Not knowing how to handle non-stackable cargo can put your freight business in a challenging position. You need a good understanding of this type of pallets to ensure safe and cost effective shipping. In this article, we’ll discuss the characteristics, challenges, and best practices for shipping non-stackable cargo.
Definition of Non-Stackable Cargo
Cargo or pallets that can not support additional weight or freight on top of them are called Non-stackable cargo. You can’t place other items on top of these freigh because of their size, shape, or fragility. Stackable cargo allows you to maximize the space in your trailer by efficiently arranging the pallets. However, in case of non-stackable pallets, you need careful handling and planning.
This cargo type is relevant in logistics as they directly impact how much cargo you can transport at once. This influences your your overall expenses and logistical strategies. Typically, you can consider these as non-stackable cargo:
- Cylindrical items like tubes or large rolls
- Fragile goods like statues, glassware, or electronic items
- Bulky or irregularly shaped items such as motorbikes, engines, cables, or pipelines
Characteristics of Non-Stackable Cargo
You’ll find several reasons as to why you can’t stack these pallets on top of one another. Let’s take a look at the characteristics of non-stackable cargo to get a better idea.
- Size and Shape: You’ll find that non-stackable cargo like industrial machinery or large equipment usually have irregular dimensions or uneven shapes. This makes it impossible and unsafe to place pallets on top of them.
- Fragility: Fragile items such as glassware, ceramics, or delicate electronics are sensitive to pressure, weight, or impact. You might damage the goods if you stack other pallets on top of fragile cargo.
- Uneven Weight Distribution: If you haul cylindrical cargo, stacking a pallet over it can make the freight unstable. That’s because the weight distribution of irregularly shaped items can be uneven.
- Packaging: You need to package non-stackable cargo with certain labels like cones, warning labels, fragility labels, or other indicators. You may even need to use reinforced boxes or enclosed wooden crates to pack this type of freight. This is done to protect them from external pressure or impact.
Challenges with Non-Stackable Cargo
Hauling non-stackable cargo can be a challenging task for any trucker. Below are a few challenges you can face while transporting this type of cargo.
Higher Shipping Costs
Non-stackable cargo will take up more space in your trailer and limit your stacking options. They also need special and careful handling. For these reasons, non-stackable cargo will cost you more when you’re shipping these items.
The fees are calculated based on the volumetric weight, which considers the space the cargo occupies rather than its actual weight. Many logistics providers can also apply a surcharge for this type of cargo because of the inefficient use of space in containers and trailers.
Logistical Complexities
To maximize the space in your trailer, you need to carefully plan how you would handle or place non-stackable cargo. You may even need specialized equipment such as cranes or custom-designed pallets to accommodate the unique shape and size of your goods. You might also need personnel with specialized training to handle such pallets.
Safety Concerns
Improper cargo handling or stacking can often lead to damages goods or injured personnel. It is more common for non-stackable pallets. You must ensure that these items are securely fastened and clearly labeled to mitigate these risks. You must also make sure that the pallet or its contents do not shift while transporting or handling to avoid damage and injuries.
Packing Strategies for Non-Stackable Cargo
If you’re dealing with non-stackable cargo, you must apply various packaging strategies to ensure the safety of your shipment. To prevent any kind of damages and avoid extra costs, you should prioritize proper packaging, labeling, and documentation.
Safe and Stable Pallet Loading
You must be cautious about the safety of your goods while utilizing as much space as you can. You can arrange your items or boxes in even columns to produce a flat and level surface. You should always load heavier goods at the bottom of the pallet and this will help you to create a stable base.
You must also ensure that the items are securely strapped to the pallet. Items which are exposed or unpackaged, should be fully covered with a box to avoid any harm. When you’re dealing with tubes or cylindrical objects, you must cover them appropriately with a flat sheet of wood. This strategy will help you to create a flat and level surface for stacking.
You must not use any degraded, fragile, or damaged boxes for packaging. Proper and secured packaging is always necessary for the safe shipment of your goods. If you do not take this matter seriously, the courier can mark your cargo as unsuitable for stacking.
It’s also vital to understand that for some cargo, like shipping delicate printed books, the product itself (not just the packaging) is non-stackable, as the weight can crush spines and damage corners.
Proper Labeling and Documentation
If you’re dealing with a cargo of sensitive items which is non-stackable, you must add visible warning signs. It can be a non-stackable warning cone or a clear warning label used for ensuring safety of your goods. Thus the handlers will be careful about handling your cargo and they’ll put nothing else on the top of yours. But you should know that you can be charged extra for your non-stackable freight and wasted space.
While maintaining the proper packaging, you must label your cargo accurately and document thoroughly. You can provide detailed descriptions or special instructions about how to handle your freight properly. Proper instructions will make the job easier for the handlers and you won’t face any unwanted delays or extra charges.
Shipping Costs for Non-Stackable Cargo
Several factors might influence your shipping cost if you’re hauling non-stackable cargo. Let’s take a look at these factors below.
- Dealing with non-stackable cargo always requires more space during the shipment. And inefficient use of space leads to higher shipping costs.
- When you deal with a large or heavy freight, it demands additional handling and transportation requirements. These requirements add to your costs.
- Companies calculate freight charges using the volumetric weight of the package. They consider both the actual weight of the cargo and the space it occupies. The larger or heavier your cargo is, the more it will cost you.
- If your cargo is non-stackable, you might need special packaging materials and warning labels for your cargo. Though these requirements will increase your material and labor cost, your cargo will be well-protected during transit.
- You might have to pay additional fees if you’re dealing with goods that are fragile or hazardous. These surcharges can increase your shipping cost significantly but it will vary depending on your specific needs.
Conclusion
With everything we’ve discussed, you now have a better understanding of non-stackable cargo and how to handle them. You should always handle such items appropriately for safe transportation and handling. By doing so, you can preserve the integrity of your cargo and create a more efficient and reliable supply chain.
FAQ
Do non-stackable cargo cost more than stackable ones?
Yes, non-stackable cargo can cost you higher shipping rates. Loading and unloading of such items might also need additional expertise and cost you more than stackable pallets.
Why do I need to pay according to volumetric weighing?
Non-stackable pallets do not often use the full height of the trailer, they technically occupy the space. So even if your pallet is 80-100 cm in height, you need to pay for the usual 270-300 cm. That’s because you can’t stack on top of it.
Can I stack non-stackable cargo if I use a reinforced box?
While it’s possible to do so, you should never try doing that. The irregular size or shape might cause the reinforced box to break under pressure. So, do not try to stack any pallet over non-stackable cargo.
