Shipping heavy items internationally requires special care and attention to ensure they arrive safely and in good condition. If you’re looking at shipping large items from Japan, this guide will walk you through the best practices for shipping heavy items, focusing on the steps necessary to protect large or bulky packages during transit. Understanding how to properly prepare heavy items with proper packaging for shipping can save you time, money, and protect your shipment from potential damage.
What is considered a heavy/bulky package?
Understanding the classification of your shipment is crucial for choosing the right shipping solutions and avoiding unexpected costs. Let's break down the different categories based on weight and size so you know whether your shipment is categorised as heavy or bulky.
- Heavy shipments: Any parcel weighing over 23 kg is classified as heavy. Typically, shipments under 70 kg can travel without a pallet, though this may vary by region.
- Large shipments: While there's no official classification for large shipments, items that need a pallet are generally placed in this category. Large shipments might incur additional fees depending on the service and whether the object exceeds typical pallet dimensions.
- Oversized shipments: Single items heavier than 500 kg or too large for palletizing, such as tail-lifted goods or industrial equipment, are considered oversized and will require custom shipping solutions.
Understanding the risks associated with heavy shipping
When it comes to shipping heavy items or bulky packages, there are unique risks to consider. These include:
- Damage during handling: Heavy and bulky items are more prone to damage due to their substantial size and weight. The sheer mass of these items can lead to crushing, impacts, and abrasions if not handled properly. Improper lifting, dropping, or stacking can easily compromise the item's structure, leading to significant damage.
- Transit stress: Bulky items often face various stresses during transit, such as vibration, tilting, and shock, which are more pronounced due to their weight. These stresses can compromise the integrity of both the packaging and the item itself, particularly if the goods are not secured properly on a pallet or inside a container designed for heavy shipping.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to moisture, temperature changes, and other environmental factors can significantly affect the durability and safety of heavy shipments. For example, wooden crates used for transporting heavy items might swell or warp with humidity, while metal parts may corrode or rust if not adequately protected.
By recognizing these unique challenges, you can better prepare for the shipping of heavy items, ensuring they are well-protected during transit.
Best practices for protecting large and heavy items
To effectively protect large items for shipping, consider the following best practices:
- Crate it: When it comes to packaging large items for shipping, such as engines or industrial equipment, using crates is recommended. Fully enclosing goods in quality hardwood crates, and bracing them diagonally, increases the crate's strength. Always inspect the crate for prior damage to ensure it is not compromised before packing your item.
- Secure items on pallets: Pallets are an ideal way to stabilize heavy and bulky items during transit. When using pallets, ensure the following:
- Use standard-sized pallets: This helps to avoid oversized piece surcharges and ensures compatibility with most international shipping services.
- Select the right pallet material:
- Wooden Pallets: Strong and suitable for heavy items, wooden pallets are widely available, reusable, and less expensive than plastic. If shipping internationally, ensure the wood meets international treatment standards for the markets where it will be used. Wooden pallets should have bottom bracing to increase stability.
- Plastic Pallets: These offer a high loading capacity and an anti-slip surface, which can be useful for heavy shipments. They are resistant to humidity and corrosion, making them ideal for overseas shipping in varying environmental conditions. However, they are generally more expensive compared to wooden pallets.
- Use proper technique to stack multiple items: Stack boxes corner-to-corner and edge-to-edge to maximise stability. Avoid overhanging, which can lead to damage.
- Secure with strapping and shrink-Wrap: Use heavy-duty strapping and shrink-wrap to secure your items to the pallet, preventing movement during transit. Banding and shrink-wrap are the primary methods for securing goods to a pallet, especially for outsized or palletized shipments.
- Add extra protection:
- Edge protectors: Vertical and horizontal edge protectors are essential for reducing damage to box edges during transport and for stabilizing the load.
- Paperboards: Positioning paperboards on the top, base, and sides of the pallet provides a protective barrier and helps to distribute the weight of shipments placed on top.
- Bracing: For outsized pieces, such as cable reels or engines, use wood or metal bracing to secure items against the pallet. This prevents sideways movement during transportation, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the shipment.
By adhering to these best practices, you can minimize the risk of damage and ensure a smooth heavy freight shipping experience.
Custom solutions for unusual sizes and weights
Not all items fit neatly into standard size or weight categories. Custom solutions are sometimes necessary for uniquely shaped or oversized items. This may include:
- Custom crating: For exceptionally heavy or large items, custom-built crates provide tailored protection. This ensures that the crate fits the item perfectly, reducing movement and potential damage.
- Custom pallets: For items that do not conform to typical dimensions, adjustable pallets offer flexibility in securing various sizes and weights. However, some logistics providers may charge additional fees for handling non-standard pallets.
- Consult logistics experts: Working with logistics professionals can help design the most effective packaging solutions for your specific heavy shipping needs. They can provide guidance on materials, techniques, and compliance with international shipping regulations.
Partner with DHL Express for secure and reliable heavy shipping from Japan
DHL Express specialises in shipping large and heavy items internationally from Japan to anywhere in the world. With extensive experience in handling and transporting bulky and heavy packages, DHL Express offers a range of shipping services for large items to ensure your shipments are managed with care and expertise.
- Specialized handling: DHL's logistics network is equipped to handle heavy and oversized items with specialised equipment and trained personnel, minimising the risk of damage during transit.
- Shipment Insurance: DHL takes the utmost care in handling your Valuable shipments. Nevertheless, unexpected accidents can occur in international air transport. In the event of loss or damage to your shipments, our compensation is limited by our terms and conditions of carriage. DHL offers Shipment Insurance as optional services available to all customers. If you feel that the normal compensation is not enough, you can take advantage of DHL Express's Shipment Insurance.
Protecting your heavy and bulky items during shipping requires careful planning and the right approach. By understanding the risks and following best practices, you can ensure your goods are well-protected and increase their chances of arriving at your destination safely. For the best peace of mind and efficiency delivery, consider partnering with a reliable logistics partner like DHL Express for fuss-free heavy shipping.
Open a business account with DHL Express to explore our comprehensive solutions for shipping large items today.
