Logistics 101

How to package heavy items for shipping

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Proper pallet preparation is essential for safe transport. Follow this step-by-step guide to pack, wrap, strap, and label your pallet correctly before collection.

Step-by-step: Preparing a Pallet for Shipping

Step 1: Choose a Strong Pallet Base

Start with a quality pallet that can safely support your load:

  • Use a Euro Pallet or UK pallet only. Our carrier networks handle UK (1200mm x 1000mm) and Euro (1200mm x 800mm) pallets. Do not use an American pallet, as it is not transportable through our services.
  • Choose a 4-way pallet so it can be easily handled by a pump truck from any side.
  • Check the pallet condition. Ensure the deck boards are intact, with no broken or missing slats. The pallet must be sturdy and in good condition.
  • ISPM-15 compliance: For international shipments, most destination countries require wooden pallets to be heat-treated and stamped with the ISPM-15 mark.
    This prevents the spread of plant pests in wood packaging. Non-compliant pallets may be rejected at destination, causing delays and additional costs.
    ISPM-15 is strictly enforced by countries including the USA, Australia, China, and Japan. Enforcement within the EU varies but compliance is strongly recommended for all UK-EU shipments since Brexit. Plastic pallets do not require ISPM-15 treatment. See our ISPM-15 guide for full details.
A good quality pallet
A good quality pallet

Step 2: Stack and Stabilise the Load

Arrange your items carefully to create a stable, balanced load:

  • Pack items in heavy-duty cardboard boxes for shipping. Triple-ply corrugated boxes offer the best protection.
  • Keep heavier items at the bottom. This lowers the centre of gravity and maintains balance during transport.
  • Place delicate items towards the centre of the pallet where they're better protected.
  • Keep the height level on each layer and ideally ensure all items stay within the footprint of the pallet. If your goods do overhang, you'll need extra care with packaging — consider a custom pallet base and additional securing.
  • Maintain even distribution across the pallet surface to prevent shifting.
A correctly loaded pallet
A correctly loaded pallet
An incorrectly loaded pallet
An incorrectly
loaded pallet
Goods should NOT overhang the pallet
Goods should NOT
overhang the pallet

Step 3: Wrap the Pallet Securely

Shrink wrap (or stretch wrap) holds everything together and protects your goods:

  • Start at the base. Tie a knot in one corner of the pallet base and walk around the pallet, wrapping the base 3 times over before moving upwards.
  • Keep the wrap taut as you walk to ensure a tight, secure hold.
  • Work your way up the pallet, overlapping each layer of wrap as you go.
  • Capture the pallet base in the wrapping to anchor the load firmly.
  • Cap off the top with multiple passes of shrink wrap to seal everything in place.
  • Add corner protectors if needed to prevent damage to edges during handling.

Watch our video on: How to Shrink Wrap a Pallet

How to Shrink Wrap a Pallet

Step 4: Add Straps if Required

Ratchet straps provide extra security for heavier or taller loads:

  • Use ratchet straps for loads that are particularly heavy, tall, or at risk of shifting.
  • Position straps correctly to hold the load without crushing the goods.
  • Tighten evenly using the ratchet mechanism — firm but not over-tightened.
  • Check strap condition before use. Do not use damaged or frayed straps.

Watch our video on: How to use a ratchet strap

How to use a ratchet strap

Stackable vs Non-Stackable

A stackable pallet has a flat, level top that allows other pallets to be safely placed on top during transit. If your goods are fragile, irregularly shaped, or extend above the pallet frame and cannot support weight on top, your pallet is non-stackable and must be declared as such at booking. Non-stackable pallets take up more trailer space and may attract a surcharge. Incorrectly declaring a non-stackable pallet as stackable is one of the most common causes of additional charges.


Step 5:Label Clearly

Proper labelling ensures your pallet reaches the right destination:

  • Print and attach shipping labels on the side of the pallet where they remain visible throughout transit.
  • For extra safety, place one label on each side of the consignment to ensure at least one remains visible regardless of how the pallet is positioned.
  • Use clear document pouches to protect labels from damage or weather.
  • Include all essential details: sender address, recipient's full address, order reference, and service type.
  • Add a return address in case of delivery issues.

