Shipping from the United States

Plan pickup and delivery for pallets, skids and crates. Learn what to measure, how to compare freight quotes and what to arrange at each address.

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On this page

• Describe the load before choosing a service
• Record dimensions, gross weight and stackability
• Build a load that can be handled at every transfer
• Check pickup and delivery equipment at both ends
• Compare consolidated ocean, air and inland options
• Confirm paperwork, restrictions and final charges
• Track the shipment and check the handoff
• Worked example with one heavy pallet and two light pallets
• Frequently asked questions

Describe the load before choosing a service

Palletized freight can include cartons grouped on a base, a single heavy machine secured to a skid or several crates ready for forklift handling. Start with an itemized list. Describe the product in each unit and whether it is new, used, fragile, temperature sensitive or subject to special review. The operator needs the goods description as well as the phrase pallet freight. Two pallets of packaged hardware and two pallets of delicate instruments can require different handling.

Give the pickup ZIP code, destination city and postal code, ready date and requested handoff. Specify whether you want a driver to collect from a warehouse, a supplier to deliver to a receiving facility or the consignee to collect from a terminal. If several suppliers are involved, identify which pieces are at each address and whether all pieces must depart together. For tight deadlines, identify the unit that matters first.

Send photos from several sides if the load is unusual. Include the base, its attachment to the cargo, and any lifting points. Tell the operator about overhang, uneven weight, a tall center of gravity and limits on stacking. Give the package count and label each unit so it can be matched to the quote, packing list and warehouse receipt. Update the operator if the supplier repacks or adds pieces after quoting.

Record dimensions, gross weight and stackability

Measure the completed pallet or crate at its widest points, including the base, wrapping and projections. Use one set of units consistently and specify whether weights are in pounds or kilograms. Give gross weight for every unit, including the packing. A shipment quoted on two pallets can change substantially if the warehouse discovers that one item was recorded without the base or that a component projects into neighboring space.

For example, three identical pallets measuring 1.20 × 1.00 × 0.90 metres take up 3.24 cubic metres before carrier adjustments. If two weigh 300 kg and the third weighs 450 kg, the gross total is 1,050 kg. Send both the per-piece figures and the total. If a carrier compares volume with weight, ask which figure drives the rating and whether it applies minimums, rounding or a charge for unusable space.

Stackability is a handling fact, not an assumption based on the shape of a box. State whether the package can safely support a top load and ask the packer to specify any limit. Share any requirement to keep the freight upright. If you cannot confirm the load can be stacked, say so. Ask how the carrier treats non-stackable cargo and whether its quote already reflects the resulting space requirement.

Build a load that can be handled at every transfer

Ask the packer to choose a base that suits the weight, footprint and forklift access. Group cartons in a stable arrangement, avoid unsupported overhang where possible and use suitable restraints and protection for edges. For a machine, have a qualified packer confirm the support and restraint points. A plastic wrap that keeps cartons together does not necessarily secure a dense machine to a skid.

Protect the shipment against the handling it will receive beyond the first truck. Consider how it will be moved on a warehouse floor, grouped with other cargo and unloaded at the destination. Mark lifting or handling instructions where they can be seen. Record photos of the item and the packing before collection. For solid wood packaging, check the destination’s applicable ISPM 15 requirements before buying or building the pallet or crate.

Put a clear identifier on each pallet and use it in the packing list. A label reading Pallet 2 of 4 helps a receiver spot a shortage immediately. Keep the labels readable through any wrapping. If a crate must remain upright or is not stackable, make sure the operator knows that before booking. A marking on a pallet cannot by itself guarantee acceptance under the booked handling conditions.

Check pickup and delivery equipment at both ends

Ask whether there is a loading dock and a forklift at the pickup site. Record dock hours, the appointment process and any vehicle size restriction. If the freight is at street level, tell the operator what surface the truck can stop on and how far the load is from the access point. Confirm whether the goods are already packaged and where the driver should report. Arrange the handoff with someone authorized to release the cargo.

At delivery, ask whether the consignee has suitable equipment and staff. A pallet may need a liftgate if there is no dock, but the load must also fit the equipment and be safe to move on the available surface. Give the heaviest piece’s weight and dimensions rather than just the shipment average. Confirm whether delivery is curbside, to the loading area or includes any additional placement. Do not assume a driver can move freight inside a building.

For a site with limited access, compare delivery to a nearby freight facility with delivery by a smaller vehicle. Ask what the receiver must bring for collection, whether an appointment is needed and what storage applies if collection is delayed. If the equipment or access changes after booking, tell the operator promptly. A failed pickup or delivery can add costs and disrupt the international schedule.

Compare consolidated ocean, air and inland options

For a few pallets that are ready together, shared ocean freight may offer a practical balance of cost and transit time. Check the origin and destination facilities, the available sailing, and how the load is rated. Ask what handling and warehouse charges are included. A tall or non-stackable unit may affect the price even if the shipment’s measured volume appears small. Check the quoted terms for the actual pieces.

