Soft packed items are covered with malleable protective materials such as plastic, bubble-wrap, and cardboard. Crated items are surrounded by custom made wooden cases that afford maximum protection. A crate may be required when an item is too fragile, highly valued or oddly shaped to entrust soft packing. A crate is always required when sending goods by airplane or common carrier. A4's staff is fully trained in both soft packing and crating and we can assist you with any packing project related to your goods in transit.
Freight forward is term that describes the transfer of goods from one shipping firm to another.
This can mean from one art handling company to another or to a common carrier who is not specially equipped to handle artwork. Whenever items leave the care of an art handling company and move on by either plane or common carrier truck it is highly recommended that crates be employed to protect the goods. Cross dock is a term that is commonly misunderstood. In the world of art handling, and at A4, cross docking means that shipments move from one of the company's trucks to another via the company's warehouse. Since there can be confusion about this terminology, we strongly advise that customers inquire as to the specific method of transit in any freight forward situation.