What Is Pallet Shipping?
When you need to ship a number of items in one go, or a larger item, using pallets (sometimes called skids or crates) can often be a great solution. They are the most commonly used method of packing in freight transport and allow for easy movement, loading, and unloading. However, with so many pallet shipping companies available to choose from finding the right service for you can be difficult.
On Shiply there are hundreds of pallet shipping companies ready to send you a custom quote for your job, often up to 75% cheaper than usual.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Pallet?
There are many factors involved that can affect the price of your pallet shipment, and for this reason, giving an estimate is tricky. We have however listed a number of factors that will affect the price o your delivery so you can get an idea of what you can expect to pay:
Distance - If a pallet needs to be shipped overseas then this will incur extra customs costs and the extra distance and vehicles will cost more as well. Shipping a crate or pallet within the USA is cheaper, and although longer distance journeys will cost more, you may find that they cost less per mile.
Timings - If you need a pallet delivered by a certain time then this may involve a pallet shipping company rushing your job, which may cost more as they need to send a vehicle exclusively for your shipment as opposed to putting it on a vehicle already making a journey.
Item Size - How big the items are will also affect the cost, as this will determine how much space they take up in a vehicle. A standard pallet is 48’ x 40", but custom ones are available. You should discuss what option is best with your chosen pallet shipping company.
Locations Of Pickup And Delivery - Urban and densely populated areas are often easy to pick up from and will incur less of a cost than remote areas that require extra travel to pick up the item.
Time Of Year - Depending on the time of year, some routes may be closed due to adverse weather conditions, which can make shipping a crate difficult and could cause your journey to require a longer route.
How Can Shiply Help Find Pallet Shipping Companies?
Jumping between phone books, websites, and search results pages trying to compare your options for pallet shipping can be a hassle, and this is where Shiply can help.
By submitting just a few pieces of information about your delivery such as the item size, pickup, and delivery locations you can begin receiving personalized quotes from pallet shipping companies directly to your Shiply inbox. This gives you one place where you can compare all your options, as well as ask them any questions you may have. Furthermore, Shiply has a rating and feedback system which allows you to browse companies with faith and confidence by reading previous customer reviews.
Pallet shipping rates on Shiply are also up to 75% cheaper than usual as drivers are often operating on a backload basis. This means that they are looking to fill up space in their vehicles on journeys they are already making, which not only allows for a reduced quote for shipping a crate but is also much better for the environment.
Preparing For Your Pallet Shipment
If you have decided on a pallet shipping company to carry out your delivery then there are a few things we recommend doing to prepare for the collection of your item:
Documents - If the item is being sold then it may require a bill of sale, or if it is going abroad then customs documents may be required. Having these documents at hand prior to pickup will ensure that there are no last-minute delays.
Cleaning - Depending on what items are being shipped, cleaning them is a great way of checking their condition prior to pick up just in case any damages happen whilst they are in transit.
Photographic Evidence - As well as cleaning the items you should make sure to take time-stamped high-quality photographs as these are great evidence of the item’s condition before pickup.
Packing - As mentioned earlier, the precise details of your packing should be discussed with your chosen pallet shipping company, but you should ensure that all items are tightly secured to the pallet and that it is wrapped in a protective material such as cling film and bubble wrap.
What To Do After Delivery
The first thing to do once your item has arrived is to check over its condition. Comparing the photographs taken before pick up is a great way to do this and you should make sure to raise any concerns with your pallet shipping company immediately.
We also ask that you leave some feedback and a review for your shipping company. This helps them to improve their service and lets other Shiply users know what to expect if they choose that company.