Choosing transport packaging is not simply a matter of selecting a box, pallet or protective profile from a catalogue. The packaging must protect the product and remain compatible with the way it is packed, stored, lifted, transported and unloaded.
Eltete Malaysia’s Transport Packaging Solutions concept combines different paper-based packaging components according to the needs of the application. Depending on the product, handling method and destination, different options can be considered to optimise strength, space, material and cost expectations.
The more accurately you describe the complete supply chain, the easier it is to assess a suitable packaging configuration. This guide explains the information you should prepare before requesting a transport packaging solution.
Quick Answer: What Information Does a Transport Packaging Supplier Need?
To discuss a suitable transport packaging solution, provide:
– The product type, shape and material
– Exact product and packed dimensions
– Unit weight and total packed load weight
– Quantity and load arrangement
– Centre of gravity and weight distribution, where relevant
– Sensitive corners, edges, surfaces and components
– Current packaging and the problems you want to solve
– Forklift, pallet truck, conveyor or other handling requirements
– Static, dynamic, stacking and racking requirements
– Transportation method and route
– Storage duration and environmental conditions
– Destination and receiver-handling capabilities
– Space, material, recyclability and cost priorities
– Photos, drawings, samples or previous test information
Dimensions and weight are important, but they are not enough on their own. Two products with similar dimensions may need different packaging because they have different load distributions, sensitive areas, handling processes or shipping environments.
1. Describe the Product Clearly
Begin with a clear description of the product being transported. State what it is, what it is made from and whether it will be packed individually, in cartons or as part of a larger unit load.
Useful product information includes:
– Product name and application
– Product shape, such as rectangular, round, long, flat or irregular
– Whether the product is rigid, flexible or fragile
– Exposed parts or projections
– Sensitive surfaces, painted finishes or finished edges
– Areas that can safely support weight
– Areas that must not receive pressure
– Whether the product is already packed in primary or outer packaging
Photographs from several angles can help explain the product more effectively. For complex industrial parts, a dimensional drawing can show support points, projections, openings and areas that require clearance.
This information helps determine whether the application may require a load platform, edge protection, surface protection, cushioning, separation, internal support or a complete enclosure.
2. Provide Exact Dimensions and Weight
Accurate dimensions are essential when packaging is customised around a product or load.
Provide the complete:
– Length
– Width
– Height
– Unit weight
– Weight of the fully packed product
– Total weight of the completed transport unit
If the product is placed inside a carton, provide both the product dimensions and the external carton dimensions. If several cartons or products will be combined, state the final footprint and total load height.
The total packed weight should include the products and all packaging components placed on the load. It is also important to explain whether the weight is evenly distributed or concentrated in particular areas.
For applications involving products such as heavy equipment or components, identify the supporting points and centre of gravity where known. A package may have a manageable total weight but still require additional reinforcement if that weight is concentrated on a small area.
3. Explain the Load Arrangement
The supplier should understand how the products will be arranged inside the package or on the load platform.
Include details such as:
– Number of products per carton
– Number of cartons or products per load
– Number of units per layer
– Number of layers
– Final stacking pattern
– Total load height
– Orientation of the products
– Position of the heaviest items
– Use of layer pads, dividers or internal supports
– Intended positions of stretch film or strapping
Load arrangement affects stability, weight distribution and the way packaging components support one another. Eltete’s Packaging Solutions approach uses selected profiles, pallet elements and other components to provide functions such as stabilisation, stacking strength, protection and uniform weight distribution.
A drawing or photograph of the intended loading pattern is especially useful when the products are irregular, have different weights or cannot be stacked directly on top of one another.
4. Identify Sensitive Areas and Protection Risks
Explain what could damage the product during packing, handling, storage or transportation.
The assessment may need to consider:
– Impact to exposed corners or edges
– Surface scratches or abrasion
– Compression from stacking
– Pressure from plastic or steel strapping
– Movement inside the package
– Vibration during transportation
– Contact between adjacent products
– Bending of long or flat products
– Moisture, humidity or condensation
– Unstable or top-heavy loads
Be specific about the parts that must be protected. For example, a product may tolerate pressure on its base but not on a control panel, painted surface or projecting component.
Different Eltete components perform different functions. Edgeboard may be used for corner protection, load stability and support beneath strapping. Wrap-Around Edgeboard can follow the edges of suitable cylindrical or irregular products. U-Profiles, Flatboard, Honeycomb Board and other customised components may be considered where the application requires targeted surface, edge, separation or structural protection.
5. Show the Current Packaging and Explain the Problem
If you already use transport packaging, share its specification or provide clear photographs of the complete pack.
