Shipping pallets have been around since the beginning of the 20th century. They have been a vital part of so many different industries and well-known to be a safe way of dispatching marine cargo consignments. Pallets can be made of wood, plastic, or metal. The shipping pallet is a portable, rigid, horizontal and a composite platform which is mainly a base for storing, assembling, transporting or stacking of the goods as a unit load. Anything from construction materials, engines and machineries, washing machines, dishwashers, bicycles, furniture, domestic appliances and lots of smaller, boxed, stackable items going to one destination can be sent on a pallet.

Benefits of using pallets for shipping

For buyers, sellers, and shippers, there are several key advantages to using pallets for shipments, among them are:

Portability

The primary benefit of shipping pallets is that they make items easier to transport. By combining many smaller items and stacking them on a single pallet, shippers have fewer objects to keep track of. Having added protection in the form of a shrink-wrap gun, that can be found at places similar to Pro-Tect Plastics, further ensures the portability of any pallets that you wish to ship, as nothing will fall out. Most pallets also follow one of several universal sizes and shapes, making them easy to lift and stack using a forklift or pallet jack. Lifting heavy goods may also require specialized lifting equipment that make use of pulley systems to suspend things in the air. Making sure that the correct pulley is being used in such machinery is an essential piece of design that manufacturers will have to consider and is something that can be learned about over on this page which details the different varieties of pulley and their uses.

Strength

Palletized shipments are stronger because they are on a base of strong plastic, wood, or metal rather than being wrapped in cardboard or plastic. This way, the contents inside are protected from damage caused by handling.

Easy tracking

Palletized shipment enables effective tracking and counting of inventory.

Prevents spoilage and wastage

For certain commodities like fresh produce, pallets provide beneficial air circulation and drainage which regular shipping containers don’t, thus preventing spoilage of goods.

Recyclable and environmentally friendly

Pallets made from any material are recyclable. While plastic and metal pallets are less likely to sustain major damage, they can be melted down and recast, or sold as scrap material. Wooden pallets will wear down over time. Eventually the wooden slats can be disassembled and used in another construction project, used as firewood, or shredded to be used as mulch or compost.

Easy Shipment with Plastic Pallets

Plastic pallets provide many benefits when it comes to international shipping. They are affordable and you’re free to reuse them, which can have a big effect on your company’s bottom line.

Light Weight and Saves Space

Despite their strength, pallets are actually pretty lightweight and take up little space. Shippers and manufacturers can store pallets in tall stacks that take up a minimal amount of floor space in a warehouse. Wooden and plastic pallets are so light that a single worker can carry an empty pallet effortlessly and they add little weight to the products being shipped.

How much does pallet shipping cost?

The cost depends on the location, how fast you need it to get there and the size/weight of the palletised goods. You can get several quick quotes on pallet delivery from the Shiply website, which links you to hundreds of thousands of rated shippers. You could also consider getting recommendations and reviews from other companies. A lot of companies actually use transportation companies like CSA Transportation, so it might be worth looking into some of their prices (see here).

Whether you choose to ship a pallet or multiple packages, you can get instant quotes for both types on the Shiply platform. With the free quotes, you can compare prices and choose a pallet shipping company that best suits your needs and budget. Shipping a standard pallet has never been easier, so why not give it a try?