Shipping or transporting large and/or heavy items can be quite tricky. There are a lot of variables that you have to consider in order to ensure your items will arrive in once piece. A little bit of extra preparation can go a long way and help both you and the large item courier service you have chosen.
In order to help ensure your large goods delivery will be without issues, you may want to follow some special steps. They will vary depending on the type of items you will want to transport.
Preparing your items
The obvious step is to prepare the items for the shipping. For example, remove shelves from cabinets if possible. Or make sure any movable parts are well secured so they won’t shift during transportation.
Again, depending on the item, you may be able to ship it in a big box. In this case me sure the packaging includes the filing of the voids so that the item is well secured and won’t move inside the box.
Take effort to reinforce the box, too. For example, add a second layer of corrugated carton at the floor. Use more tape on the bottom of the box, to add even more strength to it. Also add tape on the seams and corners of the box.
If you use a wooden crate, then make sure the item(s) inside are well packaged. Each should be wrapped individually in protective foil. Try to make them as secure in place as possible as you don’t want them to move and hit each other during transport.
In fact you can “double-box” it. Simply put the item(s) in a separate second box, which is also well packaged and secured with foam or foil. Then do the same for the big box or crate and place the already boxed items inside. This way you will ensure maximum protection for the goods.
Some items though are usually shipped without a box. Usually this is furniture or big goods like a washing machine for example. You can still add some protection by wrapping the item in a special transport foil or a simple plastic wrap.
For extra stability, especially for large, but not very stable items, you can also use a bit of rope around them to make them mode solid.
Shipping time
When you’re about to ship the item, you will have to do a few last steps, depending on the type of goods. If they are in a box, then you might be all set – simply hand it over to the couriers. If the items are fragile, or the box must not be turned over, make sure you add the appropriate labels on it, so that all handlers down the line are informed.
Goods that can’t be packed in a box, ideally should be put on a pallet. This will make their handling and transportation much simpler. Ask beforehand if the courier service in question can provide a pallet or if you need to get one.
Pallets are mostly wooded platforms (sometimes they can be plastic or metal) which are very durable. They can withstand the weight of large and heavy goods and are made to be easily handled and moved by courier and warehouse equipment.
In fact, pallets make large item transportation so much easier as they are a standard platform used broadly all over the world. Many people use pallets even when shipping boxed goods as it minimizes the risk of accidents.
When you put an item on a pallet, make sure it’s well secured to it. For this you can use ropes and straps to tie the box or item down in place. Make sure you have at least three or even four contact points of the straps to the pallet.
Sometimes, depending on the item, you can see it be secured in place with bolts or even nails. That gives an extra layer of stability, especially for tall goods like specialized equipment for example. This does not mean you can skip the straps.
Finally, talk with the couriers beforehand and make sure you ask them for any additional steps or requirements for your large item shipment. This will make the entire process much simpler for everyone involved.