Who is responsible for load securing? Packer, shipper and carrier explained
Two jobs, often mixed up
Load securing is really two jobs:
- Making the load unit stable. Each pallet must stay together and stay rigid under the forces of transport. That is decided when the pallet is built and wrapped.
- Securing the load in the vehicle. The pallets must be held in place in the truck with walls, blocking, straps or other measures.
A well-strapped truck does not save a pallet that falls apart, and a perfect pallet can still slide around an unsecured trailer. Both jobs have to be done.
Who does what
| Role | Main responsibility |
|---|---|
| Consignor / packer | Prepares the load so packages and unit loads can withstand normal transport. Describes the goods and their weight correctly. |
| Shipper / loader | Places the load in the vehicle so it can be secured, for example without gaps and with the weight distributed. |
| Carrier / driver | Secures the load in the vehicle and checks it before and during transport. |
The split above follows the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (the CTU Code). In practice, the same company can hold several roles.
The rules that apply in Europe
- CTU Code. International guidance on packing cargo transport units. It sets out the consignor’s duty to make unit loads fit for the stresses of normal transport, and the reference forces: 0.8 g forward and 0.5 g sideways and backward for road transport.
- EN 12195-1. The European standard for calculating load securing on road vehicles.
- Roadside inspections. EU rules on roadside inspections of commercial vehicles include cargo securing, and the European Commission has published guidelines on cargo securing for road transport. The Commission states that up to 25 % of truck accidents are linked to poorly secured cargo.
- National law. Road traffic and transport law decide who can be fined. In several countries, for example Germany, the driver, the vehicle operator and the loading party can all be held responsible.
This guide is an overview, not legal advice. Check the rules in each country you ship to.
What a packer can do
- Choose the film and settings on evidence, not habit. Run the film at the pre-stretch it is designed for. See the right pre-stretch.
- Test the load unit. A tilt test, containment force measurements and, where possible, an EUMOS 40509 acceleration test.
- Document it. Keep the test results together with the film, the wrapper settings and photos of the pallet.
Documentation turns a discussion about who is to blame into a record of what was done. Palletseal keeps every test, film and setting together in a report the packer can file and share.
Questions we often get
Who is responsible for a stable pallet?
The party that prepares the load. Under the CTU Code the consignor must ensure that packages and unit loads can withstand the stresses expected in normal transport.
Who is responsible for securing the load in the truck?
The carrier and the driver, who must secure the load with straps, blocking or other measures suited to the vehicle.
Are roadside inspections in the EU checking cargo securing?
Yes. EU rules on roadside inspections of commercial vehicles include the securing of cargo, and the European Commission has published guidelines on cargo securing.
How can a packer document that a pallet is stable?
By testing it: a tilt test, containment force measurements and, where possible, an acceleration test such as EUMOS 40509, all recorded with the film and wrapper settings used.
