Shipping a large item, or several boxed items, can benefit from being secured to a pallet. These simple structures keep your goods off the floor and make loading for pickup and delivery hassle-free. In reviewing the cost of pallet shipping, you’ll see it can also be very economical.
Key Takeaways:
Today, I’ll go over the basics of pallet shipping and what factors will impact how much this service will cost.
Pallet shipping is when goods are secured to a narrow wood or plastic platform, known commonly as a pallet, before being loaded onto a vehicle for transport. A single large item or several boxed items can be prepped and shipped this way.
Used by various businesses and personal shippers, it provides a means to keep cargo secure during the length of its journey. Pallets are designed to be moved via forklift or pallet jack, making loading and loading much simpler and safer, especially when goods need to transfer between transport modes or storage.
Businesses of all sizes rely on standard pallets to ship bulky items, fulfill B2B orders, and otherwise move goods that are too big or heavy for standard parcel post.
Pallet shipping is also an option for individuals who need to move large personal items in a safe and secure environment, either domestically or internationally.
There is no single flat rate charged by carriers to ship a pallet. Multiple factors, ranging from weight to handling needs, will impact the price you’re quoted.
All shipping companies that offer pallet services are going to request additional details about the load to confirm that what you need is within their ability to provide. It also ensures you receive an accurate price estimate.
Before going into those details, I’ll outline some basic price ranges based on per mile estimates.
Broken down a bit further, you’re looking at about $1.50 to $3.00 per mile. If you wanted to calculate your shipment in terms of weight, estimate about $0.20 to $0.80 per pound. Your shipping quote should be close to a combined average of these calculations.
Just what factors do shipping companies want more details on? Let’s break it down.
The most common pallet size is a 48” x 40” platform with an average weight capacity of 2,000 pounds. There are other sizes and styles that are larger and/or capable of handling more weight.
For additional protection, you also have the option of shipping your goods in solid wooden crates. Like pallets, they are designed to be easily moved with a forklift or pallet jack.
Goods that are well secured, balanced, and have no overhanging material are ideal. Items on the pallet should also be stacked at a reasonable height. Most carriers will impose a limit between 48 and 60 inches to ensure stability and minimize tipping risk.
Anything exceeding these standard dimensions is more likely to impact the quoted price.
Where and how far your pallet travels to is another detail affecting price. Rates change depending on which region of the U.S. your goods are shipping within or to. This is due to factors such as:
In terms of distance, the farther something must travel, the more it will cost. Carriers have to account for things like fuel consumption, driver compensation, and possibly the need to switch vehicles or transport modes.
For instance, if you are shipping from a rural to an urban area, your pallet may start its journey in a standard semi truck and trailer. However, that same vehicle may not be able to navigate within an urban area due to varying restrictions. In such a case, the carrier moving your load may have to transfer it to a smaller van or box truck for final delivery.
Pallet shipments that require some form of special handling or that carry certain labels will be quoted at higher prices. This can include items that are:
Each of these labels means that the carrier is dealing with added liability. Fragile and perishable items are more prone to damage. Hazardous materials can require the driver to carry additional documentation or even have a special license.
High-risk goods might mean that shipments are at greater chance of theft. This can happen with valuable goods, like jewelry or certain electronics. However, it can also mean goods that can be easily resold and lack tracking, like small electronic accessories or cosmetics.
Related: High Value Cargo Transportation: Lowering Shipping Risks
Making a special request of a driver or carrier company, even if you think of it as a small request, is still likely to impact the price if it’s outside normal activities.
In the shipping industry, these are known as accessorial charges. The availability of these services is more likely to vary from carrier to carrier, so examine the list here carefully.
Other demands, such as signature upon delivery, further limit the window of opportunity for drivers and receivers. Such a request can also increase the chance of failed delivery if someone isn’t available to sign.
Parcel services, or parcel post, generally refer to shipments of single boxes. Companies providing these services, including the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), will charge by box size or weight. However, they typically don’t accept a package that weighs more or is larger than what one individual is expected to carry, even with some assistance.
For the USPS, the limit is 70 pounds. Private companies will accept parcels up to 150 pounds, but dimensions vary since a large package doesn’t mean something is heavy.
Once a shipment exceeds the weight limit set by the carrier, it’s classified as freight and the pricing structure can change.
Pallet services are provided by companies that move freight items and mostly fulfill orders for businesses. Pricing is different (and more expensive) because you are paying for space on a truck, which carriers aim to fill as completely as possible. As mentioned, there are also additional equipment needs that need to be covered.
Most businesses don’t ship enough goods to justify the cost of using an entire standard sized trailer. Carriers are well aware of this, which is why trailer sharing services exist for pallet shipping. Meanwhile, businesses benefit from expertise and equipment necessary for heavy load deliveries.
Related: Floor Loaded vs Palletized: Which is Right For You?
When a carrier offers trailer sharing, you’ll see it referred to as Less-Than-Truckload, or LTL shipping. A truckload would be an entire standard trailer, such as a 53-foot dry van.
LTL services for pallet shipping provide you with a price break when compared to truckload services because you’re sharing the cost with other shippers. Each shipper with a package only pays for the space they occupy.
Price calculations based on space usage require a shipper to submit very specific details about their load. These include:
If you’ve never gone through the process before, getting help from an experienced freight broker will ensure a hassle-free experience.
Related: What is the Difference Between FTL and LTL Freight Shipping?
Whether you need to ship one pallet or fifty, USA Truckload Shipping has the resources you need. With over 22,000 carrier partners, we can ship your pallet to and from any destination.
Track your shipment with access to our real-time visibility technology to keep yourself and even clients up-to-date.
Benefit from a wide range of related services, including:
Call us today at (866) 353-7178 or submit a services quote to get started. For personal or business shipping needs, you’re in the right place.
R+L Global Logistics
315 NE 14th St., Ocala, FL 34470
