Different Types of Shipping Crates: Commercial, Military and Museum-Grade
Not all wooden shipping crates are built for the same purpose. The design, materials, framing and interior protection of a crate can vary significantly depending on what is being shipped and the conditions it may encounter.
Commercial Shipping Crates
Commercial crates are the most common type and are used for machinery, equipment, furniture, manufactured products and general freight.
They are typically built from plywood, OSB and dimensional lumber, with the construction determined by the size and weight of the cargo. Some commercial crates are designed for a single shipment, while heavier-duty versions may be reusable.
Commercial crates can range from relatively simple plywood boxes to heavily framed crates designed to carry thousands of pounds. ASTM standards also define several types of wood crates for different load capacities and shipping conditions.
Military Crates
Military crates are designed to protect equipment and supplies under demanding transportation, handling and storage conditions.
Military packaging may need to meet specific Department of Defense requirements covering protection from physical damage, corrosion, moisture, environmental exposure and repeated handling. MIL-STD-2073, for example, establishes practices for military packaging, while other military and ASTM specifications cover particular types of containers and heavy-duty wooden crates.
These crates may include reinforced framing, heavy-duty bases, specialized hardware, moisture barriers, corrosion protection and internal blocking or bracing.
Museum-Grade and Fine Art Crates
Museum-grade crates are designed primarily to protect artwork, antiques, artifacts and other fragile or irreplaceable objects.
The outer wooden crate is only part of the system. These crates often incorporate carefully selected foam, cushioning, vibration isolation, moisture barriers and interior supports designed specifically for the object being transported.
For sensitive objects, the crate may also be designed to reduce changes in temperature and relative humidity during transportation. Museums and professional art shippers commonly use plywood crates because of their strength, rigidity and protective characteristics.
Heavy-Duty and Industrial Crates
Heavy machinery and industrial equipment may require crates with substantially stronger bases and framing than a typical commercial crate.
Heavy-duty sheathed wood crates covered by ASTM D7478, for example, can be designed for loads of up to 30,000 pounds and severe overseas shipping and storage conditions.
These crates often use large lumber members, skids, reinforced floors, bolts and substantial internal blocking to prevent heavy equipment from shifting during transportation.
Export Crates
An export crate is generally a crate intended for international transportation rather than a completely separate construction category.
A commercial, industrial, military or museum crate can all potentially be export crates. When solid wood components are used for international shipments, ISPM 15 requirements may apply depending on the destination country.
Choosing the Right Crate
The right crate depends on much more than its dimensions. Cargo weight, fragility, value, transportation method, handling conditions, exposure to weather and whether the shipment is domestic or international should all be considered.
A lightweight commercial shipment may need only a simple plywood crate, while heavy machinery, military equipment or valuable artwork may require a highly engineered packaging system.
Regardless of the type, a properly sized crate is the starting point for protecting the cargo inside.