Pallet Packaging Guidelines
If you have multiple items to be transported, consolidating them onto a single wrapped pallet can be an effective way to prepare your goods for delivery. Then you know that all your items are together in one place. Strapping, shrink wrapping or stretch wrapping are good ways to ensure the safe handling of palletised items during transit.
Standard pallet size in Australia
What is a standard pallet size for local shipping in Australia?
Height – 150 mm
Length – 1165 mm
Width – 1165 mm
Their weight is usually about 30-40 kg and they can carry up to 2 tons.
The volume of a fully loaded pallet 1.8 m high pallet (including the pallet itself) is 2.44 metres.
Standard pallet dimensions
Although there are standard transport pallet dimensions in Australia, Freight Quote Australia ships oversized pallets as well. Submit your consignment details via the courier quote form.
Standard and maximum pallet height
There are height restrictions even for different kinds of oversized pallets. The maximum pallet height used for transporting goods in Australia is usually 1.8m. Otherwise, it will be impossible to use a tail lift or other standard ways of lifting for pallet delivery.
A Few Guidelines for Palletising from Freight Quote Australia
- The pallet should be lined with a board or pallet sheet when you load it for freight to stop goods falling between the pallet boards. The board should not be smooth (like Masonite), otherwise entire pallet contents may shift in transit.
- Use common sense – place heavy items on the pallet first and stack the lighter ones on top. Don’t overstack your pallet, or the items on the bottom layer may crush.
- Make sure that the goods do not hang over the edge and block the forklift entry points of the pallet.
- Some palletised goods may need to be strapped into place to secure the load before wrapping. Cardboard angles also improve the stability of a stretch wrapped pallet.
- Stretch wrapping needs to be adequately tensioned to hold the goods in place.
- Hook several layers of stretch wrap under the base of the pallet so that the goods and the pallet are wrapped as one unit.
- One layer of wrapping is not enough for pallets. Wrap extra layers of stretch wrap around and over the top of the goods to secure the highest items.
Common Preventable Palletisation Issues and Recommendations
The main idea behind transporting items on pallets is to create a single unit that can be loaded, unloaded and moved to its required location quickly and easily. Poor pallet preparation can lead to goods becoming dislodged and this can potentially mean that the whole pallet needs to be repacked and rewrapped, not to mention damage that can occur to the goods themselves. The time, effort and money required to resolve problems caused by poor palletising can be quite extensive.
Poor Packaging Example
Associated Problem
Packaging Solution for Pallet Delivery
The pallet has insufficient layers of stretch wrap
Goods shifting during transit
Stretch wrap needs to be at a high tension and requires several layers
The pallet boards are uneven
This causes uneven weight distribution. May cause bottles of liquid in cartons to leak
Use good quality pallets
There is no pallet sheet at the base
Cartons falling through the gaps in the pallet boards underneath
Line the pallet with a board or pallet sheet
Using low grade softwood pallets
Boards come loose, pallets possibly collapse, causing product damage
Timber pallets need to have a Safe Weight Limit which is greater than the product it is carrying. Hardwood pallets are recommended
Strapping bagged products to the pallet
Goods fall off, causing damage to the products and creating a hazard
Strapping will not hold bagged products in place. Bagged products should be stretch wrapped under high tension to prevent movement
Bagged products stacked so they overhang
Pallet now exceeds standard dimensions, which can result in difficulties loading. (The space allocated to a pallet is usually only just enough, with not a lot to spare).
Sharp edges from other pallets can damage the overhanging goods as the pallets are being moved
Bagged products should be stacked so that they do not overhang and the size of the loaded pallet does not exceed the standard dimensions
Loose bags on pallets with no support
Pallet now exceeds standard dimensions, which can result in difficulties loading. (The space allocated to a pallet is usually on just enough, with not a lot to spare).
Sharp edges from other pallets can damage the overhanging goods as the pallets are being moved
It is recommended that bagged pallets have a sheet at the bottom to prevent sagging and preferably have corner angles for extra strength