Packaging Requirements

As the shipper, you are responsible for packaging that protects your goods through the entire journey. Every lift, every stack and every kilometre, by sea, road, air or rail.

Requirements per transport mode

Your Responsibility in Short

These five points apply to every shipment you book with CargoDesk, whatever the goods and whatever the transport mode.

Whole Journey

Pack for the entire transport chain, not just the first truck.

Fit for the Goods

Pallets, crates and securing that match weight, size and fragility.

ISPM 15

Wooden packaging leaving the EU must be treated and stamped.

No Inspection

CargoDesk does not inspect, test or approve your packaging.

Your Account

Costs caused by unsuitable packaging are charged to you.

Your Goods Are Handled More Often Than You Think

A single shipment usually passes through several hands and several types of equipment. Packaging that survives the first forklift at your warehouse may not survive the fifth.

at your site

Hub or CFS

cross-docking and consolidation

Main Transport

ship, truck, aircraft or train

Transhipment

port, airport or terminal

Unloading

deconsolidation and sorting

Final Delivery

forklift, pallet jack or tail-lift

What Suitable Packaging Means

These requirements apply to every shipment, whatever the transport mode.

Strong enough for the weight. The packaging carries the full weight of the goods, including when other goods are stacked on top, unless clearly marked as non-stackable.
The right base. The pallet or skid suits the size and weight of the goods. Goods do not overhang the pallet, and long or heavy items get a reinforced or purpose-built base.
Liftable. A forklift or pallet jack can pick the unit up safely, with the centre of gravity near the middle. Mark the lifting points if they are not obvious.
Fixed to the base. Goods are strapped or bolted to the pallet. Stretch film keeps things together, but does not secure them.
Strong enough to be secured. During transport your goods are lashed, strapped, blocked or braced in the truck, container, wagon or aircraft. The pallet or crate must be strong and stable enough to take the tension of straps and lashings, and stay firmly in place during braking, cornering, rolling and shunting in every direction. A pallet that breaks, bends or tips when it is secured cannot be transported safely.
Protected against the environment. Moisture, condensation, temperature changes and dust, especially on longer sea or rail transits.
Clearly marked. Handling symbols (fragile, this way up, do not stack) following ISO 780, plus correct weight and consignee labels.
Correctly declared. Weights, dimensions and number of pieces in your booking match the packed goods.

Requirements Per Transport Mode

Each mode puts different forces on your goods. If your shipment combines modes, pack for the most demanding one.

Sea

Weeks of rolling and pitching, stacking in containers, and large temperature swings that cause condensation. With LCL (groupage) your goods are handled at a container freight station and loaded next to other shippers' cargo, so they must withstand extra handling and weight from above.

Pack for continuous movement: goods must not shift inside the packaging.
Use moisture protection (VCI film, desiccants) for metal, wood and electronics.
For full containers you load yourself: block, brace and lash the cargo inside the container.
Your goods must be packed so they can be seafastened: lashed and blocked so they cannot shift, slide or tip when the ship rolls and pitches. Pallets and crates need solid, undamaged bearers and edges that lashings can be applied against without crushing the packaging.
Even with a full container, your goods may be unloaded and reloaded along the way: at a destination warehouse or cross-dock, for onward transport by truck, or during a customs inspection. Pack for handling outside the container, not just for the container itself.
Declare the correct gross weight. The verified gross mass (VGM) of every container is mandatory.

Main references: CTU Code, SOLAS VGM, IMDG Code for dangerous goods.

Road

Hard braking, sharp turns and road vibration. Loads must withstand forces of up to 0.8 g forwards and 0.5 g sideways and backwards (EN 12195-1). Final delivery often uses a tail-lift or pallet jack at a site without a loading dock.

The pallet must hold its shape when lifted from one side and put down on uneven ground.
The carrier secures the load with straps, anti-slip mats and blocking. Your packaging must withstand strap tension without collapsing, and the goods must be fixed to the pallet so the unit moves as one piece.
Can this unit be unloaded without a dock or forklift? If not, tell us in advance.
In the United States and Canada, trucking companies can refuse freight that is not properly packed, or limit their liability for it.

Main references: EN 12195-1, European guidelines on cargo securing, VDI 2700, ADR for dangerous goods, NMFC for US trucking.

Air

A lot of handling in a short time, loading onto aircraft pallets and containers (ULDs), pressure and temperature changes, and security screening.

Packaging must allow security screening. Very dense or metal-wrapped packaging may need to be opened.
Keep within the size, weight and floor-load limits of the aircraft. Ask us about heavy or oversized pieces.
Pieces are strapped and netted onto aircraft pallets (ULDs). Packaging must be strong enough to be restrained this way and stay stable under the forces of take-off, landing and turbulence.
Insulated glass (double or triple glazing) can be damaged by the lower air pressure in the aircraft hold. Check with the manufacturer whether pressure-equalisation tubes are needed before booking air freight.
Seal liquids and powders against leakage caused by pressure changes.