A dedicated container may suit larger loads or freight that needs a separate loading plan. Ask for actual door dimensions, payload and pickup or return arrangements. Compare the quoted scope with shared freight using the same addresses and destination handling. Ask about loading time, appointments and empty equipment return. If a shipment includes one piece that cannot be accepted in shared service, ask whether a dedicated booking is available before committing to packing.

For urgent or high-value goods, ask whether air freight accepts the packed dimensions, weight and commodity. A quote for the flight alone may omit truck pickup, terminal handling, clearance and delivery. For inland legs, confirm the planned equipment and whether local carrier rates depend on dimensions, density or commodity. If just one pallet is urgent, ask for a split quote and compare that with expediting the full shipment.

Confirm paperwork, restrictions and final charges

Ask the supplier for an invoice where applicable and prepare a packing list that maps each piece to its contents, weight and dimensions. Use accurate descriptions and provide values, currency and other information requested by the broker. Confirm who is responsible for checking export filing requirements and who will handle import clearance. If the cargo is a repair return or a transfer between company sites, explain the reason for shipment before documentation is prepared.

Tell the operator if any pallet contains batteries, chemicals, pressurized items, food or another commodity that may need review. Provide the exact product information and any documentation requested for classification. Check whether the destination and each carrier accept the cargo before arranging collection. Special requirements can apply even when the outside packaging looks like ordinary general freight. Ask for the conditions in writing for your specific route.

Compare itemized costs. Look for pickup, appointment fees, special equipment, warehouse handling, international freight, destination charges, brokerage and final delivery. Confirm the currency, validity and exclusions. Ask how remeasurement is handled, who pays duties or taxes where applicable and whether storage, inspection or redelivery can be billed separately. For shared service, ask which costs are fixed per shipment and which change with dimensions, weight or piece count.

Track the shipment and check the handoff

Keep the booking reference, pickup receipt and the operator’s piece list together. When the shipment reaches an origin warehouse, confirm how the facility reports acceptance and any packaging discrepancy. An incoming pallet can receive a warehouse reference that differs from the booking or carrier number. Give every supplier the same booking identifier and ask which reference the destination team will use to locate your goods.

Before arrival, ask who receives the notice and when the cargo becomes available. A container arrival does not tell you that an individual pallet has been unloaded or cleared. Confirm the planned delivery appointment, who pays release charges and when warehouse storage may begin. Tell the receiver the number of pieces, the heaviest unit and the documents they need. Confirm equipment is still available on the date proposed.

At delivery, count the units and check for visible damage such as torn wrapping, shifted cartons or broken supports. Note discrepancies on the delivery record when possible and take photos of the labels and condition. Keep packing, invoices and pickup records if you need to report damage or shortage. Ask the operator who must receive notice and what deadline applies under the booking or insurance terms.

Worked example with one heavy pallet and two light pallets

A parts supplier is sending three pallets to a workshop overseas. Two units carry boxed stock. The third holds a heavy assembly on a skid and cannot be stacked. The workshop does not have a dock, although a neighboring warehouse can receive freight by appointment. The shipper sends the weight and dimensions of every unit and photos of the skid so the operator can confirm the handling plan.

The first quote covers shared ocean service and collection at a destination facility. The second covers delivery to the neighboring warehouse, including an appointment. The shipper compares the destination costs, how the third unit is rated and who is responsible for moving the goods from the neighboring warehouse to the workshop. They also confirm whether separate insurance is available for the assembly.

The shipper gives each unit a mark and includes the marks on the packing list. At arrival, the receiver checks that all three have been released before arranging final collection. If only two are available, the operator can trace the exact skid without interrupting the transfer of pieces already released. The receiver keeps the delivery receipt and records any marks on the wrapping.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ship only one pallet?

You can request a quote for one unit. Send the commodity, ready date, packed measurements, gross weight and both postcodes. Ask about service minimums, loading equipment and destination handling so you can compare the complete cost.

What if my supplier cannot confirm the weight yet?

Use a clearly marked estimate for planning and ask when it can be verified. Confirm which party will measure and weigh the load before dispatch. Send updated figures promptly because the freight rate, equipment or service acceptance may change.

Can I combine pallets from different suppliers?

Ask for a consolidation quote and give each pickup address and ready date. Confirm who will label the pieces, how warehouse intake is recorded and what costs apply if one supplier misses the cutoff. Ask for a split option if one pallet is urgent.

Does delivery include unloading?

Check the written quote for the handoff point and equipment. Share dock access, liftgate requirements and the heaviest item’s gross weight. Confirm whether the receiver will unload, the carrier provides a service, or collection at a facility is a better fit.

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Ocean freight and consolidation · Shipping documents and restrictions · Shipment help · USDA wood packaging guidance