Do’s and Dont’s for Palletised Delivery

Posted 20th October, 2020

Here at Station Couriers, we’ve been helping our customers to make the most of palletised delivery since 2002. We provide a comprehensive range of local, national and international services for a range of clients from large, established enterprises to sole traders and startups. Whatever your logistics requirements, we have a solution to fit. If you are new to palletised shipping, here are some do’s and don’ts to help you and your customers enjoy the best possible experience.

1. Choosing the right pallet

Having the right pallet is the starting point to ensuring that your goods arrive safely at their destination. Here’s what our experts recommend:

Do

• Use the right size of pallet for your consignment – this will ensure a more secure load and may also save you money. Not sure what size pallet to use? Drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help.
• Use a pallet specification recommended by the carrier or one that is compliant with pallet standards. This will assist with handling and loading to ensure your delivery reaches its destination as fast as possible.
• Plan ahead – if you are not sure about pallet requirements or don’t have appropriate pallets available, get in touch in good time and we’ll be able to help.

Don’t

• Use rotten or damaged pallets. When providing your own pallets, always inspect them before use to make sure they are sturdy. Wooden pallets can get damaged during handling or suffer water damage causing rot at the base, while plastic pallets might get chipped or damaged during transit. This may result in goods falling off and getting damaged or destroyed, and also puts those handling your items at risk. Some pallets are also designed for single use only and should not be reused

2. Packing your goods safely

Do

• Utilise your pallet effectively. Carefully arranging your items on the pallet will mean more stock per pallet. Not only will this save you time and money, it will also result in fewer supply trucks and fewer shipping rounds, meaning a smaller impact on the environment. Make sure you stick to the maximum weight limit for your pallet type.
• Pack big and bulky items bottom-first. Good weight distribution is everything when it comes to keeping the goods on the pallet where they belong – as well as preventing other items from being crushed.
• Use an appropriate method to fasten your load to the pallet. Plastic shrink wrap is generally better at securing boxes, while large or bulky items may require ratchet straps. You may also want to use corner protectors.
• Ensure that the delivery and contact details are complete and clearly visible.

Don’t

• Leave gaps. Ideally, there should be no space between boxes. Aim to pack your pallet like a jigsaw puzzle – the less room for movement, the less your boxes are likely to slide or collapse.
• Allow items to overhang the edges of the pallet as they can get damaged and can make it difficult to accommodate your consignment on the vehicle.

3. And finally – be ready

It goes without say, but when you have booked your collection, make sure that the pallets are ready on time so that our drivers can work as swiftly as possible to keep all of our customers happy. If you are not sure whether the delivery vehicle will be able to access your property, please let us know in advance so we can make sure we send an appropriate vehicle.

To find out more about working with Station Couriers or to book a pallet collection today, call your local logistics experts now on Newtown 01686 621190.