Wood shipping crates are tough and generally recyclable once they reach the end of their lifespan. But if you're a company trying to save costs on shipping, you want wood crates that last as long as possible so that you don't have to keep buying more and more. Not only does that entail finding crates made of good, strong wood, but it also means finding some with certain features that can help keep those crates in reusable condition.

Bug-Free Guarantee

Wood is a pest's paradise, and it's so easy to get a crate that has some unwelcome occupants. Even if the bugs are generally harmless, no one wants to send a bug-filled crate around the country. In fact, some countries around the world require that wooden crates have a stamp of approval from the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), which essentially says the crate will not bring in bugs that could harm the plant life in the country. But even if you're not planning to ship internationally, having a bug-free crate means the wood won't be eaten away or hollowed out, both of which can weaken the wood.

Cleats, Joists, and Other Reinforcements

Wood crates aren't just panels of wood put together -- you've surely seen extra beams and planks placed in strategic places. These are cleats or joists that help shore up the structure of the crate. Any wood crates that you buy should have several joists and cleats around the structure, particularly on the corners and along seams where planks are connected. While people transporting the crates are going to try to place them so that the crates aren't thrown around, even a regular truck ride on a highway can cause cargo, including those crates, to shake and bump into other boxes and crates. The extra reinforcement that the cleats and joists provide will help keep the crates in one piece for a longer time.

Resealable Openings

Crates usually have a lid or a door that is obviously reusable. But the way the lid or door fastens onto the crate can make the crate fail at a faster rate. If you have a plain lid that is held on by nails, then every time you replace that lid, you create new nail holes in the crate. Too many nail holes, and the crate can become useless rather quickly. What you want to find is a door or lid that can be latched on securely without nails or that has another resealable lid that won't damage the wood on the crate.

Crate companies and shipping supply companies like Portland Packaging Co Inc can help you find the right type of crate for the things you need to ship. They may even have crates that have the IPPC certification, which can give you that extra reassurance that pests won't be hanging around, even if you're just looking for domestic-shipping containers.