Wood Crating vs. Shipping Containers vs. ATA Cases vs. Corrugated Boxes

When deciding how to protect, transport, and store your valuable business equipment, there are several options to choose from – wood crates, ATA cases, injection molded cases, trunk cases, and more. One the most affordable, yet still highly protective is custom corrugated boxes with foam inserts. This option has several benefits, such as:

Wood Crating

Wood crating is a popular option for packaging heavy and large machines or equipment, as well as those with delicate or complex parts. Wooden crates are custom-built to fit the equipment, providing a high level of protection against damage during transport. For equipment that needs to be fully enclosed and is too cumbersome for people to move by hand, a crate for shipping is the obvious choice. The crates can also be made with heat-treated wood, which is required for international shipping to prevent the spread of pests. The main disadvantage of wood crating is that it can be costly, particularly for large or complex equipment.

Shipping Containers

Shipping containers, made from plastic or wood, are useful for smaller objects that can be moved by one or two people. Almost all shipping containers come with a custom foam interior to maximize protection and vibration reduction. They are also much lighter than a wood crate. The two material choices also come with their own benefits. The plastic containers will be lighter, but more expensive than the wood containers. So if cost is the main driver, a wood container is preferred. However, if the item needs to be moved by hand or transported by airplane, then the lightweight plastic container is likely best for you.

ATA Cases

ATA cases are hardshell cases that are designed for the protection of sensitive equipment during transport. They are made of a variety of materials, such as plastic or wood and aluminum. They are most commonly seen at events where delicate devices like cameras, audio equipment, and instruments are being transported. The main advantage of ATA cases is the rigidity and durability of them. Due to their strength, they can be built to be stackable and have internal shelves and trays. ATA cases also typically have custom foam inserts to better protect your equipment. ATA cases are one of the strongest forms of custom packaging, but do have size and weight limitations far under wood crating for large pieces of equipment.

Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated boxes are a very common option for packaging equipment, and they are often used for shipping smaller or less fragile equipment. They are the most inexpensive, easy to obtain, and lightest option but they offer far less protection than wood crates, shipping containers, or ATA cases. Corrugated boxes are not suitable for shipping heavy or bulky equipment, as they can easily become damaged during transport. If you believe the packaging may get rained on, left on a moist ground, or need to be reused, corrugated boxes will not be a good fit. However, if you are shipping equipment that is not highly fragile and it just needs to make one trip from warehouse to warehouse, this is your best option.