Custom Wooden Crates in Houston: When a Pallet Isn't Enough to Protect Your Shipment

A standard pallet works for most freight — flat, stackable, fork-accessible cargo that does not need side protection. But some shipments need more. Machinery, industrial equipment, fragile components, and irregularly shaped cargo often require a fully enclosed wooden crate to survive transit without damage. Here is when a custom crate is the right call, and what to expect from the process.

What a Custom Wooden Crate Provides That a Pallet Cannot

A pallet elevates cargo for forklift access and protects the bottom surface. A wooden crate does all of that plus:

• Full enclosure — four sides, top, and bottom protect the cargo from impact, moisture, and handling damage during transit
• Structural rigidity — crates can be engineered to handle specific load weights and stacking forces that an open pallet cannot support
• Custom interior dimensions — built to fit your specific equipment or product, not a standard footprint
• Tamper resistance — enclosed crates reduce the risk of cargo theft or interference during long-haul or international shipping
• ISPM-15 compliance — for export shipments, heat-treated custom crates meet international phytosanitary requirements for wood packaging materials

Industries That Use Custom Crates in Houston

Houston's industrial base makes it one of the highest-demand markets for custom wooden crates in Texas. The industries that rely on crating most often include:

• Oil and gas equipment — pumps, valves, instrumentation, and precision components that cannot be palletized safely
• Manufacturing and industrial machinery — capital equipment that requires immobilization and full protection during transit
• Aerospace and defense — high-value components with strict handling and packaging requirements
• Port of Houston export shipments — cargo moving through the port often requires ISPM-15 compliant crating for international delivery
• Art and specialty items — oversized or fragile pieces that cannot ship on a standard pallet

How MGM Pallets Builds Custom Crates

We build custom wooden crates to your specifications at our Houston facility. The process starts with the dimensions and weight of your cargo, any special handling requirements, and whether the shipment is domestic or export (which determines heat treatment requirements).

From there we build to spec. Crates can include interior bracing, foam or padding accommodations, skid bases for forklift access, and removable lids for inspectable shipments. We build what the job requires, not a standard kit with modifications.

Domestic vs. Export Crating

For domestic freight, custom crates are built for structural strength and cargo protection. Standard lumber is typically used unless the customer specifies otherwise.

For export shipments moving through the Port of Houston or any international destination, wood packaging must comply with ISPM-15. This means the lumber used in the crate must be heat-treated and stamped with the HT mark. All MGM Pallets export crates are built with ISPM-15 compliant materials.

Get a Quote on a Custom Crate for Your Shipment

If you have a shipment that needs more protection than a standard pallet provides, we can build a crate that fits. MGM Pallets serves Houston and the surrounding area including Pasadena, Deer Park, Baytown, and the Port of Houston corridor.

Call 832-903-6042 or visit our custom crates page to discuss your project. Tell us what you are shipping, the dimensions, and your timeline — we will handle the rest.