Pallet Control
The transfer and control of third party pallet hire is a major concern and risk area to senders of freight. QRX does not provide a Chep or Loscam pallet exchange service at the point of pick up.
We do, however, operate a successful pallet control system within our business, options of which are described under Pallet Control.
Packaging
These guidelines will provide customers with some helpful hints for the packaging and preparation of consignments for transportation.
We strongly recommend that all customers seek professional assistance when determining their packaging requirements, to minimise the risk of damage to their product.
Cubic Measurement
The following information is to assist you to understand the charging of cubic consignments and the formula involved.
Pallet Control
Customers Own Pallets
Where a customer has their own internal arrangements between sender and receiver we require the QRX "Customers Own Pallet" sticker to be applied to our Freight Note. This will avoid QRX attempting to gain an exchange from the receiver at the point of delivery.
Transfer to Receivers Account
At the point of pick-up please attach a fully completed copy of your pallet hirer's paperwork to our consignment note, transferring the pallet to the receiver. Please note that it will be the responsibility of the sender to initiate the transfer process directly with their pallet hirer company. Please ensure that a QRX "Customers Own Pallet" sticker is applied to our Freight Note to avoid QRX attempting to gain an exchange from the receiver at the point of delivery.
Where the sending customer or the receiver does not have a Chep or Loscam account we recommend the use of plain pallets.
Transfer to QRX Account
Where the sending customer has a significant volume of Chep or Loscam pallets, QRX will permit an exchange to the QRX pallet account. This arrangement is subject to senior management approval and the post dating of the transfer documents by one week to allow QRX sufficient time to recover the pallet from the receiver and to organise the dehire off our account. If the pallet is consigned to one of the major retailer distribution centres (e.g. Woolworths, Coles etc) we require the transfer document to be post dated by 30 days.
We understand the value of your pallets and every effort will made to ensure the successful management of the above processes.
Should you require clarification on any point or further information, please do not hesitate to contact your Accout Management Team or one of our Pallet Control officers.
Packaging Guide
Pallets Packaging
Use pallets which are in good condition and strong enough to support and secure the products.
Do not overload a pallet with either excess weight, height or volume as this can lead to the pallet load moving or collapsing.
Consider using masonite sheets or similar product on the top of the pallet to provide extra protection from other freight that may be stowed on top during transit.
Always secure your product to the pallet to prevent movement and slippage in transit.
When stacking cartons onto pallets always ensure they are packed tight and tie stacked from layer to layer. Where possible avoid any overhang as this can lead to the freight being exposed to potential damage from other freight during transit.
Where possible always protect the product with some form of outer packaging (e.g. cardboard, fibreboard, bubblewrap, plastic products, polyfoam, heat shrink plastic etc) to prevent rubbing, scratching, denting or marking to the product.
Banding or filament strapping is recommend for any heavy items to safely secure them to the pallet.
Stretchwrap should be used where possible as both a protective cover and as a securing mechanism for the product on the pallet. Stretchwrap is available in a variety of thicknesses, so it is important to use the appropriate material depending on the type of product and its weight.
When applying stretchwrap always tie the end to the pallet base to avoid slippage and to provide a secure point of tension.
During the wrapping process always pre-stretch the plastic to approx 50-60% of its length on each side and always start from the bottom of the pallet base with one layer up and one layer down as a minimum requirement. For heavy items additional layers should be applied.
Where possible use fragile or top load only stickers to help us identify and determine the best means of safely stowing your freight
The use of third party hire of pallets is a major risk area to senders and receivers of freight. Careful consideration and planning should be given to the addministration of pallet hire.
Unusual Freight Packaging
When conventional packaging with cartons and pallets is not feasible it is strongly recommended that alternative packaging methods are used to ensure safe handling and stowage during transit.
For over length items it is essential that the product is secured safely to a base to facilitate mechanical loading/unloading with our forklifts.
Machinery and equipment items should likewise be fully crated and bolted down to provide adequate protection for the product, with the appropriate provision for forklift handling.
For unusually shaped items it is a minimum requirement that the product be fully secured and strapped to a pallet or base to minimise the risk of damage and to provide safe handling for personnel during the loading, stowage and unloading processes.
With unusually shaped items never attempt to over load the skid or base.
Where the centre of balance of the product is to the left, right or high of centre please note this clearly on the packaging to assist our forklift drivers during loading and unloading of your freight.
Where possible use fragile or top load only stickers to help us identify and determine the best means of safely stowing your freight.
Items that can not be lifted by a forklift should be clearly marked in bold writing with the appropriate lifting instructions. This information should also be noted on the consignment note.
Where specialised lifting equipment is required the instructions or requirements should be conveyed in advanced to ensure appropriate arrangements are made. Please note that such provisions may incur additional costs.
Cubic Measurement - Measuring Consignment Mass
What is Cubic Freight?
QRX measures its carrying capacity in two (2) ways, by the cubic volume and by the deadweight. As an example, if you compare the volume of a tonne of ping pong balls to a tonne of lead, the ping pong balls obviously take up much more space.
When we load a container or truck up with high volume freight like ping pong balls or feathers, it is not possible to utilise the deadweight carrying capacity of the vehicle. The capacity is how we base our pricing structure. Therefore the only economical way that the balls can be charged for is at their cubic volume using the industry standard to obtain a deadweight kilogram equivalent to the cubic dimensions to the freight.
*This is based on 333 kilograms per cubic metre.
For example: a box of ping pong balls weighing 45 kilos with the following measurements:
Length = 150cms Width = 45cms Height = 85cms
The formula would be:
1.50 x 0.45 x 0.85 x 333 = 191 kilograms.
The chargeable weight would be 191 kilograms. Please note that all measurements must be in centimetres only.
Although cubic conversion of freight is standard industry practise, there has always been a degree of confusion and misunderstanding of the formula. Simply put, it is the share of the payload capacity (space) that is being paid for by users of transport services.
In essence, a cubic metre of freight will attract a minimum chargeable cubic weight of 333 kilograms for that cubic metre of space. Obviously a cubic metre of lead that weighs 900 kilograms will be charged at its deadweight.
We suggest that all measurements and weights be calculated at your dispatch point and entered on the consignment note where possible. Our system constantly monitors both of these factors daily and by load.
We trust that this will help you to understand when and if freight is cubed. If you have any questions please contact your local Account Management Team for further assistance.
