Crate or Pallet for Overseas Freight? A Decision Walkthrough
When you're preparing a shipment for overseas freight, one of the first questions is whether the cargo goes on a pallet or in a crate. The answer matters for cost, transit safety, and customs compliance. Here's how to think through it.
When a pallet is enough
Standard pallets work well for overseas freight when the cargo is stackable, uniform in shape, reasonably durable, and fully protected by the packaging it ships in. Cartons of consumer goods, bagged or boxed industrial supplies, and similar freight can typically move on a heat-treated pallet inside a container without needing a crate.
The pallet does need to carry the ISPM-15 heat treatment mark for international shipment. Beyond that, the question is whether the cargo can survive the transit on its own, or whether it needs additional structural protection. More on when a crate is required.
When a crate is required
A crate adds structural protection on all sides. It's the right call when the cargo has any of these characteristics:
- Cargo is stackable and uniform in shape
- Packaging provides full protection on all sides
- Load is not fragile or high-value
- Standard pallet weight rating is not exceeded
- No stacking risk from freight above
- Cargo is fragile, precision, or sensitive to vibration
- Irregular shape that won't sit flat or stack cleanly
- High-value shipment where theft or damage risk is a factor
- Other freight will stack on top in transit
- Machinery or equipment that exceeds standard pallet capacity
For oversized or heavy loads, a crate needs to be engineered to support the weight and distribute it correctly — not just to contain the cargo. Shipping oversized and heavy loads.
The cost difference
Crates cost more than pallets. The question is whether the added cost is justified by what you're protecting.
| Option | Typical cost range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard heat-treated pallet | $25 – $40 | Durable, uniform, well-packaged freight |
| Custom export crate | $100 – $400+ | Fragile, high-value, irregular, or heavy cargo |
Lead time considerations
Pallets are typically stock items and can ship quickly. Custom crates need to be built, which adds lead time. Depending on complexity, a custom export crate might need 3-7 business days of build time before it's ready to load.
If you're working against a freight booking deadline, build time matters. Get the crate order in early enough that it doesn't hold up the rest of the shipment.
How Atlas approaches it
We supply both ISPM-15 heat treated standard pallets and custom export crates. If you're not sure which one your shipment needs, tell us what you're shipping, where it's going, and what the freight routing looks like, and we'll tell you what we'd recommend. Custom crates and export pallets from Atlas.
Not sure if your shipment needs a pallet or a crate? Tell us what you're moving and we'll give you a straight answer.
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