Packaging your consignment

When you decide to transport your consignment, your priority is to get the goods to the destination in the same condition as it departed.  Packaging will determine just how well the consignment travels and arrives at the destination.

The choice of packaging comes down to what the consignment is and how it will react to various conditions including

• Weather
• Movement on a vehicle
• General bumps and knocks
• Tie down points.

If your consignment is susceptible to weather conditions, you need to advise the carrier.  The carrier will not (usually) leave goods outdoors in heavy rain, however a light shower or sudden thunderstorm may lead to the goods getting some moisture before it can be moved.  If it needs to be kept dry at all times, make every effort to wrap the goods in plastic or some other type of cover.  Shrinkwrap is a common product used to secure goods to a pallet or skid and aids rejecting moisture and securing the goods against tampering.  You can puchase shrinkwrap from Officeworks for small volumes, Chep for larger volumes or independent packaging suppliers.

If you are sending machinery on a pallet or skid, it will be recommended you secure the item to the skid using strapping which is available at packaging outlets eg Australian Warehouse Solutions or may be available from your carrier.  Another method is to engineer bracket(s) and attach to the pallet/skid using bolts.

When packaging your consignment, keep in mind the carrier obviously has an obligation to secure the goods on the vehicle.  You can assist the driver by marking clearly on the consignment where a rope/strap may be placed effectively that will not damage the goods. 

Always remember that your consignment will be handled with care by the carrier, but there are many things you can do to enure it arrives at the destination in perfect condition.