Main references: IATA Cargo Handling Manual, IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (based on ICAO Technical Instructions).

Rail

Strong impacts along the length of the train during shunting and coupling, long transit times and, on intercontinental routes, big climate differences along the way.

Secure goods especially well lengthwise, against both forward and backward impacts.
Goods are blocked and lashed in the wagon or container. Pallets and crates must be rigid enough to be braced firmly without breaking under repeated impacts.
Protect against condensation and temperature swings on long routes.
Container loading follows the same rules as sea freight.

Main references: UIC Loading Guidelines, CTU Code, RID for dangerous goods.

Goods That Need Extra Attention

Some goods fail more easily than others. Not sure whether your packaging is sufficient? Ask your packaging supplier: they know the standards for your product.

Windows, doors, glass and panels

Transport glass and framed panels standing on their edge, in a frame or crate built for them (A-frame or L-frame), never lying flat on a standard pallet. Fill gaps so panels cannot move, protect corners and edges, and make sure the base is stiff enough to carry the full length without bending when lifted. Insulated glass (double or triple glazing) can bow, crack or lose its edge seal through air pressure changes during air freight or on routes over high mountain passes. If this applies to your shipment, ask your window or glass manufacturer whether the units need pressure-equalisation tubes (capillary or breather tubes), and follow their instructions for sealing them at the destination.

Long items

Anything longer than a standard pallet needs a base that runs the full length, with enough bearers to prevent sagging. Mark the lifting points.

Heavy items and machinery

Bolt machines to a skid or crate base, drain fluids where required, and mark the centre of gravity and lifting points. Heavy crates should be built to a recognised export packaging standard, such as the HPE guidelines.

Mixed or loose cartons

Stack heavy cartons at the bottom, keep the stack within the pallet's footprint, add corner boards and strap the stack to the pallet. Cartons must be strong enough to carry the weight above them.

Liquids, chemicals and dangerous goods

Dangerous goods must be packed, marked and declared according to the rules for each mode (IMDG, ADR, IATA DGR, RID). Always tell us before booking.

Temperature or moisture-sensitive goods

Mention this in your booking. Standard transport is not temperature-controlled, and containers can get very hot or build up condensation.

What CargoDesk Does, and What It Doesn't

What we do

We arrange your transport through carriers, terminals, warehouses and other service providers, and coordinate the shipment from pick-up to delivery. If we or a partner notice a problem with your packaging, we will tell you where possible.

What we don't do

We do not inspect, test, certify or approve packaging. Accepting a quote or booking, or collecting your goods, does not mean the packaging is suitable. We are not experts on your products.

If packaging is not suitable

A carrier or warehouse can refuse to load, handle or deliver the goods.
Extra costs such as repacking, waiting time, storage, a second delivery attempt or return transport are charged to you.
Transport laws and conventions (such as the Hague-Visby Rules, CMR, the Montreal Convention and CIM) generally exclude carrier liability for damage caused by insufficient packaging.
Cargo insurance policies usually exclude this type of damage too. Check your own policy.

Our Terms

All our services are subject to our General Terms and Conditions, which include the Dutch Forwarding Conditions 2018. The most relevant articles for packaging are:

Article 9.1: the client must deliver the goods in suitable packaging.
Article 10.3: the forwarder is not an expert with respect to the goods.
Article 11: services are performed at the client's expense and risk, and the client is liable for damage caused by not meeting its obligations.

Standards and Guidelines

For the full technical details, these are the most widely used references. Some are free to consult, others must be purchased.

Standard	What it covers	Published by	Modes
CTU Code	Packing and securing cargo in containers, trailers and wagons	IMO, ILO and UNECE	Sea, road, rail
ISPM 15	Treatment and marking of wooden packaging	IPPC (FAO)	All
ISO 780	Handling symbols on packages	ISO	All
HPE Packaging Guidelines	Industrial and export packaging: crates, cases, skids	HPE e.V. (Germany)	All
ISTA procedures / ASTM D4169	Testing whether packaging withstands transport	ISTA / ASTM International	All
Incoterms 2020 (A8)	Seller's duty to package goods suitably for transport	ICC	All
EN 12195-1	Load securing on road vehicles	CEN	Road
NMFC	Packaging rules for trucking in the United States	NMFTA	Road (US)
IATA Cargo Handling Manual / DGR	Air cargo handling and dangerous goods	IATA	Air
UIC Loading Guidelines	Loading and securing goods on rail wagons	UIC	Rail
IMDG / ADR / RID	Dangerous goods by sea, road and rail	IMO, UNECE, OTIF	Sea, road, rail

This page is general guidance and does not replace these standards or the advice of a packaging specialist.

Questions Before You Book?

Shipping something unusual, heavy, long or fragile? Contact us before you accept the quote, so we can check the requirements of the carriers involved.

Contact CargoDesk