The Complete Guide to Palletizing Shipments for Trucking and Air Freight

How to palletize a shipment for trucking or air freight

Choose a pallet rated for your cargo's weight, stack boxes heaviest-first in a stable column, secure the load with stretch wrap and strapping, and label every side clearly. Here's each step.

1. Select the right pallet

Choose a pallet that can support the weight and dimensions of your cargo. Standard wooden pallets typically support 1,500–3,000 kg, while plastic pallets can handle over 3,000 kg. Confirm the exact weight capacity with the manufacturer or through pre-shipment testing — don't estimate.

2. Prepare your goods

• Box selection: Use sturdy boxes rated for the weight of their contents, with no existing damage.
• Stacking method: Arrange boxes in a columnar stack, heavier items at the bottom. Avoid overhanging edges — an edge that extends past the pallet is a common cause of damage in transit.

3. Secure the load

• Stretch wrap: Wrap from the base upward to secure the load tightly and prevent shifting.
• Strapping: Use metal or durable plastic strapping for extra security — make sure it doesn't block forklift access points.

4. Label clearly

Put a clear label on each side of the pallet, including delivery and return addresses, contact numbers, and any special handling instructions. Add a "Non-Stackable" label if the load can't have anything stacked on top of it.

5. Check regulatory compliance

International shipments often require heat-treated or otherwise compliant pallets, and have their own size and weight restrictions. Confirm the requirements for your destination before shipping to avoid delays or penalties.

A well-palletized shipment reduces damage claims and speeds up handling at every stage of transit. For the box-level packaging that goes onto the pallet, see guidelines for good packaging, and compare LTL freight options in our LTL Freight Service.