As an exporter, your business depends on the safe transportation of products to the end customer. If your goods are damaged during the shipping process, you could ultimately be responsible for the cost of refunding the customer and arranging the return shipment of the damaged items. The customer may also opt to reorder from a competitor, leave a negative review and tell others about their experience; impacting your reputation and ability to attract new customers.

The best way to protect your cargo from damage is ensuring it is packed securely and to the standards required for specific product types. In many cases, this will require the assistance of a professional logistics company that specialises in export packing and case making, and which knows the bespoke packing requirements for all types of cargo.

What is Export Packing?

In simple terms, export packing is adding a further outer protective barrier to ensure your goods arrive at their destination in good condition. This can be as simple as providing a custom-made pallet to secure the product, right up to making a fully enclosed bespoke wooden case with the contents enclosed in a foil vacuum bag. Most cargo is handled numerous times during its journey and needs to be protected from the associated hazards, with the majority of damage occurring during the handling process.

The Importance of Export Packing

There are some fundamental reasons why effective packaging is so important for companies that export their goods to overseas markets.

Security

Not only does good-quality export packing protect your cargo from the rigours of multiple handling, it also reduces the chances of pilferage. A well-made packing case completely conceals the contents from prying eyes, is very hard to get into and will deter the opportunist thief.

Protection From the Elements

Depending on the individual customs requirements, there are a range of methods to protect cargo from water and moisture ingress. This ranges from a basic water-resistant lining through to enclosing the cargo in a sealed vacuum bag with desiccant prior to packing in a fully enclosed case, with a waterproof membrane added to the exterior of the case.

Keeping Everything Together

Export packing can be useful when transporting multiple items in a single shipment. With all of your goods packed securely in a small number of large export crates, rather than transported individually, the chance of anything getting lost in transit is minimised. Additional packing material can be used inside the crate to ensure every item remains firmly in place throughout its journey, reducing the risk of physical damage or breakage.

Adherence to Regulations

Depending on the type of cargo you are transporting and the destination country, there may be certain regulations that need to be followed when it comes to packing your goods. The packing experts at Hemisphere Freight Services are fully conversant with the specific requirements of individual countries, and all the timber we use is ISPM 15 / HT 56/30 treated.

What Damage Could Occur?

Export packing is designed to protect cargo from all kinds of damage, but it can broadly be categorised into the following.

Physical Damage

Cargo can suffer physical damage when subject to poor handling, exposure to the elements and unpredictable movement caused by choppy seas or air turbulence. In some cases, it may be the result of poor stowage, whether it’s stacking heavier crates or pallets on top of lighter ones, or the incorrect lashing or securing of cargo. In simple terms, the more robust the export packing the better protected the contents will be.

In addition to robust packaging, we can also provide foam linings, airbags and cushioning. as well as adding tip and tell and shock watch devices to the packing cases which will record if the cargo has been tipped over or has sustained a shock, such as being dropped.

Water and Moisture Damage

Most products are vulnerable to water and moisture damage and whilst, in theory. cargo should not be exposed to the elements during transport, in reality it can happen. The most common issue is cargo being left outside at one or more of the handling facilities it will pass through on its journey.

Depending on the individual customs requirements, there are a range of methods to protect cargo from water and moisture ingress. This ranges from a basic water-resistant lining through to enclosing the cargo in a sealed vacuum bag with desiccant prior to packing in a fully enclosed case with a waterproof membrane added to the exterior of the case.

Experts in Export Packing

To ensure the safe transport of your cargo, it always pays to work with professionals – and this applies as much to export packing as it does to the shipping itself.

At Hemisphere Freight Services, our dedicated export packing and case making team boasts more than 20 years experience in this specialist service. Strategically based close to the Port of Felixstowe, we have the equipment, facilities and expertise to design and manufacture bespoke packing solutions for all cargo types, including gas and oil equipment, artwork, automotive parts, machinery, cars and motorcycles.

Our timber engineers will work closely with you to ensure the packing solution for your cargo is both secure and cost-effective. With our growing fleet of road vehicles and extensive global network of air and sea freight partners, we can also arrange to collect your cargo and arrange onward delivery to any destination worldwide.

For more information on our export packing service, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.