Crates for populated and empty server racks and IT cabinets, built on a shock-isolating base with a removable front so the rack rolls straight in. Made in Devon, delivered across the UK or ready for export.
Last reviewed 30 October 2026
A loaded server rack is tall, heavy, top-heavy and full of parts that dislike being jolted. APS Packaging builds server rack crates that solve all four: a shock pallet base sized to the rack’s weight, a crate that stands on the isolated deck so it moves with the rack rather than against it, a front that comes off so the rack can be wheeled or lifted in, and bolt-down points drilled to the rack’s own transport holes. Crates for export are built from heat-treated timber and stamped under our ISPM 15 registration, FC0542.
| Part | How we build it | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Base | A shock pallet: double ply deck, isolators sized to the rack, timber legs with fork entry | Takes the jolts out before they reach the rack |
| Perimeter | A timber perimeter at the deck edge, with the front length removable | Locates the crate walls and lets the rack in from the front |
| Walls and roof | OSB or plywood panels on timber frames, standing on the deck inside the perimeter and screwed down | Moves with the rack on the isolators, so the crate never hits it |
| Front | A removable panel on toggle clamps or screws | Loading and unloading without dismantling the crate |
| Restraint | Bolt-down to the rack’s transport points, with foam bracing at the top | Stops the rack rocking on its base |
| Floor protection | Hardboard strips under the rack feet or castors | Spreads point loads on the deck |
We build crates for the common data centre and network rack footprints, and for anything else on request. A 42U rack on its shock pallet in a crate stands roughly 2.3 m tall, so we check the height against the trailer, container door or aircraft before we build.
| Rack footprint (W x D) | Heights | Typical contents |
|---|---|---|
| 600 x 1000 mm | 42U, 47U | Network and comms racks |
| 600 x 1200 mm | 42U, 47U | Server racks |
| 800 x 1000 mm | 42U, 47U | Network racks with cable management |
| 800 x 1200 mm | 42U, 47U | Server and high-density racks |
| Other sizes | To order | Enclosures, switchgear, UPS and battery cabinets |
An empty rack mainly needs a strong base and protection from knocks. A populated rack carrying servers, drives and switches is a different job: it can weigh several times as much, its centre of gravity is higher, and what is inside is far more sensitive. We size the isolators for the weight as shipped, so tell us whether the rack travels loaded, and roughly how full.
A shock pallet alone, or a light crate for site deliveries where the rack is unloaded by tail-lift.
A full crate with moisture protection, built to stack and to suit the container door height.
Lighter plywood panels to keep the chargeable weight down, sized to the aircraft pallet.
Screwed panels and captive fixings so the crate comes back flat and goes out again.
For the background on isolation, read what is a shock pallet and when do you need one?
APS Packaging Ltd
Designs our shock pallet and crate specifications, from the isolator count to the bolt pattern, and wrote our guides on shock protection and ISPM 15.
Sales, APS Packaging Ltd
Your first contact for a quote. Send David the weight, footprint and route and he will come back with a design and a firm date.
The isolated base on its own, for road delivery or items that are unwrapped on arrival.
How isolation works and how a shock pallet is sized.
Crates built for sea and air freight, heat treated and stamped FC0542.
What the mark means and which countries require it.
Bolt the rack to a shock pallet sized for its weight as shipped, brace it at the top so it cannot rock, and for anything beyond a short road journey put it in a crate that stands on the isolated deck. Our server rack crates are built this way.
Yes, provided the isolators are sized for the loaded weight. Tell us what the rack weighs with its equipment fitted and we will design the base for that load.
A 42U rack is about 2 m tall. On a shock pallet and inside a crate it comes to roughly 2.3 m, which we check against the vehicle, container or aircraft before we build.
Yes. We build returnable crates with screwed panels and captive fixings so they can be taken apart, sent back flat and used again.
If they contain solid timber and are going abroad, yes. Our export crates are built from heat-treated timber and stamped under our own registration, FC0542.
Tell us what you need, with sizes, weight and quantity if you have them, and we will come back with a design, a price and a date.
Prefer to talk? Call 01237 423772 or email sales@apspackaging.co.uk, Monday to Friday.
Send us the rack size, weight as shipped and route and we will design the crate.
Email our Sales Team : sales@apspackaging.co.uk
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