Load Restraint Guide: How Pallet Wrap Supports Freight Compliance in Australia & New Zealand

Key Takeaways 

• Unitization improves safety and efficiency: Palletizing goods with stretch wrap helps transform multiple items into a single, stable load that’s easier and safer to handle.

• Stretch wrap is a versatile and compliant method that supports both protection and load containment, meeting legal and practical requirements across multiple industries.

• Australia and New Zealand have strict laws regarding load restraint. Both countries require freight to be restrained in all directions, and stretch wrap must be paired with other restraint systems.

• Proper wrapping technique is essential. Common issues such as under-wrapping, over-wrapping, or using poor-quality film can lead to compliance failures or damaged goods.

• MMP Corporation offers industry-grade stretch films. M Stretch products are engineered for durability, performance, and compliance with legal requirements across a range of loads and conditions.

Shipping freight to Australia or New Zealand means meeting some of the strictest load restraint standards in the region. Both countries hold everyone in the supply chain accountable for securing goods properly, and the consequences of getting it wrong range from fines to serious liability.

The good news? Pallet wrapping with stretch wrap significantly helps in meeting these requirements. When applied correctly, it turns loose cargo into a single, stable unit that's easier to restrain on a vehicle and safer to transport. Here's what you need to know about Australia’s NHVR Load Restraint Guide, New Zealand's equivalent standards, and how quality pallet wrap fits into the picture.

Why Load Containment & Unitization Matters

Safety is at the heart of the practice of palletizing freight. Unitization, the process of combining multiple items into a single shipping unit. Instead of treating each carton as a separate item to restrain, you're working with one cohesive block, helping make freight easier to load, move, and secure. 

This matters for a few reasons. Unitized loads are faster to load and unload because forklifts can move entire pallets rather than individual items. Unitized loads are also easier to restrain using secondary measures like strapping or blocking. The goal is a stable load that moves as one unit, which is also safer because products can't shift independently during transit. When a truck brakes suddenly or takes a sharp turn, a properly unitized pallet moves as one piece rather than scattering across the trailer.

Why Stretch Wrap is the Go-to Method for Unitization

When it comes to unitizing loads on pallets, stretch wrap is the most cost-effective and versatile method available. Compared to steel banding or complex packaging systems, stretch film adapts to various product shapes and provides continuous tension around the load.

More than just load containment, stretch wrap provides protection against dust and dirt, moisture and condensation, and tampering during transit without adding significant weight or cost. Clear wrap also makes it easier to visually inspect cargo during roadside checks or warehouse receiving.

Load Restraint Laws in Australia

Australia uses the Load Restraint Guide from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) as the primary reference for securing freight on heavy vehicles. The NHVR Load Restraint Guide sets out performance standards that restraint systems must meet, including withstanding forces from braking (0.8g forward), acceleration (0.5g rearward), and cornering (0.5g sideways).

The 2025 edition of the guide includes updated diagrams, 12 case studies, and clearer formatting to help operators understand what's required. It describes several methods for achieving "direct restraint," including containing (blocking), tie-down, and unitization. Stretch and shrink wrapping are specifically mentioned as common ways to unitize palletized loads.

One thing the guide makes clear: unitization alone isn't enough. A wrap must be combined with other restraints, such as straps, lashings, headboards, or blocking, to fully secure a load. Think of pallet wrap as the foundation that holds your products together. It still needs a proper tie-down to keep the entire pallet in place on the vehicle.

Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), everyone in the supply chain shares responsibility for load safety. This "Chain of Responsibility" extends from consignors and packers to drivers and receivers. Non-compliance can result in fines, prosecution, and significant liability if an incident occurs.

Load Restraint Standards in New Zealand

New Zealand's transport authority (NZTA) publishes the Truck Loading Code, which covers similar ground to Australia's Load Restraint Guide. Loads must be restrained against movement in four directions: forward, backward, sideways, and vertical. The code requires loads to be packed tightly before applying restraint devices, such as lashings or straps.

For curtain-side trucks and similar vehicles, the code specifically recommends using plastic stretch wrap, pallet strapping, or similar materials to unitize loads and reduce movement. Like Australia, New Zealand expects wrap to support primary restraint methods rather than replace them.

If you're exporting to both markets, the principle is consistent: a well-wrapped pallet makes your restraint system more effective and helps demonstrate compliance during inspections.

