Packing and crating for export and domestic transport
Inadequate packaging causes most preventable freight damage. RKM Logistics coordinates professional packing and crating services that meet carrier rules, export biosecurity treatment standards, and the handling intensity of ocean and air transit.
Export packing standards
Timber packaging must often comply with ISPM 15 heat treatment or fumigation and bear compliant stamps. We source treated materials and verify markings before cargo is presented to carriers. For sea freight, packing includes moisture protection, desiccants, and blocking to prevent shift during roll.
- Palletisation with strapping and corner protection
- Shrink wrap and VCI options for metal components
- Shock indicators and tilt watches for sensitive equipment
- Non-wood alternatives where destinations restrict timber
Machinery and high-value crating
Crates are engineered for weight, lifting points, and access for installation rigging at destination. Skids allow forklift entry; hoisting eyes are rated and labelled. Internal bracing isolates vibration-sensitive parts.
On-site packing services
Teams can pack at your premises or at consolidator facilities near Brisbane. Work is scheduled to align with container arrival or airport delivery windows, reducing double handling.
Documentation alignment
Packing lists must reflect inner contents accurately for customs. We reconcile crate numbers, weights, and dimensions with transport bills to avoid manifest mismatches that trigger inspections.
- Survey cargo and agree packing specification
- Build, label, and photograph finished units
- Issue packing declaration suitable for export
Include packing scope in your freight enquiry when goods are fragile, high-value, or subject to buyer inspection clauses.
Inspection and buyer requirements
Some purchase contracts require pre-shipment inspection, photographic evidence, or specific marking formats. RKM Logistics schedules packing teams to accommodate inspector attendance and seals crates only after sign-off when contractually required. Re-work from premature sealing is avoided through clear sequencing communicated to all parties.
Returnable dunnage and reusable crating programmes can reduce waste for regular shippers. We assess whether rental crating pools or collapsible systems suit your lane volume and destination return logistics.
Environmental and disposal
Used crates, dunnage, and treated timber must be disposed of or recycled according to local rules. RKM Logistics coordinates removal from your site or consolidator yard where included in scope, avoiding accumulation that creates fire or pest hazards in industrial precincts.
Export compliance and carrier acceptance
Poorly built crates fail carrier acceptance checks and void insurance discussions. We specify ISPM 15 compliant timber where required, mark centre of gravity on oversize units, and photograph finished packs before pickup for dispute resolution.
Vibration and moisture risks on long ocean legs drive internal bracing choices — foam block, timber bed, and steel strut combinations are selected per commodity, not from a single standard crate size.
