How to Choose a Crating Company in Ontario — 7 Questions to Ask

Choosing the wrong crating company is an expensive mistake. We hear it from new clients all the time — missed deadlines, wrong specs, border rejections, and nobody picking up the phone when something goes wrong.

The crating industry in Ontario has no shortage of suppliers. But there's a significant difference between a company that builds wooden boxes and a company that engineers compliant, accountable packaging solutions for high-value and mission-critical shipments.

Here are the seven questions you should ask before signing with any crating supplier. 1. Are You ISPM-15 Certified — And What's Your Certification Number?

If you ship internationally this is non-negotiable. ISPM-15 certification means the company uses heat-treated lumber stamped with an official IPPC mark — required by over 180 countries for wooden packaging crossing international borders.

Don't just ask if they're certified. Ask for their certification number. A legitimate supplier will give it to you immediately. If they hesitate or can't provide it — walk away.

At Dominion Crate Works our ISPM-15 certification number is CA-01749 · HT.

2. Are You TDG Certified?

Transportation of Dangerous Goods certification is a Canadian federal requirement for companies that pack and ship hazardous materials. Most Ontario crating companies are not TDG certified.

If you work in energy, chemicals, industrial manufacturing, or any sector that involves hazardous goods — TDG certification is essential. Ask upfront. If they're not certified they legally cannot handle your dangerous goods shipments.

3. What Is Your Standard Turnaround Time — And Is It Guaranteed?

Any crating company can tell you their standard turnaround. The question is whether they'll put it in writing and stand behind it.

Ask specifically: what happens if my order isn't ready on time? A company that takes delivery commitments seriously will have a clear answer. A company that shrugs and says "we do our best" is telling you exactly what to expect when things get tight.

At Dominion we guarantee 2-day turnaround on standard builds. If anything threatens that timeline we work nights and weekends to make it right.

4. Will You Review My Current Crating Design Before You Build?

This question separates order-takers from engineering partners. A good crating company doesn't just build what you hand them — they review your spec for structural efficiency, compliance gaps, and cost savings before a single board is cut.

We once identified that a client had been using 2×10 lumber in their crate design for decades when laminated ½" plywood would deliver identical structural performance at significantly lower cost. That review saved them 17.5% per crate. Nobody had ever questioned the design before.

If your crating supplier just takes your order and builds it — you might be paying more than you need to.

5. Can You Build On-Site at Our Facility?

Some equipment simply can't be moved to a crating facility. Oversized machinery, installed systems, and delicate equipment often need to be crated in place.

Ask if the company offers on-site crating and what their coverage area is. Not all suppliers have this capability — and for some shipments it's the only option.

Dominion Crate Works offers on-site crating across all of Southern Ontario — from London to Oshawa, Barrie to St. Catharines.

6. What Standards Do You Build To?

Beyond ISPM-15 there are a range of industry and military standards that define how crating should be designed, built, and documented. These include:

• MIL-STD-2073-1E — military preservation and packing

• MIL-STD-129R — military marking and traceability

• MIL-STD-3010 — performance testing

• ASTM D3951 — commercial packaging

If you work in aerospace, defence, or any regulated industry these standards matter. Ask your supplier which ones they build to — and ask to see documentation.

7. Who Is My Single Point of Contact — And What Happens When Something Goes Wrong?

This is the question most people forget to ask — and the one that matters most when things get complicated.

With many crating suppliers you place an order, it goes into a queue, and you hear from whoever picks up the phone. When something goes wrong there's no clear accountability and a lot of finger pointing.

Ask specifically: who is my contact from quote through delivery? And what is your process when a deadline is at risk?

A company that takes accountability seriously will have a clear answer. A company that doesn't will give you a vague one.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a crating company isn't just a procurement decision — it's a risk management decision. The wrong supplier can cost you a border rejection, a missed project deadline, or a damaged piece of equipment worth far more than the crate itself.

Ask these seven questions before you commit. And if a supplier can't answer them clearly and confidently — keep looking.

At Dominion Crate Works we're happy to answer every one of these questions in detail. Call us at 1-437-836-9134 or email sales@dominioncrateworks.com and let's talk about your next shipment.