How Pallet Wrap Supports Compliance

From a compliance perspective, the NHVR and NZTA recognize stretch wrapping as a standard unitizing method. For heavier or sharp-edged loads, pallet wrap should be used alongside other restraints rather than on its own. And properly wrapped pallets are easier to inspect, which helps demonstrate compliance during roadside checks. Correctly wrapped pallets are easier to inspect and less likely to be flagged at compliance stops.

The NHVR Load Restraint Guide and the NZTA code specifically mention stretch wrapping as part of compliant packing practice. But to meet legal standards, the wrapping must:

• Properly anchor the load to the pallet

• Be free of gaps or looseness

• Be paired with straps, boards, or blocking where required

Risks of Improper Stretch Wrap Use

Not Enough Wrapping

Under-wrapped pallets are a liability. If the wrap doesn’t reach the pallet base or lacks proper tension, the bottom layers may shift or fall. This compromises the whole load and raises the chance of accidents or damage. Fragile packaging and sharp edges can also tear the film, especially if not enough overlap is applied.

Too Much Wrapping or Poor Film Quality

Over-wrapping adds unnecessary cost and waste. Worse, excess tension can stress delicate products, leading to crushed packaging or split seams. Low-quality film that lacks stretch recovery or puncture resistance can fail even before the load leaves the warehouse.

Techniques for Better Wrapping

Well-executed wrapping techniques also reduce the amount of film used per pallet, cutting down on material costs and landfill waste. Here are a few techniques to make your pallet wrapping more effective:

• Anchor the film to the base: Begin by wrapping around the bottom of the pallet to prevent upward slippage.

• Use corner protectors: For sharp or heavy boxes, use cardboard angles to reduce film punctures and distribute pressure.

• Apply the right tension: Too much or too little tension can ruin the load. Work with your film supplier to calibrate correctly.

• Overlap consistently: Each pass of the film should overlap the last by 50% to create a tight seal.

• Inspect before dispatch: A quick check for loose film, holes, or unanchored wrap helps avoid compliance issues.

• Use layers of restraint: Combine stretch wrap with straps or lashings for maximum security, especially on mixed or heavy loads.

Why Choose MMP Corporation

At MMP Corporation, we manufacture industrial-grade stretch films built for performance. Our M Stretch line is engineered to handle lightweight cartons and food packaging, mixed load profiles with irregular edges, and heavy industrial goods requiring tight containment.

We support logistics operators across the Asia-Pacific region with custom film recommendations and technical guidance. Our stretch wrap helps businesses meet compliance requirements while improving handling speed, protection, and cost efficiency. To prevent load shift, product damage, or inconsistent wrap quality, contact MMP Corporation for guidance on selecting the right stretch film for your operation

References:

• Load Restraint Guide. Retrieved on 6 January 2026 from https://www.nhvr.gov.au/road-access/loading/load-restraint-guide

• The Official New Zealand Truck Loading Code. Retrieved on 6 January 2026 from https://nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/roadcode/truck-loading-code/docs/tlc.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NHVR Load Restraint Guide? 

The NHVR Load Restraint Guide is Australia's primary reference document for securing freight on heavy vehicles. Published by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, it outlines performance standards, restraint methods, and best practices for safe load transport.

Does stretch wrap count as a load restraint? 

Stretch wrap is recognized as a unitizing method that supports load restraint, but it shouldn't be used as the sole restraint. Both Australian and New Zealand guidelines expect wrap to be combined with straps, lashings, blocking, or other primary restraint methods.

What forces must load restraint systems withstand in Australia? 

According to the NHVR Load Restraint Guide, restraint systems must withstand 0.8g forward (braking), 0.5g rearward (acceleration), and 0.5g sideways (cornering).

What is the Chain of Responsibility? 

Under Australia's Heavy Vehicle National Law, all parties in the supply chain—consignors, packers, loaders, drivers, and receivers—share responsibility for load safety. Non-compliance can result in fines and liability.

How does New Zealand's Truck Loading Code differ from Australia's Load Restraint Guide? 

Both documents cover similar principles. New Zealand's code requires loads to be restrained in four directions (forward, backward, sideways, vertical) and specifically recommends unitizing with stretch wrap for curtain-side vehicles.

What's the best way to wrap a pallet for compliance? 

Start by anchoring the film to the pallet base, overlapping each layer by at least 50%. Use corner protectors on sharp edges and combine wrap with appropriate straps or lashings for heavier loads