Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find bulk packaging and crating for transportation of collected goods

If you need a lot of smaller packaging for a variety of pieces that you want shipped all together, look for packaging and crating services that help get all of your items together for the long haul, providing different packaging levels for additional safety.

I recommend: DGGR Packaging in Anaheim CA helps all kinds of clients move bulk goods or single items. Find out how their packaging services can put all of your freight inside four simple walls and a roof. Get more bulk solutions for versatile transportation packaging from MHF Logistical Solutions in Sweetwater, TN, through the company's online demo and order form pages.

Look for equipment packaging and crating for transportation of large single pieces

Some shops have specific pieces of machinery, from vehicles, single-use robotic installations, or high-forged steel tools, that need to go somewhere safely. Find crating shops that will get your machines encased in solid wood cartons for the trip.

I recommend: Marler Enterprises Crating and Shipping offers heavy crating for sensitive equipment and other big items. Get versatile rigging, crating and other solutions through the detailed online site. Get more specific equipment crating from F. P. Woll for an Atlantic solution for heavy freight.

Find hazmat packaging and crating services and solutions

These days, with all of the freight sharing going on in the global marketplace, there has been a rising demand for hazardous materials (or 'hazmat') packaging and crating solutions. So much of the gear companies ship includes volatility risk, or chemicals with hazard potential. That doesn't mean the stuff is going to blow up en route, but it does mean freight needs to be handled with special care for compliance with national and international regulations.

I recommend: Find comprehensive hazmat crating and packing solutions at AirPack, an industry leader for moving volatile freight. The Compliance Center offers more in specialized hazmat crating and packing, including helpful info on DOT, UN and other regulations.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Measuring your freight is a good first step for getting on the ordering line; also think about weight limits, fragile accessories, or any other considerations for your order when talking to packaging and crating services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find crating and packaging solutions for transportation of your equipment, furniture and machinery

Crating provides a couple of valuable services for your business because it protects your heavy and large items. Additionally, you can increase your efficiency and keep organized by packing your boxes with smaller items and then loading them inside crates for transport and storage.

I recommend: Go to Orbit and inquire about their crating services and other transport packaging services; this company originated in 1967 and can handle all your commercial and industrial transportation packing needs. Visit the IPC website to see all the custom packaging options they provide. This company specializes in wooden crating techniques that can provide solutions for transport packaging of your tradeshow setup, machinery or any equipment you need to move.

Save yourself time by using a transport packaging company that specializes in hazardous materials

To package hazardous materials for transport, you must follow strict guidelines and procedures. Rather than spending hours learning about how to package your items, contract with a packaging service that specializes in hazardous material crating and packaging for transportation.

I recommend: Start with HAZPlus if you need to package your chemicals or other hazardous materials for transport; with a strict quality assurance program, they comply with UN and DOT regulations and can also assist with package labeling and closing/opening tools. Contact KitPackers if your product requires dry ice for shipping; they specialize in packing and shipping hazardous materials and boast they possess the best labeling and documentation capabilities in the industry.

Save money by doing your own packaging for transportation

If you've squeezed your budget and find it difficult to hire a packaging service, you'll find several options for crating and packaging your own belongings and products for transport.

I recommend: Grigg Box Company first originated in 1932 and specializes in manufacturing wooden boxes and crates for transport. They can construct any transportation crating solution you need to ship your machinery, equipment or other heavy valuables. If you need to get your produce to market, order the plastic collapsible hand-held containers from Reusable Transport Packaging for a perfect solution for transporting, saving money and container storage when not in use. Contact You Crate for more information or for a price quote. They deliver the boxes, crates and the packing supplies you need so you can pack yourself; then, the company transports, stores and delivers your belongings to their new location.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In addition to clearly and boldly marking a package with 'FRAGILE,' also pack it properly by double boxing when packaging for transportation. Pack your possessions in a box and then put that box inside a slightly larger box, and surround the smaller box with packing peanuts.
• •  Before packing any perishables, check on the level of dry ice allowed by your carrier when packaging for transportation.
• •  If you ship items to any country belonging to the European Union, ensure the crating receives the required specified treatment of Non-Manufactured Wood Packaging (NMWP) Products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find course-based training for aspects of packaging for transportation

There are a lot of resources for businesses on the web to learn about the engineering behind packaging and how to utilize this knowledge for a good 'throughput' process. Use sites offering training options to get contacts and ask how these classes can help to improve the in-house skills.

I recommend: Get crate building and shipping instruction from the Vision Alliance Network. Or get more class offerings from sources like Niphle where the course includes packaging for transportation.

Locate more information from groups dealing with packaging for transportation

Other sites can get you generalized information about business statistics on what to use for shipping freight, as well as practical, bankable advice on how to detail options for packaging.

I recommend: Get packaging and paper testing info from places like SGS Group to determine what shipping options are best for your freight. For more on intelligent crate shipping and packaging, try sites like EPI, where readers can find info on aspects of shipping to inform them about best practices.

Use info pages on packaging for transportation options like wooden crating

Wood crating has its own specific processes and properties: businesses use this procedure for all kinds of freight shipments. Find out about optimal tips for using wood crating at sites that show readers what's going on inside the industry.

I recommend: Find specific industry information on wood crating at WoodenCrates.org. Get tips on build vs. buy and other info for packaging on Nefab.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Any kind of packaging and crating for transportation education and training should include attention to the specific properties of your goods, including sizes and amounts, and where they will generally be headed. Find classes that will get you specialized results for your processes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Protective packaging materials

Protective packaging materials keep fragile or breakable contents safe during shipping. Often they are placed inside the package to keep the goods in one place and to cushion them from shocks. The more fragile your item, the more vital protective packaging materials are. They are also essential for flammable or hazardous materials.

I recommend: F.P Woll & Co. discusses a variety of protective packaging materials available for shipping.

Hazmat packaging

If the items you are shipping are hazardous or flammable, you will need special packaging before they can be transported. Hazmat packaging can protect chemicals or other dangerous substances for shipping.

I recommend: Airpack explains what hazmat packaging is and discusses the labels and certifications needed.

Variation packaging

Variation packaging is the outer container that has an inner package inserted into it. By using the dual packaging, the materials you ship have added protection. Sometimes also called V-boxes or 4GV Boxes. This packaging meets UN specifications, but must be lined with plastic or absorbent materials to prevent leakage.

I recommend: ICC The Compliance Center defines variation packaging and has a link to a video on preparing a compliant variation package.

Foam packaging

Foam packaging comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and types. Foam works well to hold objects still and protect them from shocks during transport. Foam can be molded to conform to the shape of the object you are shipping. It is also useful for insulating items to keep them cold.

I recommend: Sealed Air Corporation describes the advantages of foam packaging and provides links to the various kinds that are available.

Silicone packaging

Silicone packaging is used for medical supplies, such as syringes, tech kits and cartridges. Primers, sealers, grease and other chemically based materials can be safely transported in silicone packaging. It forms an airtight package that protects the contents and prevents leakage.

I recommend: KitPackers explains the various options in silicone packaging and what each is used for.

Wooden crates

Wooden crates provide a sturdy exterior for transportation and are often used for shipping large items. Crates can be made of solid wood to completely enclose your product, or they can be constructed of slats. The choice depends on the item you plan to ship. Crates can be purchased ready made, built to your specs, or made in-house.

I recommend: Nefab Group discusses whether it's better to buy or build your wooden crates. Click on the pictures for additional information about wooden crates.