Slip Sheets Buying Guide for Export Packaging

Quick answer

Buy slip sheets as a pallet alternative or load separator by locking sheet material, caliper, size, tab style, and whether your forklifts use push-pull attachments. A catalog “heavy sheet” without equipment fit will fail at the warehouse door.

What slip sheets do

They replace or supplement wood pallets to save cube and avoid wood-related export issues on some lanes. They also separate unit loads. Success depends on sheet strength, load footprint, and handling equipment—not only recycled paper claims.

Material and caliper

Common constructions use kraft or solid fibre laminations at specified calipers. Higher caliper helps heavier loads but costs cube and money. Ask for grade, caliper tolerance, moisture sensitivity, and whether coatings are used. Match sheet strength to stacked weight and humidity.

Size and tabs

Sheet dimensions must match pallet footprint or container planning. Tabs (lips) allow push-pull engagement—define tab width/position. Wrong tab geometry is a top reason first orders bounce in receiving.

Equipment compatibility

Confirm push-pull attachment availability at origin and destination warehouses. If partners lack attachments, slip sheets may force re-palletization and erase savings. Pilot one lane before network rollout.

System with other export materials

Combine with edge boards, stretch wrap, and sometimes paper pallets or dunnage bags depending on the load plan. Slip sheets do not replace proper weight distribution or container blocking when voids exist.

RFQ fields

Sheet L×W, caliper/grade, tab design

Max unit load weight and stack height

Push-pull model notes; humidity exposure

Annual volume; sample for handling trials

Destination; Incoterms; packing of sheets

Related PackTrades Knowledge

Edge Board Buying Guide, Dunnage Air Bags Buying Guide, How to Source Stretch Film from China, Export Carton Packaging Requirements, Industrial Protective Packaging Overview.