Useful information includes:
– Current pallet or load base
– Outer carton or transport box
– Internal supports and dividers
– Corner and edge protection
– Stretch film and strapping arrangement
– Current packed dimensions and weight
– Assembly method
– Storage method
– Condition of the packaging after delivery
Then explain exactly what you want to improve. The issue may involve:
– Product damage
– Crushed cartons or corners
– Load movement
– Insufficient stacking strength
– Strapping damage
– Excess packaging weight
– Unused space inside the package
– Bulky pallet or packaging storage
– High material or labour requirements
– Difficulty unpacking or recycling the packaging
Photographs of actual damage are valuable because they show where the existing system is failing. If the current packaging already performs well in certain areas, identify those functions too. The objective is to solve the real problem without adding unnecessary packaging material.
6. Describe the Complete Handling Process
Transport packaging must work with the equipment used at every handling point—not only at the packing facility.
State whether the completed load will be handled using:
– A forklift
– A hand pallet truck
– A conveyor
– Automated handling equipment
– A Push-Pull attachment
– RollerForks
– Manual handling
– Other lifting equipment
For pallet-based applications, confirm whether two-way or four-way entry is needed. Relevant details may include fork dimensions, entry height, lifting direction, required clearance and whether the load will pass through a conveyor or automated line.
If a Slip Sheet is being considered, explain how the load will be transferred and unloaded. Eltete Slip Sheets are intended for suitable palletless handling operations, so the sending and receiving facilities must have a compatible handling method.
Describe the complete sequence from packing to final unloading. Include any points where the load is lifted, pushed, pulled, turned, transferred or restacked.
7. State the Load and Stacking Requirements
Do not provide only one general load-capacity figure. Explain how the packaging will support the product during actual use.
Important requirements may include:
– Static load: the weight supported while the package or pallet remains stationary
– Dynamic load: the weight supported while it is being lifted or moved
– Racking load: the weight supported when a pallet is placed on warehouse rack beams
– Stacking load: the weight placed on top of the completed package
Also provide:
– Required stacking height
– Number of loads stacked
– Weight of each upper load
– Duration of stacking
– Floor-storage or warehouse-racking conditions
– Position of rack beams or other supporting surfaces
A load that performs adequately on a flat warehouse floor may require a different structure for movement or racking. The packaging design must therefore match the real support and handling conditions.
8. Explain the Transportation Method and Route
State whether the shipment will travel by:
– Road
– Sea
– Air
– A combination of transport modes
Provide the origin, destination and expected transport duration. Mention whether the shipment will be transferred through distribution centres, ports or other handling locations before reaching the customer.
Other useful details include:
– Truck or container-loading method
– Available transport space
– One-way or returnable distribution
– Expected number of handling stages
– Whether the load will be double-stacked
– Any restrictions on final packed dimensions or weight
Packaging for a short local delivery may not experience the same conditions as a long export journey involving container loading, several transfer points and extended storage. Eltete’s guide to choosing packaging for export shipping therefore recommends assessing the product, transport method, route, destination requirements and handling conditions together.
9. Describe the Storage and Environmental Conditions
Paper-based packaging should be selected for the conditions it will actually experience.
Tell the supplier whether the package will be stored:
– Indoors or outdoors
– In an air-conditioned, ambient, chilled or frozen environment
– In high humidity
– Where condensation may occur
– Near wet floors or water exposure
– For a short period or extended duration
Provide the expected temperature range, humidity conditions and storage duration where available. Include the conditions at the sender’s warehouse, during transportation and at the receiver’s facility.
Do not assume that every moisture-related requirement can be covered by the same specification. The actual environment should be communicated so the material, construction and protective arrangement can be assessed for the application.
10. Include Destination and Receiver Requirements
The final destination can affect the packaging decision.
Provide:
– Destination country or customer location
– Customer packaging specifications
– Maximum accepted package or pallet dimensions
– Receiving-facility handling equipment
– Forklift-entry or conveyor requirements
– Unloading method
– Warehouse-racking requirements
– Recycling or disposal expectations
– Any relevant customer or destination requirements already known to you
Receiver information is particularly important when a new handling system is being considered. A solution may work at the sending facility but create difficulties if the customer cannot unload, move, store or unpack it correctly.
11. Define Your Main Packaging Objectives
State what the new packaging solution should achieve and rank the most important objectives.
