{"id":6569,"date":"2023-07-17T10:39:10","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T09:39:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/?p=6569"},"modified":"2025-09-04T14:17:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T13:17:03","slug":"shipping-flat-rack-containers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/shipping-flat-rack-containers\/","title":{"rendered":"Shipping Flat Rack Containers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a flat rack container?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A flat rack (FR) container is a piece of special shipping equipment that does not have a top or long sides.&nbsp; The base is constructed to hold heavier loads than a standard shipping container.&nbsp; There are only end walls which can be either static or collapsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why use a flat rack container?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Flat rack containers are used in shipping when freight needs to be loaded from the top or the side, generally for bulky or heavy loads.&nbsp; Goods will usually be craned into place on the FR, strapped and secured ready for shipping.&nbsp; Loads for shipping a flat rack container can either be covered with a secure tarpaulin or shrink wrapped.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>FRs are also used for out of gauge freight.&nbsp; Cargo can overhang the long sides of the container during transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What examples of cargo do you use a flat rack for?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>FRs can be used for any cargo that is considered out of gauge, or unable to load into a standard shipping container due to bulky nature or weight.&nbsp; FRs are commonly used for large pieces of machinery, pipes, vehicles, timber to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>FRs come in three sizes: 20\u2019, 40\u2019 and 40\u2019 high cube.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How do I arrange the shipping of a flat rack container?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To begin the process of shipping a flat rack, first appoint a freight forwarder.&nbsp; An experienced freight forwarder will be able to arrange the delivery of a FR to your premises for loading, advise any requirements for how to load and lash your freight, transport the loaded goods to the sea freight port for export, book space on a vessel, and even clear and deliver your shipment once it arrives at destination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mercator is a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/about-mercator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UK based freight forwarder<\/a>, our export department handle regular loads of out of gauge and heavy freight using FRs.&nbsp; Below are images of an export George handled recently for shipping to the USA using a 40ft FR.&nbsp; The cargo was loaded on site at the exporter\u2019s premises using an on-site crane, lashed and covered with a tarpaulin for shipping to the USA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"561\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Machinery-Loaded-on-a-Flat-Rack-Container.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Machinery-Loaded-on-a-Flat-Rack-Container.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Machinery-Loaded-on-a-Flat-Rack-Container-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Machinery-Loaded-on-a-Flat-Rack-Container-768x431.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Machinery loaded on a Flat Rack Container for shipping to USA.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"562\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Machinery-Loaded-on-a-Flat-Rack-Container-ready-for-Shipping-min.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8448\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Machinery-Loaded-on-a-Flat-Rack-Container-ready-for-Shipping-min.webp 1000w, https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Machinery-Loaded-on-a-Flat-Rack-Container-ready-for-Shipping-min-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Machinery-Loaded-on-a-Flat-Rack-Container-ready-for-Shipping-min-768x432.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Machinery Covered in Tarpaulin on a FR ready for shipping.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you require services for shipping using a flat rack container, then get in touch with our export team.&nbsp; We regularly handle UK manufactured machinery and components for export across the globe.&nbsp; Our team will be glad to provide you with a quote for your flat rack shipping requirements.&nbsp; You can call our team on (+44) 02392 756 575, email <a href=\"mailto:sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk\">sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk<\/a>, or complete the form below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Request a Quote for Shipping Flat Rack Containers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"widget\" data-elementor-id=\"163\" class=\"elementor elementor-163\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-163 elementor-button-align-stretch elementor-widget elementor-widget-form\" data-id=\"163\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;button_width&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;step_next_label&quot;:&quot;Next&quot;,&quot;step_previous_label&quot;:&quot;Previous&quot;,&quot;step_type&quot;:&quot;number_text&quot;,&quot;step_icon_shape&quot;:&quot;circle&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<form class=\"elementor-form\" method=\"post\" name=\"Contact Form\" aria-label=\"Contact Form\">\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"post_id\" value=\"163\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"form_id\" value=\"163\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"referer_title\" value=\"LCL China to UK - Mercator Cargo Systems\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"queried_id\" value=\"8495\"\/>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-form-fields-wrapper elementor-labels-above\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-name elementor-col-50 elementor-field-required elementor-mark-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-name\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tName\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"text\" name=\"form_fields[name]\" id=\"form-field-name\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"Jane Doe\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-email elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-email elementor-col-50 elementor-field-required elementor-mark-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"email\" name=\"form_fields[email]\" id=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_1e5894a elementor-col-50 elementor-field-required elementor-mark-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-field_1e5894a\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCompany Name\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"text\" name=\"form_fields[field_1e5894a]\" id=\"form-field-field_1e5894a\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"e.g Mercator Cargo\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-tel elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_d0d8f2c elementor-col-50 elementor-field-required elementor-mark-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-field_d0d8f2c\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhone Number\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"tel\" name=\"form_fields[field_d0d8f2c]\" id=\"form-field-field_d0d8f2c\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"02392 756575\" required=\"required\" pattern=\"[0-9()#&amp;+*-=.]+\" title=\"Only numbers and phone characters (#, -, *, etc) are accepted.\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-textarea elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-message elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required elementor-mark-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-message\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMessage\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<textarea class=\"elementor-field-textual elementor-field  elementor-size-sm\" name=\"form_fields[message]\" id=\"form-field-message\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"To Request a Quote please provide collection &amp; delivery postcodes, plus weights and dimensions\" required=\"required\"><\/textarea>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-recaptcha_v3 elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_15c0bab elementor-col-100 recaptcha_v3-inline\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field\" id=\"form-field-field_15c0bab\"><div class=\"elementor-g-recaptcha\" data-sitekey=\"6Ld0waAkAAAAAN_-SsX3ZgxMF0Ugbg8OUwTGiAao\" data-type=\"v3\" data-action=\"Form\" data-badge=\"inline\" data-size=\"invisible\"><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-type-submit elementor-col-20 e-form__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" type=\"submit\" id=\"#contact-button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Submit<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a flat rack container? A flat rack (FR) container is a piece of special shipping equipment that does not have a top or long sides.&nbsp; The base is constructed to hold heavier loads than a standard shipping container.&nbsp; There are only end walls which can be either static or collapsible. Why use a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":6457,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[967,965,352,353,919,583,964],"class_list":["post-6569","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-freight-forwarder-experience","tag-flat-rack","tag-flat-rack-container","tag-out-of-gauge-cargo","tag-out-of-gauge-freight","tag-out-of-gauge-shipping","tag-shipping-container","tag-shipping-flat-rack-containers"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6569","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6569"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6569\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mercatorcargo.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}