How to Measure Your Pallet

Accurate measurements are essential for quotes and avoiding delays:

  • Measure the length, width, and height of your pallet including all goods and packaging.
  • Account for any overhang (though goods should ideally stay within the pallet footprint).
  • Measure from the longest, widest, and tallest points to get the true dimensions.

Watch our video guide on: How to measure a pallet

How to measure a pallet

Additional Considerations

  • For sea freight: Consider using a shipping carton (a pre-built wooden box) that affixes onto a pallet base for added protection during ocean transport.
  • Collection and delivery: Please be advised that collections and deliveries are kerbside-to-kerbside. Pallets must be placed on a hard, even surface (i.e. concrete or tarmac).
  • For specific items such as engines, furniture, or personal effects, additional packing and documentation requirements apply. See the FAQs below for detailed guidance.

Please note, these tips are general guidelines only and we can't be held responsible if your goods are damaged as a result of unsuitable packaging.

Get in Touch

Frequently Asked Questions

Pallet selection

Use a UK pallet (1200 × 1000 mm) or a Euro pallet (1200 × 800 mm) with 4-way entry so a pump truck can lift from any side. The pallet must be sturdy with intact deck boards, no broken or missing slats, and no protruding nails. Do not use American pallets — they are not transportable through our carrier networks.
Yes, provided they are in good condition — intact boards, no major damage, no protruding nails. For international shipments, check whether heat-treated pallets are required. A damaged pallet increases the risk of goods shifting or falling during transit.
Yes. Plastic pallets are accepted on all services and do not require ISPM-15 heat treatment. They are lighter and reusable but may cost more than standard wooden pallets.
For UK domestic shipments, no. For international shipments, most destination countries require ISPM-15-compliant heat-treated wood packaging. Heat-treated pallets carry a stamp with the ISPM-15 mark. Enforcement varies — some countries (USA, Australia, China, Japan) enforce strictly, while EU enforcement is less consistent. See our ISPM-15 guide.
Yes. Square pallets (120 × 120 cm) are accepted on all services alongside standard UK and Euro pallet sizes.

Loading & stacking

Place the heaviest items at the bottom to lower the centre of gravity. Stack evenly so each layer is level. Keep goods within the pallet footprint where possible. Place fragile or delicate items towards the centre where they are better protected. Maintain even weight distribution across the full surface of the pallet.
Ideally yes. Overhang increases the risk of damage during handling and transit. If goods do overhang, you need a custom pallet base, additional wrapping, straps, and corner protection. Declare overhang dimensions accurately at booking. See our Oversized Pallets guide for larger items.
Yes. Use heavy-duty cardboard boxes — triple-ply corrugated offers the best protection. Pack items tightly inside each box with internal cushioning (bubble wrap, foam, or packing paper) to prevent movement. Then stack the sealed boxes onto the pallet.
Wrap each fragile item individually in bubble wrap or foam. Place fragile items towards the centre of the pallet, surrounded by more robust goods. Use cardboard dividers between layers. Add corner protectors to the pallet edges. Consider insurance for high-value fragile shipments.

Wrapping & securing

Yes. Shrink wrap (stretch wrap) is essential for every pallet shipment. It secures goods to the pallet, prevents shifting during transit, and protects against dust and moisture. Start wrapping at the base, include the pallet itself in the wrap, and work upward with taut, overlapping layers.
Wrap the base at least 3 times before working upward. Overlap each layer as you go and cap the top with multiple passes. As a rough guide, a standard 500 mm roll typically covers 2–4 pallets depending on height. Use more wrap rather than less — under-wrapping is one of the most common packing mistakes.
Tie a knot of wrap around one corner of the pallet base. Walk around the pallet, wrapping the base 3 times so the wrap captures the pallet itself. Then work upward with taut, overlapping layers until you reach the top. Cap the top with several passes. The wrap must bind the goods to the pallet — if you can slide a hand between the wrap and the goods, it’s too loose.
Use ratchet straps for heavier loads, taller pallets, or goods at risk of shifting — particularly machinery, engines, or irregularly shaped items. Position straps to hold the load firmly without crushing the goods. Tighten evenly using the ratchet mechanism. Always check strap condition before use.
Strap first, then wrap over the straps. This locks the straps in place and adds an additional layer of security. For very heavy or tall loads, some shippers strap, wrap, and then add a second set of straps over the wrap.

