What is a Wooden Export Crate?
Wooden export crates also known as overseas crates can be much more tedious and intimidating than domestic packing based on the sheer number of restrictions on crating and shipments alone. In most countries, any wooden export crate designed to ship overseas must be treated to ISPM 15 standards.
Fortunately, there are several ways to protect yourself and your business against fines, lost wooden export crate shipments, and the other risks associated with overseas crate shipping.
Protect Your Overseas Crates
One of the first things to consider when planning overseas crate packing is country-specific regulations and requirements.
There are many regulations when shipping overseas crates. If you plan to ship your product internationally you will need wooden export crates that are compliant with those regulations.
Valley Box constructs wooden export crates from ISPM 15 compliant heat-treated lumber. Plywood is not required to have an HT stamp and at times customers have found that a 100% plywood crate is the best solution.
Many shippers offer a handy tool that will let users enter the “origin” and “destination” countries to receive a list of regulations. You can even call the shipper and request a list.
Know You're Prepared
Once you’ve determined that the contents of your shipment are in compliance with country-specific laws, procedures, regulations, and tariffs, make sure the actual packaging is prepared to meet the demands that international shipping puts on packaged goods.
This is even more critical when sending shipments to volatile destinations. According to Export.gov, companies should consider four things when packing a shipment to be sent overseas:
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Breakage
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Moisture
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Pilferage
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Excess Weight