Goods being exported and imported face a number of risks as they're shipped to their destination countries. The packaging used to contain the goods has to be protective as well, and it has to keep the goods in decent shape in the face of everything from weather to bad handling. While those shipping containers look nice and sturdy as they're stacked so neatly on a freighter, they aren't the only packaging those goods need to make it to their destinations intact.
A Rough Trip
Roughness, jostling, dropping, things being dropped on them – packages that are exported go through some rough travel. That can be unavoidable, such as with air turbulence, or it can be very avoidable, such as with rough handling. You should plan to have your items packaged in a way that the packaging will protect against impacts if the item is tossed into a plane cargo hold, or if a bunch of other boxes and crates smash into your products during turbulence that sends all items flying.
Destructive Weather Phenomena
Goods being shipped via boat will be subject to several weather phenomena, from rough seas to rain to tropical disturbances. Packages need to have good filler that prevents items from moving around; that reduces damage if the packages are jostled and thrown during a storm, for example. If water leaks into the metal shipping containers, the packages have to be as resistant to water intrusion as possible, which means boxes and crates need to be wrapped in plastic, for example. Filler inside packages should be tightly packed or formed to hold the goods stationary, such as with the foam inserts that surround electronics.
Stowaways
Unfortunately, pests can be a real problem as they sneak onboard through goods that weren't inspected carefully. You could have the cleanest product, but if another company wasn't so good about packing, their packages could contain unwanted inhabitants that get out during the journey. You've got to have packaging that is as resistant to pests as possible. That means something that can withstand rats trying to chew through the packaging and bugs trying to burrow into boxes. All edges need to be sealed, and nothing should be loose that could attract more bugs.
The right packaging can protect the goods you're shipping in most circumstances. If you're dealing with multiple damaged shipments and are not sure what packaging will work, contact a company that offers packaging solutions for exports. For more information, contact a company like DTS World Cargo.
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