Format

Crates, wooden boxes and metal stillages

Heavy, awkward and high-value parts travel in crates and stillages. Strength, blocking and export timber rules matter more than volume.

Main types

4C / 4DWooden or plywood boxUN codes for natural wood and plywood outer packaging.
StillageSteel stillage or wire mesh palletReturnable, stackable and often custom to the part.
CrateOpen timber crateMachinery and spares; built to the load.

What to decide

  • Load path: skids, blocking and bracing for the heaviest point.
  • Corrosion protection for long or sea transit.
  • One-way timber versus a returnable steel fleet.

Inspection and handling

  • Check for the export timber treatment mark when shipping across borders.

Rules to watch

  • ISPM 15 treatment and marking for wood packaging in international trade.

Rules last verified:

Tools and guides

All formats

Educational reference only. Not engineering or regulatory advice — confirm the rules that apply to your product and route.