Stacking Your Pallet for Delivery

Correctly stacked goods ensure your pallet is safe for transportation through our network and reduces the chance of damage.

Updated: 16/07/2025

How to Stack Your Goods

All palletised freight needs to be correctly loaded onto the pallet before delivery. Incorrectly loaded goods that are unbalanced or overhang the edges of the pallet are more likely to become damaged during transit or topple over and cause injury.

Goods are loaded and unloaded from vehicles several times during the delivery process as they move between our local depots and regional hubs, so correctly stacked goods make this process much quicker, more efficient and safer for our employees.

1. Check the condition of your pallet

Before you begin stacking your goods, you should first check that the pallet itself is in good condition and is suitable for your goods. This means that there are no damaged or broken slats and no protruding nails.

2. Line the base

Use a piece of strong cardboard to line the base of the pallet. This helps prevent deformation of your goods and damage from the forklift forks.

3. Place heavier or larger goods at the bottom

Load the largest or heaviest items onto the pallet first to create a stable base and prevent lighter goods from getting damaged. Align your goods with the edges of the pallet and avoid overhang.

4. Distribute weight

Place items close together to reduce movement and distribute weight evenly to prevent tipping during transit.

5. Stabilise the load

Using cardboard or anti-slip sheets between layers stabilises the goods and helps prevent movement during transportation. You can also use cardboard to protect corners.

Straps can also be used to secure goods by looping them underneath the pallet to hold your freight in place.

6. Check height and weight constraints

We offer a range of different pallet dimensions to suit different height and weight requirements. The maximum height for any pallet in our network is 2.2m, with a weight limit of 1200kg. If your goods exceed these limits, you will have to stack them on separate pallets.

7. Fragile goods?

If your goods are fragile, mark them with ‘fragile’ tape or a ‘do not stack’ cone to alert forklift operators to handle the pallet with extra care. You should also protect the edges and corners with polystyrene or bubble wrap to help prevent damages during delivery.