Your priorities may include:
– Reducing product damage
– Improving load stability
– Replacing suitable wooden or plastic packaging components
– Reducing packaging material or weight
– Improving warehouse-space utilisation
– Loading more products into a truck or container
– Supporting palletless handling
– Simplifying packing or unpacking
– Using recyclable paper-based materials
– Optimising material, transport, labour or recycling requirements
– Meeting a target packed size or cost expectation
Clear priorities help prevent conflicting expectations. For example, the lowest possible packaging weight may not be the only consideration when the product also requires high stacking strength or repeated handling.
Eltete’s Pallet Solutions can be developed according to the product, handling method and destination, with options intended to optimise strength, space, material and cost expectations.
12. Provide Supporting Evidence and Arrange a Trial When Required
The following materials can support the assessment:
– Product photographs
– Technical or dimensional drawings
– Current packaging samples
– A product or representative test load
– Photographs of damage
– Packing and handling videos
– Existing packaging specifications
– Previous test or shipment results
The proposed packaging should be evaluated in the configuration in which it will be used. Depending on the application, this may include product-fit checks, handling trials, stacking evaluation, compression testing, bending testing, strapping testing or a trial shipment.
Eltete states that compression, bending and strapping tests can be provided when required. Any result should be linked to the exact product, load arrangement, packaging configuration, handling method and environmental conditions used during the evaluation.
A Simple Transport Packaging Enquiry Template
You can use the following checklist when contacting Eltete Malaysia:
Product:
Product material and shape:
Product dimensions (L × W × H):
Unit weight:
Total packed load weight:
Quantity per carton or load:
Final load dimensions:
Load arrangement and weight distribution:
Sensitive areas or required protection:
Current packaging:
Current packaging problem:
Handling equipment at origin:
Handling equipment at destination:
Required forklift-entry direction:
Static, dynamic, racking or stacking requirements:
Storage duration and conditions:
Transport method and route:
Destination and customer requirements:
Main objectives:
Expected quantity or project volume:
Attachments available: Photos / drawings / samples / test results
If some technical values are not available, describe the real operation as clearly as possible. The packaging team can then identify which details still need to be measured, confirmed or tested.
How Can Eltete Use This Information?
Eltete Malaysia offers a complete paper-based transport packaging system rather than limiting every application to one individual product.
Depending on the information provided, a solution may use or combine products such as:
– Edgeboard and protective profiles
– Wrap-Around Edgeboard
– Honeycomb Board
– Paper Pallets
– Slip Sheets
– PallRun®
– EdgeRunner®
– The Box
– FramePack®
– Dunnage Bags
– Stretch film or strapping where required
The objective is to select the components needed for product protection, handling, stability, stacking and weight distribution while avoiding unnecessary material and volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – Can a transport packaging solution be selected from product dimensions alone?
A – No. Dimensions are only one part of the assessment. Product weight, load distribution, sensitive areas, handling equipment, stacking, storage conditions, transport method and destination should also be considered.
Q – Should I provide the unit weight or the total load weight?
A – Provide both. The supplier needs the unit weight to understand individual product requirements and the total packed load weight to assess the complete packaging or pallet system.
Q – Do I need to send photographs of my current packaging?
A – Photographs are strongly recommended when current packaging exists. They can show the load arrangement, protective components, handling method and the exact locations of damage or deformation.
Q – Why does the receiver’s handling equipment matter?
A – The packaging must be compatible with unloading and movement at the destination. This is especially important for palletless systems such as Slip Sheets, which require an appropriate handling method.
Q – What if I do not know the static, dynamic or racking load?
A – Describe how the load is stored and handled. State whether it remains on the floor, moves by forklift, sits in a rack or supports another load. The relevant performance requirements can then be identified.
Q – Does every packaging project require testing?
A – The testing required depends on the product, load, design and risk. A customised or demanding application may require handling, stacking, compression, bending, strapping or trial-shipment evaluation before regular use.
Q – Can Eltete combine several products into one solution?
A – Yes. Eltete’s Transport Packaging Solutions concept combines selected pallet elements, profiles and other components according to the application.
Conclusion
The right transport packaging solution begins with complete and accurate information.
Instead of asking only which pallet, box or protective profile to use, describe the product and its full logistics journey—from packing and warehouse handling to transportation, storage and unloading at the destination.
Product dimensions, total packed weight, load arrangement, sensitive areas, handling equipment, stacking requirements, transport route, environmental conditions and receiver capabilities all influence the final packaging configuration.
With a clear brief, Eltete Malaysia can assess which paper-based components may be combined to provide the required protection, stability and handling performance while optimising strength, space, material and cost expectations.
Contact Eltete Malaysia and include the enquiry checklist above to discuss a transport packaging solution for your product and supply chain.
