A pallet going for export gets handled more, travels further and sits longer than one moving across town. So it needs a more thorough wrap: a heavier film, more passes, the load firmly tied to the pallet, and protection from dust and moisture. The technique is the same as any pallet, but you do more of it, and you do not cut corners. See our stretch film for shipping and export guide for film recommendations.
The single most common cause of export load damage is the load shifting because it was not properly connected to the pallet. Everything below is aimed at preventing that.
Why Export Loads Are Different
A local delivery might be handled two or three times over a few hours. An export pallet can be loaded, moved, stored, craned, shipped, unloaded and moved again over days or weeks. Each handling is a chance for the load to shift. Long transit also means vibration for hours on end, which loosens anything that was not tight to begin with. And containers and warehouses expose loads to humidity, dust and temperature swings.
So an export wrap has to do three jobs: hold the load together through repeated handling, stay tight through long vibration, and keep out dust and moisture.
Choose a Heavier Film
Start with thickness. A thin film that copes with a short local trip does not give you the margin you want for long, rough transit. A heavier film has more material to resist punctures and hold tension over time.
For export loads wrapped by hand, our 23 Micron is the sensible choice. It is our heaviest hand roll, with about a third more material than our 17 Micron, which gives you more resistance to the knocks and vibration of a long journey. When the load is going a long way and being handled by people you will never meet, the extra material is worth it.
Tie the Load to the Pallet
This is the step that decides whether an export load survives. Anchor the film to the pallet itself at the start, then wrap the base and the pallet lip together two or three times with firm tension. This connects the load to the pallet so the whole thing moves as one unit.
If the film only wraps the boxes and not the pallet, the load can slide off the pallet in transit no matter how tightly the boxes are wrapped to each other. On an export pallet, where handling is rough and frequent, this is not optional. Get the base right before you move up.
Wrap More Thoroughly Than Usual
Export pallets earn extra passes. Spiral up the load with generous overlap, at least half the film width, and firm tension. Then spiral back down, so the whole load carries a double layer. On taller or heavier loads, add more passes and more overlap.
Pay particular attention to the top and bottom thirds of the load. The bottom holds the load to the pallet; the top stops the upper boxes working loose under vibration. A couple of extra turns at each end is cheap compared with a damaged export shipment.
Protect Against Dust and Moisture
Long storage and container shipping expose loads to dust and humidity. Angling a pass or two of film across the top corners helps shed dust and keeps the top layer covered. For loads that are genuinely sensitive to moisture, stretch film alone is not a waterproof barrier, so add a proper top cover or moisture protection under the wrap. Use the film to secure the load and hold the protection in place, not as the moisture barrier itself.
Protect Sharp Corners
Repeated handling means more chances for the film to catch and tear on sharp corners. On export loads with hard edges, use edge protectors on the corners before wrapping. They spread the load, stop the film cutting through, and also stiffen the corners of the stack, which helps the whole load hold its shape through handling.
Check Before It Ships
Before an export pallet leaves, test it. Push the top of the load firmly. It should move with the pallet, not independently of it. Check there are no loose tails of film that could catch and unwind, no gaps in coverage, and no bare sharp corners. Two minutes of checking on your floor is far cheaper than a load that arrives damaged on another continent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What film thickness should I use for export pallets?
A heavier film gives you more margin for long, rough transit. For export loads wrapped by hand, 23 Micron is the sensible choice over a thinner film, because it has more material to resist punctures and hold tension.
How do I stop an export load shifting in transit?
Tie the load to the pallet. Anchor the film to the pallet at the start and wrap the base and pallet lip together with firm tension, so the load and pallet move as one unit.
Does stretch film keep moisture off an export load?
Not fully. Stretch film sheds some dust and light moisture but is not a waterproof barrier. For moisture-sensitive loads, add proper top or moisture protection under the wrap and use the film to hold it in place.
How many wraps does an export pallet need?
More than a local delivery. Give it firm base wraps, a spiral up and down with generous overlap, and extra turns at the top and bottom. Heavier or taller loads need more passes still.
Should I use edge protectors for export?
Yes, on loads with sharp or hard corners. Repeated handling gives more chances for the film to tear, and edge protectors stop that while stiffening the corners of the stack.
Conclusion
For more on choosing the right roll, see our complete guide to stretch wrap film.
Wrapping a pallet for export is the standard method done more thoroughly. Use a heavier film like 23 Micron, tie the load firmly to the pallet, wrap with generous overlap up and down, protect sharp corners, and add real moisture protection where the load needs it. Then check the load moves with the pallet before it ships. Export loads face more handling and longer transit than anything local, so the wrap has to earn its keep, and a thorough one is far cheaper than a damaged shipment.