Shipping Steel Coils

Shipping Your Steel Coils

Preparing steel coils for transport isn’t something to rush. Coils are high-value, heavy, and unforgiving if they’re not packed and secured properly. Taking the right steps at the start helps prevent delays, damage, and costly claims down the road.

1. Protect Against Moisture

Steel is highly susceptible to rust. Even a short exposure to rain or condensation can damage the surface. Use moisture-resistant wrapping like plastic sheeting, VCI paper (vapor corrosion inhibitor), or shrink wrap. If the coils are traveling on open-deck trailers, tarping is non-negotiable.

2. Use Strong Banding and Wrapping

Steel coils should be tightly strapped with steel or heavy-duty polyester banding. Banding prevents the coil from unrolling or shifting during handling. Always double-check that bands are secure before loading.

3. Choose the Right Orientation

There are multiple ways to position your steel coils for shipping, which include:

• Eye to the Sky: Coils are placed standing up with the “eye” (the hollow center) facing upward. Works well for smaller coils or those shipped in vans.

• Eye to the Side: The coil rests on its side, with the eye facing out horizontally. Common for large coils on flatbeds, where securement is easier.

• Eye to the End: Less common, but sometimes used depending on equipment and coil size.

The right orientation will depend on coil size, weight, and available equipment.

4. Palletizing or Cradling

Small coils can be palletized, but industrial-sized coils need coil cradles, bunks, or racks to prevent rolling. These supports are designed to keep the coil stable while still allowing tie-downs to secure it.

5. Clear Labeling and Documentation

Each coil should be clearly marked with weight, dimensions, and handling instructions. Bills of lading should also specify whether the coil was loaded “eye to sky” or “eye to side,” and list the type of packaging used. This information helps carriers plan securement properly.

Safety Regulations and Securement Requirements

Steel coils are one of the most heavily regulated types of freight in the United States. Due to their density and weight, even a minor mistake in securement can create life-threatening situations on the road. Both shippers and carriers must follow FMCSA cargo securement rules under 49 CFR Part 393.

1. Coil Securement Basics

Knowing the basics of securing steel coils is foundational to transportation safety. Coils must be placed in cradles, bunks, or racks to stop them from rolling. Wooden or rubber dunnage should be used to provide friction and cushioning. Utilizing wedges, blocks, or chocks, as needed, promotes extra stability.

2. Tie-Down Requirements

The number and type of tie-downs depend on the coil’s size and orientation:

• Eye to the Side: Requires at least three chains or straps over the coil, with additional cross-ties to prevent side-to-side shifting.

• Eye to the Sky: Requires tie-downs across the top and often through the eye for maximum control.

• Weight-Based Rules: FMCSA requires one tie-down for every 10 feet of load length, with a minimum of two for any single coil.

Chains are preferred over straps for very heavy coils because they provide higher working load limits.

3. Load Distribution

Drivers and carriers must also ensure that coil placement doesn’t exceed axle weight limits. A single 40,000-pound coil placed incorrectly can cause an axle to exceed its legal limit, triggering fines or requiring reloading.

4. Weather Protection

If coils are transported on open-deck trailers, they must be tarped securely. Tarps should be tight, free of holes, and extend past the coil edges to keep water and road spray out.

5. Inspection and Compliance

FMCSA requires drivers to check securement before departure, within the first 50 miles, and at intervals throughout the trip. If tie-downs loosen or equipment shifts, adjustments must be made immediately.