5 Ways to Protect Your Freight before Transit

Protecting your freight during shipment is crucial to ensuring that your goods arrive safely and intact at their destination. In this article, we will explore 5 methods you can use to help you safeguard your freight during transit.

1. Palletizing is a fundamental step in preparing your cargo for shipment. It involves placing your goods on a sturdy wooden or plastic pallet. Pallets provide a solid base and make it easier to handle and transport your freight. If you plan to send boxes out that are not on a pallet/skid, someone will have to pick it up and hand load/unload it at every stop which increases the chances of it being dropped or damaged. When palletizing, ensure that the weight is evenly distributed, and the load does not exceed the pallet’s weight capacity. Additionally, consider using corner boards or edge protectors to prevent damage caused by strapping or banding.
2. Once your goods are palletized, the next step to protect your freight is shrink wrapping. Shrink wrapping involves encasing your palletized goods in a protective plastic film. This technique offers several benefits including securing the items to the pallet, and minimizing movement during transit. It also protects the goods from moisture, dust, and other external elements. Shrink wrapping provides added stability and prevents individual items from shifting, reducing the risk of damage.
3. Banding is another effective method for securing your freight. It involves using heavy-duty straps or bands to hold the cargo tightly together. Banding is particularly useful when dealing with irregularly shaped or loose items that cannot be easily palletized. By tightly securing the load, banding prevents shifting or toppling during transportation. It is essential to use appropriate tension and consider the fragility of the cargo to avoid causing damage or deformation.
4. For more delicate or valuable items, crating may be the best option. Crates provide maximum protection by enclosing your goods within a sturdy wooden container. They are particularly useful for oversized or high-value items that require additional security. When constructing a crate, ensure it is built with strong, durable materials and consider using foam or cushioning to provide further protection against impact. Proper labeling and handling instructions should be clearly displayed on the crate to ensure proper care during transportation. If shipping internationally, make sure your crate meets the wood standards outlined by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
5. Choosing the right service level is also critical in protecting your freight. Different shipping services offer varying levels of security, speed, and handling. Evaluate your cargo’s requirements, such as fragility, size, and time sensitivity, to determine the most suitable service level. Options like LTL can increase warehouse transfers and handling time, while expedited shipping limits those transfers. You can also look at specialized handling for fragile or temperature-sensitive goods. Working closely with your logistics provider will help you select the appropriate service that aligns with your cargo’s needs.

In conclusion, protecting your freight during shipment requires careful consideration of packaging and securing techniques. Palletizing, shrink wrapping, banding, using a crate, and choosing the right service level are all vital steps in safeguarding your goods. Implementing these measures reduces the risk of damage, ensures secure transportation, and provides peace of mind that your freight will arrive safely at its destination. If you have any question about how to protect your freight contact us here.