Posey International is experienced in assisting businesses with air and ocean freight as an international freight forwarder. Consolidation and cross-docking arrangements are only two of the many approaches to optimize and enhance international shipping. But improper freight preparation is one thing that continually damages companies that handle their own transportation. Inadequate freight preparation may result in damages or problems with the carrier that prevent the shipment of the freight at all. For a shipment to go well, it is essential to properly package the freight, provide the appropriate forms, and label the products. When planning any domestic or international air freight, you should avoid the following typical blunders.
Pallets may make handling and moving your items that are being shipped via air freight, as well as goods that are being shipped by ocean freight, considerably simpler. Furthermore, moving freight that has been loaded onto a pallet can be done without touching the real products, minimizing the risk of damage.
Nevertheless, improper palletized freight preparation increases the danger of it being damaged during transit. We’ve compiled a list of the most typical errors we see in palletized air freight to help you reduce the risk of damage to your goods. We’ll also provide our remedies so you can fix these errors. By going over this list, you’ll lay the groundwork for making sure that your package arrives at its destination on schedule and in pristine shape.
Table of Contents
- Mistake #1: Overpacking Your Shipment
- Mistake #2: Pallet Overhang
- Mistake #3: Letting Goods Slip Below the Top Deckboard
- Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Type of Pallets
- Mistake #5: Contributing to Broken Pallets
- Mistake #6: Wrapping Your Pallet Incorrectly
- Giving Your Air Freight Shipments the Protection They Deserve
Mistake #1: Overpacking Your Shipment
Keep in mind that your carrier will weigh and measure the amount of your shipment and charge you based on whichever is bigger when you prepare your air freight shipments. The final word? Overpacking can be expensive, and lighter freight will cost you less.
Solution: Only include as much packing as is necessary to protect your shipment in order to keep costs under control. Overpacking won’t offer much more protection, and it will probably end up costing you money in the long run.
Mistake #2: Pallet Overhang
Make sure to arrange your items within the confines of the pallet as you pack them. Avoid overhanging your items over the edge of the pallet. There are two significant issues with overhang, both of which might result in damage during handling and transit:
Make sure to arrange your items within the confines of the pallet as you pack them. Avoid overhanging your items over the edge of the pallet. There are two significant issues with overhang, both of which might result in damage during handling and transit:
Structural stress. Box edges are where they are strongest. A pallet’s opposite edge is put under more strain when boxes hang over it. It may also provide pressure to a portion of the box that is not intended to support the load. Overhanging boxes are consequently considerably more likely to be crushed, especially if more pallets are placed on top of yours.
Solution: At all costs, avoid overhang. Your products might need to be divided up into several pallets. Even while it initially appears expensive, you’ll ultimately save money by avoiding the harm that an overhang can do.
Mistake #3: Letting Goods Slip Below the Top Deckboard
There may be a recurring theme here. You want to make sure that your freight does not hang below the top deckboards in addition to not hanging over the edge of the pallet. Whenever a forklift picks up your pallet, any items that may have fallen between those boards could be readily harmed by the forks.
Solution: Seek out pallets with the narrowest feasible spacing between the top deckboards. To prevent your boxes from slipping through, avoid placing their corners and edges there. Your load may fluctuate in such a way that it compromises its structural integrity and exposes those boxes to the risk of forklift damage.
Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Type of Pallets
You will have a wide range of possibilities when purchasing pallets. For ultimate stability, the strongest pallets have bottom deckboards. You might also want to think about four-way pallets for air freight since they can be picked up from any direction. An airplane’s cabin can be cramped. As a result, your carrier will have a simpler time moving your load and there will be less chance of mistreatment damage if your pallet may be moved from any direction.
Solution: If you’re uncertain about the right pallets for your shipments, talk to your carrier. By following their recommendations, you’ll ensure that you’re choosing the pallets they can move carefully and easily.
Mistake #5: Contributing to Broken Pallets
Broken pallets have been the subject of numerous tales, which can be disastrous for a shipment. Broken pallets not only run the risk of damaging your cargo but can also cause a considerable delay in delivery. Pallets can unfortunately occasionally sustain damage as a result of events beyond your control, such as improper forklift handling. There are a few things you can do to stop pallets from breaking, though.
Solution: Every pallet comes with a rated capacity. Make sure your load is well within that number. Additionally, if you’re re-using pallets, make sure you inspect them thoroughly for damage before packing a new load. Something as small as a cracked deckboard can significantly weaken the structural integrity of your pallet.
Mistake #6: Wrapping Your Pallet Incorrectly
Stabilizing your load can be accomplished by stretch-wrapping your pallet. But one of the top errors we observe shippers making is failing to first attach the load to the pallet.
Solution: Start at the bottom of the load to attach your cargo to the pallet before wrapping the rest, whether you’re doing it by hand or using a machine. You might want to use banding or strapping to secure the cargo to the pallet for additional support and security.
Giving Your Air Freight Shipments the Protection They Deserve
Even though air freight is handled far less frequently than ocean freight shipments, air cargo still needs to be protected to make sure it reaches its destination in perfect shape. Your shipments can benefit from protection from pallets, which also make shifting your cargo during transit simple and easy.
You may prevent the most frequent reasons for palletized air freight to be damaged by reviewing your shipments for these errors, ensuring that they arrive in the condition your clients have come to expect from you.
Do you have concerns regarding your palletized freight? We’d be pleased to put you in touch with one of our subject matter experts who can answer any questions you may have regarding palletized air freight, packing best practices, and other topics. Simply contact us to schedule a free consultation.