Labelling

Place labels on the sides of the pallet where they remain visible throughout transit. For safety, place one label on each side so at least one is always visible regardless of how the pallet is positioned. Use clear document pouches to protect labels from damage and weather. Never place labels only on top — they may be covered by other freight.
Sender address, recipient’s full address, order reference or booking number, service type, and a return address. For international shipments, customs documentation should be attached in a document wallet on the outside of the pallet.

Measuring

Measure the full loaded pallet — length, width, and height including the pallet base and all packaging. Measure from the longest, widest, and tallest points to get the true dimensions. If goods overhang the pallet base, measure the overhang as part of the total dimensions. Accurate measurements prevent re-rating, additional charges, and booking delays.
The shipment may be re-rated by the carrier and additional charges applied. If a pallet booked as stackable is found to be non-stackable, a surcharge will be applied. Accurate declaration at booking avoids these problems entirely.

Stackable vs non-stackable

A stackable pallet has a flat, stable top that allows other pallets to be stacked on top during transit. A non-stackable pallet cannot support weight above it — for example because the goods are fragile, irregularly shaped, or extend above the pallet frame. Non-stackable pallets take up more trailer space because nothing can be loaded above them.
The carrier may apply a non-stackable surcharge. This is one of the most common causes of additional charges on pallet shipments. Always declare stackability accurately at booking.

Special items

Engines and gearboxes must be fully drained of all fluids, professionally cleaned, and securely bolted or strapped to the pallet. Wrap the engine in protective material and shrink-wrap the entire pallet. Collection must usually be from a business address.
New furniture in original manufacturer packaging can be shipped as standard freight. Used furniture must be professionally packed — each item individually protected with bubble wrap and cardboard, corners secured, and the full consignment palletised to a professional standard by a removal company. Customer-packed used furniture is not accepted.
Personal effects require detailed inventory lists and professional packing. Every item must be individually wrapped and protected, then securely palletised. Personal effects are handled via DHL only for air and road freight. For sea freight, FCL and LCL services can be used. All personal effects require correct customs documentation.
Sea freight involves longer transit times and more handling than road freight. Use a robust pallet base, heavy-duty boxes, generous internal cushioning, and thorough shrink-wrapping. For FCL, secure goods inside the container with blocking and bracing to prevent movement. For LCL, pack especially well because your goods will be consolidated with other shipments and handled multiple times.

Packing and insurance

Yes. Insurance is valid when goods are suitably packaged to withstand the normal rigours of transit by road, air, or sea. If goods are damaged because of inadequate packing, the insurer may reject the claim. Following this guide, using a professional packing service, or shipping in original manufacturer packaging all satisfy the packing requirement.
Yes. Clear photos of the packed pallet before collection provide evidence of packing quality in case of a claim. Photograph from multiple angles showing the pallet base, wrapping, strapping, labelling, and overall condition.
Take photos of your packed pallet and send them to office@pallet2ship. co.uk. Our team can review the images and advise whether the packing meets the standard required for safe transit before collection takes place.

Collection requirements

Collections and deliveries are kerbside-to-kerbside. The pallet must be placed outside on a hard, flat surface — concrete or tarmac. Drivers cannot enter your premises, collect from inside buildings, garages, sheds, or from grass, gravel, or uneven surfaces.
Yes. The pallet must be fully packed, wrapped, strapped, labelled, and placed on a hard surface accessible to the vehicle before the driver arrives. Drivers are not responsible for packing, wrapping, or moving pallets from inside premises.
Drivers may refuse collection if the pallet is unsafe to transport — for example, poorly packed, unstable, on an inaccessible surface, or exceeding the declared dimensions or weight. If collection is refused, you will need to repack and rebook.