Proper freight packaging means the product is secured to a pallet that can withstand normal handling, stacking, and transit vibration without shifting, crushing, or tipping — not just boxed and taped for a parcel carrier.
Choose the Right Pallet
A standard 48x40 wood pallet handles most LTL freight, but weight and product type matter. Overloading a pallet rated for less than your shipment's weight is one of the most common, and most avoidable, causes of in-transit collapse.
Secure the Load, Don't Just Stack It
Shrink wrap and banding exist to keep a load acting as one solid unit, not a stack of loose boxes. A load that shifts even slightly during a hard brake or a forklift move can crush the boxes underneath it — damage that often isn't visible until the receiver opens it.
Label Every Side, Not Just the Top
Freight gets handled and stacked in ways a parcel box never does. Labeling only the top means a warehouse worker scanning from the side has to guess, increasing the odds of misrouting or mishandling.
Document the Condition Before It Ships
Photograph the finished, palletized shipment before pickup. If a damage claim comes back later, a clear photo of how it left your dock is the single most useful piece of evidence you can provide.
IZY Logistics is a licensed freight broker (MC #1615290) happy to walk through any charge or term on your invoice.
Get a Free Quote →Frequently Asked Questions
Does the carrier inspect how freight is packaged?
Not usually in detail before pickup, but poor packaging is one of the fastest ways to have a damage claim denied — carriers can point to inadequate packaging as the cause rather than their handling.
What's the most common freight packaging mistake?
Under-securing the load — relying on a few wraps of stretch film instead of properly banding or securing a heavy or top-heavy pallet.
Should I photograph freight before every shipment?
For anything valuable, fragile, or with a history of damage claims, yes. It costs nothing and gives you real evidence if a claim comes back.
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