4 Tips For Designing Custom Shipping Crates

Many businesses need to use custom shipping crates to send products, equipment, materials, and components. If you're investing in custom crates, you should have a good idea of how they work so you can work with a supplier to design the right solution. You can follow these four tips to ensure your crates will be more than up to the job.

Study Regulations  

Foremost, you don't want your custom crates to cause more problems than they might solve. Regulatory non-compliance is one of the biggest sources of potential trouble. Especially if you're sending crates across international boundaries, you need to comply with regulations. Some countries limit the use of certain wooden materials, for example, to discourage the accidental transfer of pests. Others may require a certain level of accessibility in case they need to inspect the crates.

Remember to check regulations at all transit points. Start with the origin and work your way through the regulations for every country from there to the destination. Try to find a solution that satisfies the rules at every leg of the trip.

Know the Needs of the Shipped Item

You must know all the potential ways your shipped item might create problems. How fragile is the item? Does it have sharp corners that might damage the crate? Is it heavy enough that it could bust the crate open if it shifted too quickly? Do you need to seal the contents?

Ultimately, you'll have to adjust your designs to account for every potential adverse scenario. Never assume the crate will do the job on its own. When necessary, add packing materials to prevent movement or protect the items.

Identify the Contents

You should provide outwardly identifying marks on the custom crates. Not only will this tell others what the contents are, but the markings can help you keep track of crates as they move around. Always use ink that will contrast against the crate materials. Likewise, use high-quality ink that will withstand extreme friction, humidity, and temperatures.

Think About the Packing and Unpacking Processes

Someone has to live with how you're going to pack each crate. Think about how you're going to position the contents and protective materials. Likewise, consider how the recipient has to unpack everything. Revise the packing process whenever possible to make life easier for the recipient.

Likewise, find a safe spot where you can include unpacking instructions. Provide markings tell the recipient where the instructions are, too.

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