How to Ship a Crate: The Best Way to Deliver Valuable and Fragile Cargo

Cardboard is fine. It can do a lot, like carry books, clothing, random office goods, and even become a pirate ship. However, the helpfulness of cardboard starts to waver when items get heavy and oddly shaped.

Crates are the answer to simple boxes when the integrity of your cargo is on the line, and they protect heavy, fragile, and important shipments from being damaged.

In this article we’ll talk about everything you need to know to prepare and make a shipment using crates. 

Choose the Right Crate

Choosing the right size crate for your shipment is more than finding the right dimensions. The things to consider when choosing a crate are:

• Dimensions: Your items need to fit in the crate
• Strength: Your crate needs to be able to hold the weight of your items
• Durability: Your crate needs to withstand the rough handling of shipment

Finding the proper sized crate is easy enough. Grab a measuring tape and measure the full dimensions of your items. When you’re ready to buy a crate, make sure you choose one with enough space for your item to fit easily. Depending on the item, you may want to intentionally leave a couple inches of empty space so that you can fill it in later with a cushion.

The strength of your crate will largely be determined by the material. Thick cardboard crates are a good choice for smaller heavier items, but large cardboard crates should only be used for lighter shipments. On the contrary, wooden crates can hold just about anything. They can also be reinforced and offer strong protection.

The shipping process can be rough. When changing hands, crates will need to be moved around multiple times. A durable crate will make sure your shipment is protected. Wood is the go to option for a durable crate.

Pack the Crate

Now that you’ve gotten a crate that is the proper size, material, and strength, it’s time to pack it. To do this, place your item into the crate and fill in the void with packing peanuts, bubble wrap, blankets, or any kind of soft packing materials. Even if your cargo isn’t fragile, the crate itself can cause damage. In some cases the item can damage the crate which can reduce its structural integrity that can lead to unsecured cargo.

If you’re shipping large items, this won’t be enough to protect your items. It’s a good idea to secure your heavier items directly to the crate.

Securing Items in the Crate

Depending on the item you may be able to get away with only using blankets and other cushioning materials. However, you may want to secure your items to the crate using wood cut offs, nails, and even screws. 

You can do this in several ways, but one of the most sure ways is to drill cross bars into the walls of the crate so they hold the product in place. You could also drill hooks into the bottom of the crate and use tiedowns to keep the shipment from wobbling. 

Related Articles: LTL Packaging Guide: How to Properly Package LTL Cargo 

Use The Appropriate Labels

Help out the carriers who will be handling your items by using proper labels. The most obvious label you should use is a fragile label, but some other labels to consider are:

• “Do not stack” labels
• Arrows indicating the top of the crate
• Flammable or hazardous warnings
• The weight of the crate

Sometimes stencils are used to paint on these labels, but stickers will have the same effect.

Ship With Experienced Shippers

Who handles your shipment is important. Sadly, not every shipper pays attention to labels or handles products with care and tact. Check out the online reviews for shippers and take note of any bad experiences.

The disadvantage of shipping with regular freight is that the items will have to change hands on multiple occasions. However, hotshot drivers can ship crates from the pickup location directly to drop off.

If you’re shipping an item with a crate, there’s a good chance it’s an important or expensive item. Do your research and make sure you’re making the right choice before you decide who will handle your goods.

When to Ship Using A Crate

Using a crate for shipping isn’t a typical thing for many businesses. However, crates can improve the shipping process.

Here are some of the reasons a crate should be used for shipping.

Large and Fragile Shipments

Crates help protect large and fragile shipments from rough handling. Depending on how you pack your crate your goods will be protected from vibrations and shock as well.

Odd and Unique Sizes

Oddly shaped machinery and unique sized shipments can be shipped easier using crates. Crates can be modular and built around what you’re trying to move. 

High Value Shipments

Expensive pieces of furniture or works of art should be moved using a crate. This will ensure nothing is stacked on top of them and give space so the piece isn’t rubbing against anything during transit.

What is the Cheapest Way to Ship a Crate?

The cost to ship a crate is dependent on these factors:

• Dimension
• Weight
• Distance traveled

Because wooden crates add weight to the shipment, you can expect to pay a bit more shipping. However, it is better to pay more and have the shipment arrive undamaged than pay less for a damaged shipment.

The cheapest way to ship a single crate is through an LTL carrier. You won’t need to pay for an entire semi-truck, but it will take extra time and increase the likelihood of being damaged because your shipment will change hands several times.

Shipping a crate with a hotshot strikes the balance between cost efficiency, speed of delivery, and protection of goods. Hotshots are specialized drivers that carry LTL freight from the pickup location directly to the drop off location. They’re efficient, agile, and careful. 

Ship Crates Fast With Open Road

Open Road Shipping is the platform that makes shipping with hotshot drivers easy. Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up on the platform
2. Post the job
3. Get what you need, when you need it

We vet all our drivers and find a driver that can move your goods when you need them. Sign up now.