Difference Between Pallet and Crate in Logistics

TL;DR

• Crates are enclosed boxes providing better protection for fragile or high-value items, while pallets are flat platforms that are lighter and easier to transport.
• Pallets are generally cheaper and more cost-effective for shipping, while crates take up more space and can increase shipping costs due to their weight.
• Crates offer stability and security, making them suitable for transporting large volumes of goods, while pallets are ideal for general shipping and easier to handle with forklifts.
• Choosing between crates and pallets depends on cargo type; crates are best for delicate items, whereas pallets are preferred for a broader range of goods.

Crate vs pallet: using the appropriate packaging material for transporting and storing cargo is at the core of successful logistics. Although you may never have wondered whether a crate is the same as a pallet, learning the differences between pallets and crates can help you make the right decision for your needs.

What is the difference between pallets and crates?

The most obvious difference between a crate and a pallet is in their appearance. While both are usually made of wood, crates are essentially boxes, while pallets are flat portable platforms. Let’s now examine each in detail.

What is a pallet?

Pallets are the most common type of packaging used in road freight transport. They are flat structures that are lighter and easier to transport than crates. Pallets can carry a load of up to 1,000 kg (or 2,200 lbs). There are different types of pallets suited for different kinds of cargo.

If you are shipping on a budget, pallets are usually cheaper than crates because they are made of less material. Additionally, pallets can be moved and stored more efficiently in warehouses – making them a more cost-effective option in the long run.

Pallet advantages

• Sturdy and resistant, ideal for shipping heavy loads
• Reusable and versatile for transporting a range of goods
• Easy to move with a forklift or pallet jack, minimising injury risk

Pallet disadvantages

• Less secure than crates for shipping valuable or fragile goods
• Palletised cargo is exposed and needs greater packaging care
• Pallets are less durable than crates and more prone to damage

You may also be interested in:

• How to load a pallet
• Parcel vs pallet shipping
• Pallet vs container shipping

What is a shipping crate?

Crates are very different from pallets because they are boxes with four walls that enclose the cargo. There are multiple types of crates to serve different requirements, such as frame crates for heavy objects, open crates that provide ventilation to keep food fresh and closed crates to secure objects during transport.

If you are transporting high-value or delicate goods, crates are a better solution than pallets as they offer more protection. For example, we usually recommend a crate for shipping a motorcycle. You should pack crates to capacity and fill empty spaces with cushioning materials so that the items cannot move during transport.

Crate advantages

• Very stable and secure, can hold a large volume of goods
• Crates offer more protection than pallets since items are enclosed
• Safer for shipping fragile items such as glass or electronics

Crate disadvantages

• They take up more storage space due to their size and volume
• Harder to lift, unless they have runners underneath for forklifts
• Crates are heavier than pallets, which may increase shipping costs

What is the difference between a pallet, a skid and a crate?

A third packaging material that is often considered when comparing the differences between pallets and crates are skids.

All three can be used for shipping and storage, however, if you learn the differences between a pallet, a crate and a skid, you can really optimise your logistics operations and costs. Pallets, skids and crates each have specific pros and cons, so your decision should really depend on your specific requirements and purpose.

Unlike pallets and skids, which are flat, crates are four-walled boxes. Crates are ideal for storing goods securely, and they can hold a large volume. However, the benefits of crates compared to pallets or skids also come at a higher price.

Crate vs pallet: which should you choose?

When comparing the differences between a pallet and a crate, always consider what kind of cargo you will use them for, as well as the volume. Pallets are used for general shipping, while crates can be used as a more secure option.

The quick summary points below should help you make the right decision:

• Crates can hold large volumes of goods completely enclosed inside them.
• For fragile or high-value shipments, crates offer more security than pallets.
• If you want a cheaper or lighter packaging option, you should opt for a pallet.
• If you have no forklift available, pallets would be a more practical solution than crates.

Crates or pallets can be used to transport various items, although in most cases, standard wooden pallets emerge as the overall winner as they can cater to almost any requirement.

If you need any help or advice about shipping pallets, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us!

Interested in learning more about pallet and freight shipping? Read all our pallet blogs!