If you need to ship palletised goods, some careful planning and a little preparation upfront can save you a great deal of trouble, not to mention unwelcome expense. This blog has been written to help ensure that the next time you send goods with one of a number of UK companies that transport, such as Jeavons Eurotir, you know that everything is appropriately protected and your shipments have the very best chance of arriving intact, thereby keeping your reputation intact too.
What Could Go Wrong? The Risks of Poor Packaging
Improper packaging has the potential to trigger a chain reaction of costly issues. Here’s what couldn’t be at stake if your goods aren’t packaged correctly for UK haulage:
- Damage to goods – Poorly secured items can shift around and tumble during transportation, leading to costly expenses, potential insurance claims, and if you supply direct to your clients, some very unsatisfied customers.
- Spiralling Costs – Damaged goods can mean not only product losses, but also added charges for returns, extra shipments, and processing claims.
- Shipment Delays – If goods arrive damaged then they may be refused to be signed for when entering delivery points. This leads to shipping delays and extra handling processes.
- Rejected Pallets – Transport companies UK-wide have strict guidelines for acceptable loads. If your pallet isn’t stable, secure, and compliant, it can be turned away at the collection point before it has even begun its journey.
- Health and Safety Issues- Loose goods can pose a real risk to road users, transportation crews, and warehouse staff.
- Reputational Damage – Delivery problems can quickly impact customer trust. In today’s competitive market, poor reviews can quickly lead to lost contracts and dwindling revenue.
- Insurance – If your goods aren’t packaged to appropriate standards, insurance claims for damage may be denied, leaving you out of pocket.
Packaging Best Practices: What You Need to Do Before You Send Your Goods
Here is a helpful checklist for you to consult the next time you’re prepping your goods ready for transportation in the UK:
✅ Fit for a Pallet — Make sure the goods you need to send are actually suitable for palletising. That means stacking securely well inside all of the pallet’s edges (not over the sides). Most companies that transport pallets in the UK will only accept stable loads.
✅ Heaviest Goods at the Base — A strong foundation really matters when it comes to building pallets. Always place heavier and larger goods at the base of your pallet so that it is well balanced and stable. Be mindful of lopsided weighting and try to distribute weight equally on each side of the pallet.
✅ Protection From Sharp Edges — Any sharp corners need to be covered and protected. Exposed edges have the potential to damage other goods and possibly even injure a handler.
✅ Always Wrap Goods — Use plastic stretch wrap film that’s not degraded or damaged. Choose higher quality wrap to keep everything snug and protected throughout all stages of the journey.
✅ Secure Everything to the Pallet Directly — If goods are not strapped, wrapped, and secured, they are at risk. Pallets need to move as one solid unit, not a wobbly tower that’s an accident waiting to happen. Leading transport companies in the UK often refuse unstable pallets — and for very good reason.
How To Choose the Right Pallet To ensure that your shipment remains intact, remember the following advice:
- Size: Your goods should never hang over the pallet’s edge. Overhanging items are far more likely to be damaged so choose pallets that are wider at all points than the goods you intend to place on them.
- Strength: Pallets should be strong and robust enough to bear the full weight of your goods without buckling. Check for damage and any missing struts before you place goods on them.
- Security: Only use the best strong strapping, shrink wrap, corner boards, and pallet collars (where necessary).
When it comes to packaging, think Solid. Strong. Secure. This isn’t just a motto, if you google; ‘transport company near me’ it’s the best advice that they will offer. UK transport companies offer nationwide coverage as well as international freight, so they are the experts when it comes to knowing how to package and handle pallets.
Need Some Packaging Help? Get in touch with Jeavons Eurotir
If you’re shipping something bulky, heavy, fragile, hazardous, or precious, don’t leave anything to guesswork. Jeavons Eurotir in Birmingham are here to help with all aspects of packaging.
Not all large national transport companies in the UK can offer the same level of one-to-one service, and search results for ‘transport company near me’ often return details of companies that can often match price, but not customer satisfaction.
The term at Jeavons Eurotir knows the tricks of the trade for packaging palletised goods the right way — giving your shipment the best possible protection from journeys starting right through to journey’s end.
Reach out today if you’d like tailored advice from experienced experts. Let us help you to ensure that your goods arrive in the manner that you intend them to: in pristine condition.
Ready to ship smarter with the companies that transport goods safely and reliably?
Get in touch with Jeavons Eurotir right now.