How Pallets and Crates Work Together in Storage and Shipping - A Logistics Guide

Ever think about shipping large cargo or expensive items around the globe ? There are a few simple items yet vastly complex when it comes to the logistics of getting your item from point A to point B. If you think about it the Crate is like a car and the pallet its frame. I'm going to explain a little about how these two work in harmony together. Hopefully it gives you a clear idea of how this works or makes your next shipping request a big easier ! Its what we do all day at the shop, figured we could share a bit enjoy !

The Power Couple of Logistics: A Deep Dive into Pallets and Wood Crates

In the high-stakes world of global trade, two wooden structures do the heavy lifting: the pallet and the wood crate. While they are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, they serve distinct roles. When used together, they create a modular, indestructible system that allows a fragile 500-lb engine to travel from a factory in Detroit to a port in Singapore without a single scratch.

Here is everything you need to know about how these logistics legends work independently and—more importantly—how they work together.

1. The Pallet: The Universal Interface

The pallet is a flat transport structure designed to be the "base" for goods. It is the reason why one person can move 2,000 pounds of material with a simple pallet jack.

Anatomy of a Pallet

Deck Boards: The top and bottom horizontal planks that support the load.

Stringers or Blocks: The structural internal components that create the gap for forklift tines. Stringer pallets use long parallel boards, while Block pallets use sturdy square spacers to allow "four-way" entry.

Lead Boards: The boards at the very front and back, usually thickened to withstand impact from forklift blades.

Primary Uses

Pallets are best for shorthand mobility and standardized shipping. They allow for "unitization"—grouping smaller items (like boxes of electronics) into one stable unit that can be shrink-wrapped and moved as a single block.

2. The Wood Crate: The Protective Fortress

While a pallet provides a base, a crate provides a complete enclosure. Crates are engineered to protect against vertical pressure (stacking), lateral impact (bumping), and environmental hazards.

Key Components

Sheathing: The outer "skin," usually made of plywood or OSB, which prevents punctures.

Cleats: The internal wooden "skeleton" that reinforces the panels and gives the crate its stacking strength.

Internal Blocking: Custom wood pieces nailed inside to "lock" the cargo in place so it cannot slide.

Primary Uses

Crates are used for high-value, fragile, or heavy-duty items. If an object is too heavy for a cardboard box or too delicate to be exposed to the elements on a standard pallet, it goes in a crate.

3. Better Together: The Integrated System

The real magic happens when a crate is built onto a pallet base. In professional logistics, this is known as a "skidded crate."

How They Work Together

The Pallet as the Foundation: Instead of building a flat bottom for a crate, fabricators build the crate directly onto a heavy-duty pallet or "skid." This ensures the crate is always "forklift-ready."

Structural Anchoring: The heavy machinery or cargo is bolted through the floor of the crate directly into the thick stringers of the pallet. This transfers the weight of the cargo into the strongest part of the wooden structure.

The "Sleeve" Concept: Many modern systems use a pallet collar or a removable crate sleeve. This allows a standard pallet to be converted into a crate in seconds by adding four walls and a lid, providing flexibility for warehouse storage.

Shipping vs. Storage: Which Wins?

Pallet (Open) Wood Crate (Enclosed) Shipping Cost

Lower (Lighter weight)Higher (Added weight of walls/lid)Protection

Minimal (Relies on shrink-wrap)Maximum (Structural barrier)Long-Term Storage

Risk of dust and light damage

Protects against UV, dust, and pests

Stackability

Limited (Depends on cargo strength)Exceptional (The crate bears the weight)

Low (Items can be removed)High (Requires tools to open)

5. The Science of Compliance: ISPM-15

Whether it's a pallet or a crate, if it’s crossing international borders, it must be Heat Treated (HT).

Because wood can harbor invasive insects, international law requires the wood to be heated to a core temperature of 56°C. Look for the "Wheat Stamp" on both the pallet and the crate panels. If the pallet is treated but the crate walls aren't, the shipment can be quarantined or turned away at the border.

Summary: Choosing Your Strategy

Use a Pallet for stable, uniform goods (like bags of cement or boxes of paper) that are moving through a fast, low-risk supply chain.

Use a Crate for irregular, expensive, or highly fragile goods (like medical lasers or vintage motorcycles).

Use an Integrated Pallet-Crate System for anything heavy that needs to be stored for a long time or shipped internationally.