International air and overseas freight was once an area of shipping limited to mostly large companies, but now even individuals are getting into the shipping business to sell a particularly valuable piece of furniture, artwork, collectible vehicle, or other bulky item.
If you're preparing something special for an overseas trip, crating it individually offers more protection than using plastic wrap. Use these five tips to make sure you choose pre-made or custom crates that meet the demands of international shipping.
Wood is the most common material used for shipping crates because it balances weight and strength, offering a lighter weight than metal but more strength than cardboard. However, wood can host insects and other pests that spread between countries when the material isn't properly treated.
There are multiple international shipping codes and requirements, such as the ISPM 15, you must comply with to avoid delays, fees and other penalties. The wood used to build your crate must be heat treated according to these standards. The regulations tend to be very specific, such as mandating an assembled crate must be heated again even if it was built with all treated wood.
Working with an experienced shipper broker will ensure you meet these regulations regardless of the crating method you choose.
Not sure that you want to deal with so many complex regulations just to use wood crates? Try crating and shipping panels built from a virgin or recycled plastic material instead.
These kinds of crates are durable, reliable, and reusable when you're shipping multiple items spread out over time. The plastic material can't host pests and allows for easier sanitation while in important ports. Plastic does tend to cost more, but it's worth the price for important shipments where damage or loss isn't an option.
Regardless of whether you're shipping multiple small packages, a single slab of marble, or an entire vehicle, inspectors will need to open your crate to check that its contents matches it bill of lading and verify there's no contraband or pests hiding inside. For sealed crates, this is often accomplished with drilling to create a peep hole.
Since inspectors often want to make their own openings for a fresh verification, it's easier just to choose a crate built to be opened and sealed again instead. This prevents dozens of small holes from weakening the package. Many inspectors will open a crate regardless of how it's sealed, so a design meant for opening allows for easier sealing when the inspection ends.
Many individuals who are new to the art of international shipping learn a little about crates and pallets and start to assume that you're choosing between the two. While that's technically true, the crate still needs a pallet base built into the bottom so it can be lifted safely by forklift.
This requirement is sometimes waived for very small crates that are light enough to lift by hand, but in most cases, the shipping company will prefer that these small packages are loaded onto a larger pallet case despite being crated. Almost all international freight is handled by forklift at some point regardless of size and weight.
Finally, mark any packages inside the crate with clear labeling. Don't rely on the labeling on the crate alone since there's always a chance it becomes damaged in transit and your shipment requires repackaging. Clear labeling prevents items from being lost or separated.
Still not sure what kind of crating you need for your shipment? Give us the details at
Dolphin Brokerage International and we'll help you design a solution that is tough enough for the challenges of international freight.
