When importing or exporting goods internationally, it is crucial to use strong, reliable packaging to ensure the products are transported safely and to reduce the risk of damage.
The type and quality of this packaging are vital but often overlooked aspects. Since products come in various shapes, sizes, and degrees of fragility, they require appropriately sized pallets, crates, or other forms of packaging.
Additionally, these transport packages are typically loaded into shipping containers with cargo of different sizes and shapes. If not properly secured, these items can easily sustain damage as they are moved from point A to B.
Common Types Of Export Packaging
Cardboard Boxes & Cartons
There are 3 different carton packaging:
Corrugated Carton
Made from corrugated fiberboard, featuring a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards. It’s widely used to protect goods due to its durability, lightness, recyclability and cheap prices. Sufficient for everyday shipping needs especially for lighter or less fragile items like books, clothing, household goods.
Double-Walled Corrugated Carton
As the name suggest double-walled corrugated carton includes two layers of fluted corrugated sheets, each layer separated by a linerboard, plus an outer and inner linerboard. This creates a thicker, more robust structure that are better suited for heavier items or products that require additional protection. Examples include electronics, appliances, industrial parts, and fragile items that need more cushioning and support.
Double Carton
Double carton packing specifically involves using two cardboard cartons, one inside the other, to provide enhanced protection for shipped items. The inner carton typically holds the item snugly, possibly with additional padding like bubble wrap or foam inserts. The outer carton, which is larger and often made from stronger corrugated cardboard, acts as a secondary barrier against impacts, compressive forces, and punctures. This method is ideal for shipping fragile or high-value items
Sling Packaging
Sling Packaging is a unique solution for heavy and bulky items, such as concrete or large machinery. This type of packaging uses strong, flexible materials to create a ‘sling’ that securely holds the cargo. It’s designed for easy lifting and transport, especially by cranes or forklifts.
Sling Packaging ensures that heavy items can be moved safely and efficiently, minimizing the risk of damage during transit. Its adaptability makes it ideal for items that are too large or awkwardly shaped for standard packaging methods.
Bagged Cargo
Composed of various flexible materials like woven polypropylene or multi-wall paper, bagged cargo packaging is essential for its versatility, strength, and ease of handling. It’s particularly effective for granular or powdered products like fertilizers, cereals (rice, corn, wheat), seeds, dried fruits, sugar, coconut, coffee and cement.
Steel Drums
Made from high-grade steel, these drums are robust and designed to safely contain and transport liquids, solids, and semi-solids. Steel drums are especially valued for their durability, resistance to corrosion, and their ability to be sealed securely. They are commonly used for shipping chemicals, oils, and dangerous goods, ensuring safety and compliance with international shipping standards.
Wooden Cases
Crafted from sturdy wood, often reinforced with metal components, wooden cases are a traditional choice for shipping heavier and more valuable items. They provide exceptional protection against impacts and environmental conditions, making them ideal for transporting machinery, electronics, and artworks. The natural materials used also make these cases a sustainable packaging option.
Wooden Crates
Constructed from slatted wood, wooden crates are designed for ventilation and easy handling. Their open skeleton structure makes them perfect for transporting items that require air circulation, such as fresh produce or live plants. Durable yet lightweight, these crates are a cost-effective solution for bulk shipping needs and can be easily recycled or repurposed.
Bales
Comprised of compressed and bound materials, bales are utilized for their efficiency in bulk transportation of fibrous products. They are typically wrapped in wire, twine, or netting to maintain their compact shape, enhancing ease of handling and storage. Ideal for agricultural goods like cotton, hay, or wool, bales maximize space and reduce shipping costs due to their stackable nature.
Skids
Skids were the first type of pallets, made with a top deck but no bottom. Comprised from a framework of wooden or plastic beams, they provide a stable base for the stacking and handling of heavy goods. Their simple, durable design facilitates airflow and drainage, making them ideal for the storage and transportation of bulk items. Commonly used in warehousing and freight logistics, skids enhance load stability and are particularly effective for moving large machinery and equipment.
Foil packaging
Crafted from thin layers of aluminum foil, foil packaging is highly valued for its exceptional barrier properties against light, moisture, and air. It’s flexible, yet robust, making it suitable for preserving the freshness and extending the shelf life of perishable goods. Common applications include the packaging of food products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, where maintaining product integrity is crucial.
Palletized Cargo
Constructed from wood, plastic, or metal, pallets serve as a sturdy foundation for assembling, storing, and transporting goods in bulk. Their design enables easy access for forklifts and pallet jacks, enhancing the efficiency of loading and unloading processes. Pallets are indispensable in logistics and warehousing, providing a reusable and durable platform that supports a wide range of merchandise from food items to industrial equipment.
There are six standard pallets that accommodate the various and/or intermodal containers presently used in international commerce. The normal sizes (in inches) of these six standard pallets are:
- 1016 x 1219 mm (40″ x 48″) North America
- 1000 x 1200 mm Europe, Asia
- 1165 x 1165 mm Australia
- 1067 x 1067 mm (42″ x 42″) Worldwide
- 1100 x 1100 mm (43″ x 43″) Asia
- 800 x 1200 mm Europe
TIP: Read more on Shipping Pallets here
Final thoughts
Choosing the right type of packaging is crucial for the safety and integrity of your products. From the traditional strength of wooden crates to the innovative use of sling packaging for bulky items, each method offers unique benefits tailored to different needs.
Selecting the appropriate packaging solution is important to successful global trade, minimizing risks and ensuring that goods arrive in pristine condition.
