage to the merchandise, in addition to presenting risks to the people involved in its handling and transportation and, thereby, increasing the time it takes to transport the merchandise to its destination.
And, above all, you must comply with these 4 rules If you want your national pallet shipping budget not to skyrocket:
- All your pallets must comply with the established measurements and weights.
- You can use European pallets that are 120 cm x 80 cm or American pallets that are 120 cm x 100 cm.
- The weight of each pallet must range between 150 kg and 1200 kg.
- Always try to make the pallets removable, this way you can place one on top of the other, thus maximizing the space of the truck.
At Transvolando, we have efficient systems with which we achieve greater productivity in service, we save space and, therefore, we save costs for our clients.
How to ship pallets internationally
When it comes transportation to send pallets to the international market, the importance of packaging them safely increases since they will be in transit for longer than in a national transportation service. Opt for one palletised cargo is a way to protect it during the period in which it is being transported in a truck. To ensure that the cargo arrives intact in your international transport, you must always choose an optimal type of pallet for it.
In addition to paying attention to how to package the merchandise, you should also pay attention to the packaging materials, as many countries have regulations on pallets, especially wooden pallets. Next, we share Recommendations for shipping pallets to international markets.
Many companies are turning to plastic pallets as an alternative to wooden ones. And, in part, it is due to some international regulations on Plastic pallets are not restricted. Plastic pallets do not present restrictions in use both internationally and nationally. Plastic pallets also allow reuse without the wear and tear associated with wooden pallets. They do not require any type of treatment. Over time, wooden pallets break and deteriorate, making plastic pallets a better long-term investment, despite their higher initial cost.
Whichever option you choose to use, be it wood or plastic, just make sure it palletized load meets all regulations related to the international pallet shipping. And if you need help, ask us, and the expert team at Transvolando will answer all your questions.
Tips for shipping pallets safely
If you are looking for a company to send pallets and, even more so, if you want to get send pallets in Spain at a competitive price One of the most important things is to place your load in columns and in an orderly manner on each pallet to maintain the stability of the load and thus make the most of the space on each pallet. This way you will not pay to transport empty space.
Always remember to place the merchandise on the pallet (if it is in boxes) one on top of the other, seeking to guarantee the resistance and compression of the entire load on the pallet. Use packaging elements that compact the merchandise and secure the packages or boxes to the pallet. It is also important to use appropriate protection for the products such as bubble wrap, shavings, film, etc.
You must occupy the entire surface of the pallet, but generating an adequate weight, without exceeding it. The load must be compact and stable, avoiding loose and hollow elements that could impair stability. In this sense, the use of non-slip strips can help, to prevent the movement of merchandise and improve its grip.
Don't forget to warn about the cargo handling conditions using labels or indicators indicating the orientation in which the merchandise should go or identifying fragile packages. And finally, when cardboard boxes are used, they must be new or in perfect condition, ensuring that they are firm and do not have perforations or damage.
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Request your quote in less than 3 minutes at just one click.Frequently Asked Questions about How to Ship Pallets
How do I properly prepare a pallet so it arrives intact at destination?
Five steps: 1) Check the base pallet is sound (no broken boards). 2) Spread the weight evenly, heavy goods at the bottom. 3) Centre the load without overhanging the pallet edge. 4) Secure with stretch film (at least 4 wraps, 20 microns) covering from base to full height. 5) Make labels visible on at least two sides. Proper preparation reduces damage claims by 70% according to insurer data.
What common mistakes cause pallet damage in transit and how do I avoid them?
The 4 mistakes that cause 80% of incidents: 1) Overloading (over 1,500 kg cracks or breaks a Euro pallet). 2) Load overhanging the perimeter (it bumps other pallets at the hub). 3) Insufficient stretch film (boxes shift on braking). 4) Boxes not column-stacked (unstable structure). Fix: use cardboard corner protectors on all four edges to reinforce the column and absorb knocks. Cost: ~€2/pallet, savings on claims: €10-50 per damaged pallet.
What do I do if a pallet arrives damaged and what is the deadline to claim from the carrier?
Critical deadlines under the LCTTM: 1) APPARENT damage: note it on the delivery note when signing (without this, you lose the right to claim). 2) HIDDEN damage: 14 days from delivery to notify in writing. 3) Total loss: 21 days. Procedure: photo of the damaged pallet on the spot, keep the packaging, request an incident report from the driver, and have the original commercial invoice ready. Your agency must lodge the CMR insurance claim within 30 days.
How can I consolidate several small shipments onto a single pallet to save on costs?
Strategy: consolidate shipments from the same destination (province/customer) on a “multi-destination” pallet with individually labeled boxes. Benefits: 1) You pay for 1 pallet instead of N loose shipments (40-60% savings). 2) You reduce emissions per ton-kilometer. 3) Better traceability: 1 delivery note with sub-labels. Limit: maximum weight 1,500 kg, height 1.8 m. Your agency can offer cross-docking service to regroup at a hub if the destinations are different.
Are there single-use pallets or can they be reused, and how does that affect costs for my business?
Three options: 1) Single-use pallet (thin softwood, ~€5): for exports or where the consignee destroys or doesn’t return it. 2) EPAL exchangeable pool pallet (EU standard, ~€12 deposit): swapped 1-for-1 with the consignee; saves cost in the long run. 3) Own returnable pallet (over €20): for closed-loop circuits with a fixed client. For regular B2B, the EPAL system is the most cost-effective. Make sure your agency handles the EPAL pool.
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