1. Do Your Research

Shipping goods via pallets is an economical and effective way to way to deliver items. Pallets are strong, robust structures that allow goods to be shipped in bulk quantities and in a stable manner. But before going out and buying a pallet, you should conduct adequate research to ensure that you will be able to ship your items.

Most carriers have a list of items that are prohibited from being shipped. If you are a World Options customer, check with your account manager to see if you are able to ship your items. Common items prohibited from being shipped include:

• Alcohol

• Biological Substances

• Dangerous Goods

• Firearms

• Electronic Cigarettes

• Furs

Some carriers may also insist on there being certain paperwork or documentation attached to pallet delivery. If this is the case, be sure to check with your World Options account manager prior to delivery.

2. Choose The Right Pallet

Pallets are used extensively without issue and although most deliveries occur problem free, occasionally there can be holdups or delays due to an incident involving a pallet failing. This can be due to the fact of pallets being repeatedly used for deliveries, or because the pallets weren't strong enough to withstand the rigours of the journey. If the pallet you will be using is new or used, we recommend checking your pallet for the following:

• Lift the pallet up, look at the edges of the planks and make sure that the end grain hasn't split.

• Clear all nails and nail fragments from the pallet.

• Check for spillage (oil, chemicals, etc) and clean if necessary.

• Avoid pallets that are stamped with 'MB' or 'EUR.' This means they have been fumigated.

3. Package The Pallet Correctly

Packaging your goods correctly will not only help to protect the items, but it may also save your money and many couriers will charge customers based on weight and volume. Follow these six steps in order to package a pallet correctly.

1. Stack items on top of one another in the same manner as bricks are laid on top of each other. Doing so will ensure that your pallet is rigid and stable.

2. Don't allow items to overhang the edges of the pallet. Carriers may levy extra charges if your goods hang out of your pallet.

3. Keep the top of the pallet flat and level. As couriers stack different pallets on top of one another during delivery, pallets without flat tops may result in extra courier charges.

4. Make sure to stretch wrapping over goods and use two parallel straps to hold goods in place.

5. Add shipping labels to the side of the pallet and not on the top of the pallet.

6. If your pallet is non-stackable, either affix a label or a cone identifying the pallet as being so.

4. Check The Weight

Pallets will need to be weighed using pallet scales. Common types of pallet scales include pallet beam scales, platform scales, pallet truck scales, or industrial pallet scales. No matter what type of scales you will be using, there are commonalities that need to be followed in order to ensure you get the correct weight output for your pallet.

• Ensure that the scales are on a flat, strong surface.

• Make sure the scale is at zero before measuring.

• If the pallet is extra heavy and results in the scales moving when the pallet is placed on top, wait a couple of seconds for the weight to stabilise before marking the weight.

5. Pallet Fast Facts

• 97% of wood pallets are recycled after the end of use, into boiler fuel, pellets, or animal bedding.

• Pallets are constructed from timber by-products sourced from house building and construction.

• Most companies share pallets with other companies in massive 'pool' collectives, instead of buying pallets. This allows businesses to cut costs.