How Much Does A Shipping Crate Cost?

It’s an often-asked question by businesses new to shipping with wooden crates: “How much does a shipping crate cost?” While it would be hard to quote an exact figure without knowing more details about the product and shipping requirements, there is a way to get a quick estimate of the amount.

Many manufacturers set aside up to a tenth of their product expense for shipping crate costs. Durable products that do not need to be enclosed completely inside a crate (ones with open structures) only require a fraction of the amount—around 2%. 

Fragile items, which entail a very secure setup (foam-lined saddles, ratchet straps, and the works), have shipping crate costs that range from 3-7%. Custom boxes that are printed (for marketing purposes) or need to be cut to the item’s shape cost about the same. 

The amount also depends on how complex the product to be shipped is. Is it heavy? Does it have an irregular shape? Is it a piece of sensitive equipment that needs elaborate interiors for protection? Generally, these types of products would require about 8-10% of their total product cost for crating expenses.

Some crating companies will handle low volume shipments at an affordable rate, but many charge a premium for low-quantity shipments, which is another factor to consider.

Different Kinds of Shipping Crates

There are two basic types of wooden crates, although there are numerous variations. The Type A contains up to 500kg of load, while Type B crates contain over 500kg. 

The thickness of shipping crate planks vary but typically stay within the 3-8mm range. The major variations of shipping crates can be found below:

1. Open

These are usually used for transporting large but lightweight items like cotton or hay, or when you don’t need to ship your products via air. Agricultural and food products also do well with open crates because they are allowed to ‘breathe.’ With open crates, wood planks are used as exterior sheathing, and there are spaces within the planks for ample ventilation.

2. Frame

Frame crates are usually just wood mounted together with no sheathing. You can see what’s stored inside of them and are mostly utilized when transporting machinery that does not need added surface protection.

3. Closed

These completely enclosed containers are typically used when transporting overseas and for protecting the items stored inside from water, wind, air, and transport damages. They’re also used to carry military or industrial equipment that weighs between 1,000 to 30,000 lbs.

4. Stitched

Just like their name suggests, these crates are made of thin pieces of wood stitched together. They are mainly used for single journeys. The corner pieces of the container, which are mostly triangular, provide the strength needed to stack them.

5. Wirebound

Wirebound crates are simply stitched crates with steel wire underneath to provide enhanced durability. 

How to Pick a Shipping Crate That Will Best Suit Your Needs

Since there are so many types of shipping crates available, it ultimately comes down to these factors: the product, the budget, and your shipping plan. It might also help for you to consider reusable ones if your business is involved in consistently shipping products. Reusable shipping crate costs might be a bit pricier when compared to standard crate costs at first, but they will save you more in the long run.

Need More Info?

If you’d like more information on figuring out the type of shipping crate that best fits your business’s needs, we’re here to help. We have a wide variety of shipping options to support your unique requirements. Contact us now, and our knowledgeable shipping experts are here to assist.