© International Trade Centre, International Trade Forum
- Issue 1/2001
Q. What are some of the technical aspects of
packaging?
Physical and chemical protection. Permanent
protection can be provided by treating surfaces with protective
substances such as anti-rust zinc-phosphate-based paint. Products
such as waxes and resins, which are removed when the goods are
unpacked, can provide temporary protection. Anti-corrosive papers,
thin film protection, protective oils and greases, silica gels and
volatile corrosion inhibitors are effective means of controlling
corrosion. Waterproof barriers can be supplemented with
polyethylene or heat-welded fabrics, with or without sachets of
dehydration inside the water-proofed space. Proper ventilation can
also control condensation.
Mechanical protection. Mechanical protection,
provided to control strains during shipment (compression, bending,
torsion, shearing, jolting and vibration) can be supplemented by
space fillers inside the package to prevent the merchandise from
moving within the package. Fragile items must be treated
differently and isolated from the container walls by means of
suspension devices (shock absorbers and damping devices to minimize
vibration).
Protection against theft. Effective protection
against theft demands a series of precautions. Hooping with metal
or even plastic straps prevents entry and also strengthens packages
and improves closure. The contents of the packages should not be
indicated on the outermost package. Goods should be shipped by the
most direct route possible.
Marking. Marking, like packaging, is the
responsibility of the exporter and is carried out at his or her
expense. It is important to note that carriers and insurers are
relieved of liability if marking is defective. The cost of
marketing is to be included in the price quoted. The exporter
should make use of International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) recommendations on marking.
Packing list. On completion of packing and
marketing, a packing list is prepared with the following
particulars for each package: marks, numbers, gross weight in kg,
net weight in kg, dimensions in cm (length, breadth, height),
volume and details of contents.
This list also gives the total number of packages and their
total gross weight and volume, and is an essential document since
it is needed in particular for customs purposes when goods are
exported or imported. It will be used by carriers, cargo handlers,
warehouses and customers.
Pallets. Pallets are used to assemble packages
in a single unit load, thus speeding up handling and simplifying
counting. Plastic stretch or shrink wraps can be used to keep goods
loaded on a pallet together. Made of wood and easily manufactured,
pallets are inexpensive and supplied free with the goods.
Containers. A freight container should be
strong enough to be suitable for repeated use. It should be
specially designed to facilitate the carriage of goods by one or
more modes of transport without intermediate reloading. It should
be fitted with devices permitting ready handling, particularly its
transfer from one mode of transport to another. It should be
designed so as to be easy to fill and to empty. It generally has an
internal volume of one cubic metre (35.3 cubic feet) or more.