Pallet Shipping

What is Pallet Shipping?

A pallet (also called a skid) is a flat base that supports goods when moved by a forklift or pallet jack. While most shipping pallets are made of wood, some are metal, plastic, or recycled materials.

How big is a pallet for shipping? Pallets vary in size depending on what they’re holding, but the most common is the one known as a Standard Pallet, which measures 48 inches in length by 40 inches in width. This size is the standard for North America, originally set by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), especially for consumer goods.

The pallet’s length, 48 inches, aligns with the stringers (supports), while the width, 40 inches, matches the deck boards running across the top and bottom. A typical standard pallet weighs between 30 and 48 pounds, depending on the material.

There are two main types of pallets:

• Two-Way Pallet: Has three stringers for support with deck boards on top and some on the bottom. A forklift can pick it up from two sides by sliding the forks under the top deck boards.

• Four-Way Pallet: Features notches or blocks on the stringers that allow a forklift to pick it up from all four sides. These pallets are usually stronger and made with thicker stringers or solid blocks.

If you’re asking, how many pallets fit on a truck? A 28-foot straight truck can fit about 14 standard skids, while a 53-foot trailer can hold 26 standard skids.

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Why Use Pallets for Shipping?

Using pallets for shipping is perfect for businesses managing larger, bulkier shipments and offers unique advantages for protecting products, streamlining logistics, and keeping shipping costs under control.

• Stability and Support: A shipping pallet is designed to hold significant weight, making it ideal for large or heavy items that need solid support. For example, if you’re shipping heavy boxes of canned goods or large appliances, the pallet’s sturdy structure keeps everything secure, distributing weight evenly to prevent damage.

• Easier Handling: A shipping pallet makes moving heavy items simpler since forklifts or pallet jacks can lift the whole unit. Imagine pallet shipping gym equipment or furniture. You can streamline loading and unloading, cutting down on manual labour.

• Consolidation of Goods: Placing multiple items on a single shipping pallet keeps everything together, making it easier to handle and track. So, if you’re pallet shipping sets of electronics or packaged foods, rather than managing dozens of individual boxes, you can strap everything onto one pallet to reduce the chance of items shifting or getting lost.

• Enhance Organization: Consolidated shipments on pallets simplify inventory management. In a warehouse, each pallet can be tracked as a single unit, reducing the chance of misplaced goods and making it easier to locate products.

• Added Security: For high-value items like luxury products or machinery, palletization can prevent theft or tampering. Everything is bundled together on a secure pallet, which reduces the risk of items going missing.

• Better Use of Space: Pallets help maximize space in a warehouse or trailer. By stacking pallets vertically, businesses keep items organized and stable, which is especially helpful in dense storage areas or during transport when maximizing trailer space matters.

• Global Standardization: Standard pallet sizes make international shipping smoother, as many countries require specific pallet standards (like the 48” x 40” GMA pallet in North America or the Euro pallet in Europe).

• Reduced Transit Damage: Long-distance and international shipments benefit from the added protection of pallet ship solutions. Wrapping and strapping items on a shipping pallet works well for fragile goods like glassware, ceramics, or electronics. It helps stabilize and protect them against jolts during transit. If you’re sending fragile goods to Europe, for instance, placing them on a pallet minimizes the chance of damage during transfers.

How to Build a Pallet for Shipping

For efficient pallet ship setup, start with a standard-sized pallet to avoid compliance issues. Place heavier items at the bottom for stability, stack layers evenly without overhang, and add cardboard sheets between layers if needed. Wrap the load tightly with stretch wrap from the base up, and secure it with straps or bands to keep everything secure during the pallet ship process. Add clear labels with handling instructions and destination details to ensure compliance and safe transport.



What is Per Pallet Pricing?

If you’re wondering, how much does it cost to ship a pallet? Per pallet pricing, sometimes called pallet shipping, is a straightforward rating method. It’s a great option if you’re shipping pallets that are large or heavy or if you want flexibility in your LTL costing.

Carriers set rates based on the pallet space each shipment takes up in the trailer, depending on the origin and destination. They’ll specify parameters (like size and weight) for the pallet space covered by the pricing. If your shipping pallets that meet those parameters, you can use your rate sheet to figure out rates for a specific route based on the number of pallets.

Example:

Suppose a carrier offers the following per pallet pricing for shipping pallets from Toronto, ON, to Vancouver, BC. Parameters: Each pallet space cannot exceed 48” (L) x 48” (W) x 84” (H) and 1,650 lbs.

• 1 Pallet: $250
• 2 Pallets: $350
• 3 Pallets: $450

If you’re shipping a single pallet that’s 48x48x40 inches and 300 lbs, the base rate is $250. A pallet that’s 48x48x80 inches and 1,200 lbs would be the same. For three pallets, like one at 48x40x40 (300 lbs), one at 48x40x84 (1,400 lbs), and another at 48x48x72 (1,600 lbs), the base rate is $450.

If your pallets exceed the standard parameters, like you are shipping pallets that are 54x40x84 inches or 48x40x84 inches that weigh 1,700 lbs, you’d need to confirm the rate with the carrier.

Pros of Per Pallet Pricing

• Simplicity: With a rate sheet, you can price up to 10 pallets. Some carriers even offer rates for oversized or heavy pallets.
• Flexibility: If your pallets’ size or weight changes but stays within the carrier’s parameters, your rate won’t change.

Cons of Per Pallet Pricing

• Limited to Palletized Shipments: This doesn’t work for loose shipments.
• Compatibility Issues: If your pallets often fall outside the carrier’s size and weight standards, it can complicate things.
• Not Always Ideal for Light Shipments: Shipping pallets that are small and lighter might be cheaper with per-hundred-pound (CWT) LTL pricing, but it’s always worth comparing.

Final Thoughts About Pallet Shipping

Pallet shipping in Canada is the go-to for LTL freight. But if you’re only shipping a small shipment, it may be worth looking into non-palletized courier or CWT LTL pricing options. Per pallet pricing keeps things simple and flexible, especially for standard pallets, and can save you money on larger, heavier shipments that fit carrier guidelines.

At FreightXtension, we always recommend having a solid way to capture and compare carrier rates and options to get the best mix of service and price. There are many great carriers out there, each with its strengths, depending on where you’re shipping to, your shipment type, and your service needs. Finding reliable carriers, negotiating rates, creating comparison tools, and building strong relationships all take time, networking, and effort. But it’s the surest way to lock in reliable service at the best rate.

Many companies find it hard to find the time to handle all this on their own, so that’s where we come in. We do the heavy lifting for you, extending our preferred status to help even low-volume shippers access the best discounts, plus easy-to-use, leading-edge tools to find the best carrier or courier for the job.

Getting started is easy. Our new clients often ask, “Where have you been hiding all these years?” Fast, affordable shipping is just a few clicks away. Contact us today, and start shipping like a pro!

Optimize your pallet shipping with FreightXtension. Enjoy competitive rates, easy scheduling, and affordable shipping solutions tailored to your business needs.