International packaging has to survive longer dwell, more handling regimes, humidity and sometimes multiple transport modes. The additions over domestic are moisture and corrosion protection, board specified for extended stack load, and - for timber packaging - compliance with the receiving country's treatment requirements.
What changes when goods leave the country
An international consignment faces the same failure modes as a domestic one plus several more, and it faces them for longer.
- Longer dwell. Days or weeks in transit and in port, rather than hours.
- Humidity and temperature swings. Particularly in sea freight and at ports.
- More handling regimes. Each country, port and operator handles differently.
- Multiple modes. Road to port, sea or air, then road again - each with its own stresses.
- Inspection. Consignments may be opened and repacked by somebody who is not you.
Moisture is the one that catches people out
Board loses compression strength as it absorbs moisture, so a stack that was stable at despatch can collapse after a humid sea leg. Metal components can arrive with surface corrosion even though nothing was dropped.
The responses are barrier films, correctly calculated desiccant, and volatile corrosion inhibitor materials for ferrous and machined parts. These are specified against the journey and dwell time rather than applied by default - see industrial packaging.
Specify board for the whole journey
| Factor | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Dwell time | Board strength degrades over weeks - specify above the static requirement |
| Humidity | Higher grade or a moisture barrier; consider a liner |
| Stack height in a container | Often taller than domestic pallet stacking |
| Handling variability | Corner and edge protection as standard rather than optional |
| Repacking after inspection | A pack that can be reclosed without specialist materials |
What to allow for internationally.
Timber, treatment and the paperwork
If your packaging includes timber - crates, cases, pallets, dunnage - it is subject to the receiving country's phytosanitary requirements, which generally means heat treatment and marking.
Getting this wrong stops consignments at the border, which is far more expensive than the packaging. It is also a common reason to use heavy-duty board or composite cases instead, which avoid the requirement entirely and are frequently lighter for the same protection.
export packing covers crating and the requirements that apply to goods leaving the UK.
Air versus sea changes the specification
- Air freight is shorter, drier and priced aggressively on volumetric weight - so right-sizing matters more and moisture protection matters less. See freight forwarding.
- Sea freight is longer, more humid and priced on container space - so moisture and corrosion protection matter more, and stack load over weeks has to be allowed for.
- Road to Europe sits between the two, with handling similar to domestic but longer dwell.
Labelling and documentation
International consignments are handled by people who may not read English and who are working to their own processes.
- Use standard handling symbols rather than words where possible.
- Mark weight clearly - manual handling limits differ by country.
- Ensure documentation is attached securely and is weather-protected.
- Mark the consignee and reference on more than one face.
A practical sequence
- Establish the mode and the realistic dwell time.
- Specify the outer for stack load over that dwell, in those humidity conditions.
- Add moisture and corrosion protection where the goods warrant it.
- Decide timber versus board or composite, and handle treatment requirements if timber.
- Specify restraint inside, as for any journey.
- Mark and document for handlers who do not share your language.
See export packing and protective packaging.
The short version
- Longer dwell, more humidity and more handling regimes.
- Board loses compression strength as it absorbs moisture.
- Timber packaging carries treatment and marking requirements.
- Sea is harder on packaging than air; air prices harder on volume.
- Mark and document for handlers who do not share your language.
Frequently asked questions
What is different about international packaging?
Longer dwell, more humidity, more handling regimes and sometimes multiple transport modes. Moisture and extended stack load are the main additions over domestic.
Do we need treated timber for export?
If the packaging contains timber, it is generally subject to the receiving country's treatment and marking requirements. Heavy-duty board or composite cases avoid the issue entirely.
Is air or sea harder on packaging?
Sea, generally - longer dwell, more humidity and taller stacking. Air is shorter and drier but prices aggressively on volume.
How much desiccant do we need?
It is calculated from the enclosed volume, the barrier material and the expected journey - not estimated. Tell us the consignment and we will specify it.
Can WSUK handle export packing?
Yes - export packing covers crating and cargo protection, alongside freight forwarding for the movement itself.