Packaging and Protecting Your Freight

Your freight gets handled a lot. On a typical LTL trip it passes through several terminal cross-docks, is loaded and unloaded half a dozen times, and gets moved around each terminal by forklift. Packing it well is what keeps it safe through all that handling, so it arrives in the same condition it left.

Good packaging does two jobs: it protects your freight from damage, and it keeps your shipment eligible for insurance coverage. Carriers and insurers only cover freight that meets their packaging standards, so how you pack directly affects whether a claim would be honored.

Here is how to get it right.

Quick checklist: before pickup

A neatly packed, shrink-wrapped and strapped pallet next to a poorly stacked, unsecured one

Run through this before the carrier arrives:

Freight is on a sturdy pallet
Items are cushioned inside (bubble wrap, foam, or padding)
The load is secured to the pallet (shrink wrap plus straps or banding)
Weight is evenly distributed, and boxes are not overloaded
Edges and corners are reinforced
Fragile items are crated
Shipping documents are attached securely to each piece

If you can check all seven, your freight is ready. The sections below explain each one.

How to package your freight

Put it on a pallet

A pallet gives your freight a stable base, makes it safe to move by forklift, and distributes weight evenly so nothing tips or shifts. It is the foundation of a well-protected LTL shipment.

Boxes stacked squarely and evenly on a wooden shipping pallet

Cushion the inside

Protect items from shifting, vibration, and impact with cushioning materials like bubble wrap, foam, or padding. The goal is that nothing moves around inside its box during transit.

A fragile item cushioned with bubble wrap and foam inside a cardboard box

Secure the load

Once your freight is on the pallet, fasten it down so it cannot move. Straps or banding keep everything firmly attached to the pallet, which prevents tipping and sliding through bumps and vibration. Shrink wrap holds loose pieces together, adds stability, and shields against dirt, dust, and moisture. Use both for the best result.

A palletized load being wrapped in shrink wrap and secured with straps

Distribute the weight

Keep weight evenly spread across the pallet, and avoid overloading boxes or crates. Uneven or top-heavy loads are far more likely to tip or collapse during handling.

Reinforce edges and corners

Corners and edges take the most abuse during loading and unloading. Edge protectors or extra padding keep the structure intact and reduce the risk of damage (and denied claims).

Corner edge protectors fitted to a palletized shipment

Crate fragile items

For fragile or delicate goods, a crate is the safest option. Crates shield freight from direct impact, keep it secure, and are often essential for the shipment to qualify for insurance.

A fragile item protected inside a slatted wooden shipping crate on a pallet

Attach your documents

Securely attach your shipping documents to each piece of freight. Documents that fall off can leave carriers unable to identify or locate your shipment, which causes delays. Well-attached documents keep your freight moving and support a smooth claims process if you ever need one.

Shipping documents in a pouch attached to the outside of a wrapped pallet

What happens if freight is not packed well

Two outcomes, both worth avoiding:

The carrier can refuse it. Carriers inspect freight for packaging integrity and can decline a shipment that is not properly protected.
It gets marked “At Owner’s Risk.” If a carrier agrees to move inadequately packed freight, they will often label it “At Owner’s Risk.” That designation voids coverage, so any damage or loss will not be covered, even if you purchased insurance.

Common mistakes to avoid

Fragile items (glass, electronics) without enough cushioning
Boxes that are overpacked, underfilled, or loosely packed
Uneven or unsecured pallet stacking
Exposed or unprotected parts

A note on insurance

Most carriers limit their liability to a fraction of your freight’s value (often around $2 per lb, and it varies by freight class and carrier). That rarely matches what your shipment is actually worth. For valuable freight, we recommend carrying your own freight insurance.

Learn more about Insurance.

Questions?

Packing something unusual, or not sure if it is ready to ship? Open a live chat or email support@freightsimple.com and we will help you get it right before pickup.