Plywood Boxes & Crates
Export crates engineered for the cargo, not the catalogue.
Plywood boxes and crates built around your payload — cushioned, lashed and skidded for sea, air or road, and loaded FOB Cochin with the documents in the pocket.
Specification
The spec sheet, in full.
Engineered to the weight, the centre of gravity and the journey — not to a standard size that nearly fits.
| Product | Plywood boxes & crates — nailed, clip-assembled or collapsible |
|---|---|
| Construction | Plywood panels on a sawn-timber frame, skid or runner base |
| Rated for | Sea, air and road freight; heavy and over-dimensional cargo |
| Sizes | Bespoke to your payload, footprint and centre of gravity |
| Protection | Cushioning, VCI / barrier lining, desiccant, bracing and lashing points |
| Closures | Nailed, clip (re-openable) or fully collapsible / knock-down |
| Moisture | 15% or below at dispatch |
| Treatment | ISPM-15 treated and stamped on solid-wood frame members (plywood panels are exempt) |
| Minimum order | Project quantity; part-load and LCL options by route |
| Lead time | 7–10 working days for stock items; 15–20 for made-to-order, from receipt of advance |
Send your cargo weight, dimensions and destination for a written quote within one business day.
Why our crates
The box is the last thing between your machine and the sea.
Engineered to the cargo
Panel thickness, bracing and skid sized to the payload and its centre of gravity — not a one-size box.
Collapsible saves freight
Knock-down crates ship flat and assemble on site — less volume out, less cost back.
Paperwork at dispatch
ISPM-15 stamping and certificates issued with the shipment, ready for the destination port.
Box or crate — which one your cargo needs
The two are not interchangeable. Closed boxes protect; open crates restrain. The cargo, the voyage and the handling decide which.
| Type | Construction | Specify it when |
|---|---|---|
| Closed plywood box | Full panel enclosure on a timber frame | Machinery with exposed surfaces, electronics, anything that must not be touched, seen or rained on. Takes barrier lining and desiccant. |
| Open crate | Battened frame with partial sheathing | Heavy castings, structural steel, cargo that is already weatherproof. Lighter, cheaper to ship, easier to inspect at customs. |
| Collapsible / knock-down | Panels and cleats that assemble on site | Repeat lanes and return logistics. Ships flat, so you pay volume once rather than on every empty leg. |
How the box is engineered to the load
Panel thickness, frame section and skid spacing are calculated from the payload and where its weight actually sits — not chosen from a size chart.
| Input | What it changes |
|---|---|
| Payload and centre of gravity | Sets panel thickness and the position of bearers. An off-centre load is braced to the frame so it cannot walk in transit. |
| Handling method | Forklift, sling or crane changes the base. Slung cargo needs lifting points and reinforced corners; forklift entry sets the skid height. |
| Voyage and stow | Under-deck, on-deck or break-bulk changes the exposure. On-deck and break-bulk get heavier sheathing and full weather protection. |
| Stack height | Boxes stacked in the hold carry the weight above them. Corner posts are sized for the stack, not the single unit. |
| Destination handling | Ports with rough handling get thicker corners and more cleats. We would rather over-build the corner than replace the machine. |
What we need to quote accurately
Send these five and a written quote follows within one business day. Send fewer and we will come back asking — which costs you a day.
- Cargo weight — gross, and the centre of gravity if it is off-centre.
- Dimensions — length × width × height of the item, not the box.
- Destination port and mode — sea, air or road, and whether it stows on deck.
- Handling at both ends — forklift, crane or sling.
- Quantity and repeat — one-off, or a recurring lane we should tool up for.
Drawings welcome. If you have a crate that has worked before, send the drawing and we will build to it.
Questions buyers ask
Plywood boxes & crates, answered.
Do plywood crates need ISPM-15 treatment?
The plywood panels are ISPM-15 exempt because plywood is processed wood. The solid-timber frame, skids and battens must be treated and stamped — which we do, with certificate. Read the full ISPM-15 guide →
Can the crates be collapsible?
Yes — we build clip-assembled and fully collapsible knock-down crates that ship flat and re-assemble on site, cutting return freight and storage.
What is the maximum size and weight you can crate?
Bespoke, including heavy and over-dimensional cargo — we size the panels, frame and skid to the weight and centre of gravity you give us.
Do you provide cushioning and moisture protection?
Yes — cushioning, VCI/barrier lining, desiccant and bracing are specified to the cargo and the journey.
Can plywood crates be collapsible?
Yes - clip-assembled and fully collapsible knock-down crates ship flat and re-assemble on site, cutting return freight and storage.
Can you build to our drawing?
Yes, and we prefer it. Send the drawing and we build to that specification, batch after batch. If the drawing has a weakness we have seen fail on that lane, we will say so before we quote rather than after.
Do you supply flat-pack crates we assemble ourselves?
Yes. Knock-down crates ship flat and assemble on site with cleats and fasteners supplied. For repeat lanes this cuts a large part of the outbound volume, and it is the usual choice where the empty has to travel back.
What protection can go inside the box?
VCI film and barrier lining against corrosion, desiccant for long or humid voyages, foam or timber cushioning shaped to the item, and internal bracing so nothing shifts. Specify the sensitivity of the cargo and we will spec the interior.
Which plywood goes into the panels?
Packing-grade plywood on a rubberwood or eucalyptus hardwood core. Thickness is set by the weight class. For export crates where a clean, light face matters, Okoume-faced panels are available on request.
Can you crate at our factory instead of yours?
For over-dimensional cargo that cannot travel to us uncrated, on-site packing is arranged case by case. Tell us the location and the cargo and we will tell you whether it is practical.
Plywood boxes & crates
Send the cargo. Get a number, not a brochure.
Tell us weight, dimensions and destination port. The export desk replies within one business day.