Shrinkwrap for Pallet Shipping
Shrinkwrap (stretch wrap) is a plastic film applied around palletized goods to secure them during freight transit. It is a standard practice for LTL shipments where your pallets share a truck with other freight and may be handled multiple times.
Why Shrinkwrap Matters
- Stability: Prevents IBC totes or drum stacks from shifting during transit, especially on shared LTL trucks with frequent stops
- Protection: Adds a layer against road debris, moisture, and accidental contact with other freight
- Identification: Wrapped pallets are easier for carriers to identify as a single shipment unit
- Damage prevention: Reduces the risk of freight claims from cosmetic damage during handling
When Shrinkwrap Is Used
- LTL shipments: Standard practice — pallets are wrapped before pickup
- Multi-unit pallets: Drums (4 per pallet) are always wrapped to prevent individual drums from separating
- Stacked IBC totes: When totes are double-stacked on a pallet for transit efficiency
What to Expect
Your IBC totes or drums will arrive wrapped in clear stretch film. After inspecting the shipment (check for damage before signing the delivery receipt), cut the wrap to access individual units. Use a box cutter carefully to avoid scratching the HDPE bottle surface on IBC totes.