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The log · Port & regional guides · 22 May 2026 · By Sherif Awad, Owner, GeoMarineHub
Cargo Packing & Palletisation: Best Practices for Export Shipments
How to pack, palletise, secure and label export cargo to cut damage, claims and demurrage — pallet types, shrink-wrap, strapping, dunnage, ISPM 15 and container loading.
Cargo Packing & Palletisation: Best Practices for Export Shipments
How to pack, palletise, secure and label export cargo to cutdamage, claims and demurrage — pallet types, shrink-wrap,strapping, dunnage, ISPM 15 and container loading.
Geomarine Freight Team
Good packing is the cheapest insurance you can buy. Most cargo damage, rejected deliveries and surprise costs do not come from the ocean leg itself — they come from weak boxes, badly built pallets and loads that shift inside the container. Get the packing right and you protect both your goods and your schedule. Below is a practical guide for anyone preparing export cargo, whether you ship your cargo with Geomarine or manage your own logistics.
Export packing starts with the right box
Export cargo travels further, is handled more times, and sits in more humid conditions than domestic freight. Use double-wall corrugated cartons for heavier items, moisture-resistant liners for sea freight, and fill all void space so contents cannot move. Edge protectors and internal bracing keep products off the carton walls, which is where crush damage usually happens. For high-value or fragile goods, consider crating — and always confirm your cargo insurance basics match the packing standard, since underwriters can reject claims for inadequate packing.
Pallet types: standard vs euro
Two pallet footprints dominate global trade. The standard (ISO/GMA) pallet measures 1200 x 1000 mm and suits most ocean containers. The euro pallet measures 1200 x 800 mm and is the norm across European supply chains. Choosing the wrong size wastes container space and creates overhang, which is a leading cause of edge crushing. Plastic pallets avoid wood-treatment rules entirely; wooden pallets are cheaper but must meet phytosanitary requirements (see ISPM 15 below).
Stacking and weight distribution
Build a stable load, not just a tall one. Heavier cartons go on the bottom, lighter on top, with boxes aligned in a column or interlocked brick pattern. Column stacking carries more vertical load; brick stacking adds lateral stability. Keep cargo within the pallet footprint — no overhang — and distribute weight evenly so no single corner is overloaded. An unbalanced pallet tips during forklift handling long before it reaches the ship.
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