Export cargo packaging, stowage and marking

Abstract

Packaging techniques today are becoming increasingly sophisticated to meet a market which is seeking continuous improvements in the following areas:

• (1) Improved standards to reduce risk of damage and pilferage. This in turn encourages competitive cargo insurance premiums and maintains good relations with the importer. Cargo received in a damaged condition seriously impairs the exporter’s product overseas market prospects as it loses goodwill with the importer. Moreover, the exporter is ultimately obliged to replace the damaged goods which can be a costly task.

• (2) A better utilization of transport capacity to lower distribution cost. This is particularly relevant to the ISO container use when ideally suitably sized packaged cargo can be firmly stowed in it with no broken stowage. Full advantage should be taken of high-capacity containers for volume cargoes, and use made of stowage plan. This reduces risk of damage, and ensures all container capacity is utilized subject to the total weight limitations not being exceeded. Moreover, it reduces need to use dunnage and by attaining higher utilization/load factor of container capacity lowers the freight cost of each unit distributed.

• (3) Improved cargo handling. Cargo packaging in design, namely dimension and configuration, should facilitate the most economical method of handling. This is particularly relevant to awkward shaped cargo. Moreover, it applies from the time the goods are packaged which may be in the factory until it reaches the importer’s warehouse/distribution centre. Mechanical cargo handling equipment is now in extensive use to reduce labour cost and speed up cargo handling.

• (4) Packaging costs amongst various manufacturers are now very competitive. The shipper is very conscious of containing packing costs and the exporter is well advised to engage a specialist packaging company to obtain professional advice and gain the best results.