Preparing goods for dispatch
Packing and labeling | Containers

There are two types of containers, i.e. transport by loading units with pallets or containers, or conventional transport (crates or other packages). Transport by loading units is currently experiencing rapid growth. Handling is made easier and through carriage can be achieved easily, even using different vehicles. Let's study it more closely.



Pallets

A pallet consists of a suitable platform able to carry a quantity of packages. These packages therefore may be combined in a single loading unit, protected by a net or some other form of cover. They normally meet predetermined dimensions. They are either given away, or managed by an intermediary who collects them after delivery.

Pallets are a considerable help with loading, storing and protecting goods against theft.
Redirecting re-usable pallets to the client isn't always easy! Indeed, the transporter cannot always track handling very closely when the goods are unloaded. Yet many contracts become a source of conflict due to this problem. Solutions exist, such as the use of coloured pallets.



Containers

Here, by container, we mean a metal box that can contain goods to be transported by different means, without load breaking. Its standardization (ISO norm) and its ability to be transferred make it extremely useful, as it allows for multi-modal transport, using several different methods (road, rail, sea).

It allows: Savings can arise in various forms such as insurance, handling, packing, ...

Maximum savings will logically be made when the container is full. It then becomes easy to move the goods from door to door, without load breaking. This is known as FCL (Full Container Load) . If the volume of the merchandise is not enough to fill a container to minimize his expenses, the forwarding agent can assemble batches of goods from different senders and/or to different destinations. The container is then said to be LCL (Less than a Container Load) .

The terms stuffing and stripping are specific to the handling of containers. Stuffing is the operation in which the goods are confirmed to be placed in the container. Stripping is the same operation in reverse. These terms are to be used in order not to confuse these operations with those of loading and unloading of the full container for transportation purposes.