How thick should the plywood be?

Plywood thickness depends on the item’s weight, the crate size, and how rough the shipping conditions may be. Half-inch plywood is common for many small- and medium-size crates, while heavier or larger shipments may require thicker plywood.

The frame design matters just as much as plywood thickness. Properly spaced framing helps prevent panels from flexing, breaking, or allowing the load to shift.