FedEx^® freight
packaging guidelines

Pallets provide solid foundations for single- or multi-unit loads. They're ideal for shipping bulk consumer goods and industrial components. 

Choose a wood or plastic pallet that can stand up to compression, shock, and vibration. The pallet should have forklift openings for easy handling.

Crates can be a good option for shipping fragile, high-value, heavy, or oddly shaped items. A crate should be banded to a pallet or have forklift openings.

Note: To prevent stowaways, TSA regulations require global air shipments over 150 lbs.—or large enough to hold a human—be locked or secured with two bands in each direction (four bands total).

They’re also called bulk bins, cargo boxes, or bulk containers. FedEx Freight® boxes are larger and sturdier than standard shipping boxes. Plus, you pay a predictable flat shipping rate, and don’t need to classify your LTL freight.

Prefer to use your own container? Send your freight on its way in a corrugated pallet box, also known as a Gaylord box.

Examples are gardening materials and bulk dry goods. Bagged products can shift and change shape in transit. They're also susceptible to puncturing. They should travel on a pallet for easy handling.

• Put a corrugated cardboard tray on top of the pallet (under the bottom bag).
• Interlock-stack the bags, use tier sheets, and have a second tray cover the unitized load.
• If possible, place cardboard around the outside of the bags.
• Use stretch wrap and banding to keep all bags within the pallet perimeter. (The top and bottom pallet trays need to be at least 1.5 times the depth of the bags.) Cushion the unitized perimeter with corrugated boards.

These items often contain liquid chemicals, food-grade products, or powdered materials. They can be susceptible to shifting, so secure them to the pallet. If you’re using non-palletized drums, you can ship within the U.S. via LTL services only.

• Choose a pallet with a solid deck or anti-skid surface. Use banding, edge protection, and stretch wrap.
• Don’t stack more than two drums or three pails high. Ensure stacked drums and pails are nestable (fit securely within or on top of each other).
• If you’re packing multiple units in a tier, band them horizontally around the perimeter for added stability.

Spools and reels of wire, cable, rope, or chain tend to roll and shift during transit. They’re also difficult to lift. Secure them to forklift-accessible pallets and use blocking and bracing to anchor them.

They can help protect sensitive items such as electronics and trade show displays. If you're using a transit case, ensure it can be easily handled and moved during its journey. Transit cases with caster wheels must be palletized.

• Remove the wheels or use blocks to suspend the cases above the deck boards. This helps keep them from moving around on the skid.
• If you don’t remove the wheels, pack the cases on a pallet with a solid deck. This prevents the wheels from falling through the slats and being damaged by the forklift.

Note: To prevent stowaways, TSA regulations require global air shipments over 150 lbs.—or large enough to hold a human—be locked or secured with two bands in each direction (four bands total).

Clearly marked and labeled shipments are less likely to be delayed or lost.

• Remove or mark through any old labels or tags.
• Be descriptive when creating new labels.
• Place labels on the forklift-accessible sides of the shipment.
• Attach consignee information and pro numbers to all sides of your shipment. Include any applicable documents in an external shipping pouch.
• If your shipment is palletized, use arrow markings or “This end up” labels. They increase the likelihood that the item will stay in the correct orientation.
• If you’re using an indicator that tracks the dynamic shipping environment, attach it to the item itself. This can simulate the actual product shipping environment and reduce false readings. However, these indicators are not valid for damage claim purposes.