Freight box refers to an enclosed shipping container employed in transporting one product or another. These containers can be made from a few different materials, including plastic, cardboard, and wood. Freight boxes provide certain advantages, notably, greater protection of transport products. Standard shipping units are often limited in providing the same degree; accommodation of various sized loads, and flexible cost for individual budgets.
Types of Freight Boxes
Common choices in freight boxes are cardboard boxes, plastic boxes, and wood boxes, each of which has its advantages.
- Cardboard freight boxes are not the most effective in offering product protection. They are still available in several options, such as single, double, and triple wall corrugated cardboard boxes, which offer the greatest protection. These freight boxes are flexible in providing ease in loading products and removing front panels, while particular varieties offer conveniently integrated pallets for simple handling. By itself, cardboard boxes are more affordable, but shipping insurance could increase overall cost, especially if the insurance company considers that the life of these boxes is short and that they are less protected from the elements, especially moisture, during travel.
- Plastic freight boxes are a better option than cardboard freight boxes when it comes to durability because they offer an added level of protection. Plastic freight boxes are available in different thickness and stability, and commonly feature an integrated pallet for convenient handling. Given their texture, a downside of plastic crates is their tendency to shift during transport, which increases the risk of damage to the products.
- Wooden freight boxes offer the best product protection compared to plastic and cardboard boxes and enhanced stability and durability. For most options, the freight boxes are constructed from thick plywood that is either 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4-inch-thick plywood, making it convenient for shippers to choose the degree of security they desire. These freight boxes can be bulky, making storage difficult, but some varieties are collapsible for more efficient storage.
Freight Box Size
Freight boxes are available in many different sizes to match customers’ specific shipping needs. The North American standard pallet sizes, measured in length x width, are 48 x 40, 42 x 42, and 48 x 48. However, there are many other sizes, including those of various heights, convenient for tall products. The minimum weight capacity for most boxes is approximately 1,200 lbs. Some cardboard boxes below this capacity are less durable, while standard-sized wooden and plastic boxes may have a maximum weight of 2,000 pounds and others above. You may find that some companies may offer custom box options to meet your unique freight needs.
Items That Can Be Shipped in Freight Boxes
There are very few items that pose physical limitations that will make freight box shipping impossible. Barring certain legal restrictions for particular categories of products, it can be shipped if it can fit in the freight box. Government regulations may be on certain items, like food, chemicals, electronics, batteries, specific medical equipment, and some hazardous materials.
If you are looking for a company to help with your freight and shipping needs, Extreme Packing Solutions is the right one for your freight box needs. We offer a variety of freight box options to make your shipping easy and convenient. Give us a call today at 978-232-9190.