Written by Dan Blackman, Head of Operations, Forest Freight
The key steps to palletising your pallets
When it comes to sending your goods for pallet delivery, it is vital that you understand the latest requirements to ensure everything goes smoothly.
As part of the preparation process, you should be aware of the palletising steps when loading a specific type of pallet for collection. Whether you are sending your pallet by air, road, rail or sea, it will need to meet the specific packing and safety regulations before it can be distributed. It is your responsibility to make sure the goods are stacked safely on your pallet and are packaged correctly. So, to help you get organised, we have outlined the most up-to-date regulations in our 2022 guide to palletisation, to ensure your palletised goods get where they need to be.
If you’re sending pallets, you need to know the rules for palletisation outlined below.
Stacking your palletised goods
When loading your pallet with boxes, it is key that you stack them so that the weight is distributed evenly. This means putting the larger and heavier items at the bottom, as well as covering all sides of the pallet. To ensure the boxes are level with the surface, we recommended stacking them in columns. This avoids any movement and allows other items to be stacked on top.
Keeping the top surface flat is essential for palletisation and onward transportation. You will be at risk of surcharges if your pallet is non-stackable. Creating a stable pallet structure ensures the safety of your consignments during transit and prevents other business’ goods from getting damaged.
Concerned about palletisation and packing for your pallets? Speak to a Forest Freight expert to ensure you’re staying compliant.
QUICK GUIDE:
- Distribute weight evenly on a pallet
- Stack in even columns
- Keep the top as flat as possible
Items cannot overhang
Another palletisation rule to remember is that your consignments are not allowed to overhang, as this can expose goods to damage. The load on your pallet must be fully contained within the base to ensure stability and safety for transportation. If your items are outside of this area and you have not booked for extra space, then your pallet is likely to be rejected which means you’ll incur a surcharge. Or, in the event that your goods do overhang the pallet and become oversized, you will be required to pay an extra fee towards additional lorry space.
QUICK GUIDE:
- Ensure goods fit on a single pallet
- If in doubt, book 2+ pallets to avoid extra charges
Wrapping your goods properly
Shrink Wrapping
Once your load is safely stacked, the next step is to ensure your goods are wrapped correctly to meet the latest palletisation specifications.
Typically, shrink wrapping is the most effective and reliable method for keeping your items protected and prevents your goods from falling or shifting during delivery. Using multiple layers of shrink-wrapping material will make all the difference to the safety of your load and gives your consignments extra security.
TOP TIP: The best type of shrink wrapping is Linear Low-Density Polyethylene but you can also use PVC.
When using the shrink wrapping, you’ll need to attach the film by threading it around a corner of the pallet and around the base to keep a consistent finish. Your pallet must then be tied with plenty of rope to secure the film in place as this will help avoid it coming loose. After applying your shrink wrapping, you need to heat the material to create a tight film around your pallet load. Be mindful to position your goods close together so that you do not damage them in the wrapping process.
There are many other types of strapping solutions to secure your pallet, but at Forest Freight we tend to use a combination of both stretch wrapping and banding techniques to increase the load stability of our pallet deliveries.
QUICK GUIDE:
- Use shrink wrapping to secure your goods to the pallet
- Start at the base of the pallet and work up
- Use rope or ties to secure the wrapping
- Heat the plastic to finalise the palletisation process
Plastic Packaging Tax 2022
As of April 2022 there is a new regulation enforced by the UK government. Businesses and hauliers will be charged at a rate of £200 per tonne for plastic packaging they use.
If you are a business or organisation that has manufactured or imported 10 or more tonnes of plastic packaging components, which contain less than 30% recycled plastic, you will be required to register with an environmental regulator. You will also be responsible for submitting records of your recycled plastic contents or tonnage that you have handled.
To understand the changes, check if you’re compliant and find out if you should pay the Plastic Tax. Visit the government website here.
Checking your pallet load
After you have followed the main palletisation steps, be sure to check that you have met the above criteria prior to sending your pallet for delivery. This will help to streamline the whole shipping process and ensure your goods get where they need to be, in top condition. It will also save you any additional costs further down the line, so you can maximise the cost-efficiency of your business.
Palletisation FAQs
Why is palletisation important?
Palletisation is the most effective and efficient way to ensure the safe transportation of your goods from point A to point B. It is the industry standard for freight across road, sea and air, ensuring consistency in packing and devanning. Without palletisation, freight would be much slower and less cost-effective for forwarders and businesses that rely on it everyday.
How many pallets can you fit in a 20ft container?
A standard 20ft container can hold up to 11 individual pallets. Likewise, a 40ft container can hold up to 23-24 pallets depending on the goods being transported. It’s important to consider how many containers and deliveries you might need when booking your consignments so you can prepare palletisation effectively!
What are the disadvantages of palletisation?
The only real disadvantages of palletisation on the side of businesses and forwarders is the strict requirements and regulations. As mentioned above, if you are not up to code, you may incur additional charges. There is also the Plastic Tax in the UK to consider, which adds additional costs to sending goods.
However, the cost of potential damage to goods without palletisation far outweighs the overheads of making sure it is done correctly.
Ready to send your pallets?
Does your delivery tick all the palletisation guidelines? Forest Freight is here to ensure your pallet delivery is fast and efficient. If you’d like to check out our warehousing, delivery or packing services, please speak with our friendly team to discuss your needs.
