What are the packaging requirements for international air cargo?

 1. Wooden Case Packaging

Wooden cases fall into two categories: solid wood crates and plywood crates. The wooden packages must be clean, dry, free of borers, rot, severe cracks and damage. They shall reliably withstand a static pressure of 300kg and avoid shaking or deformation under a dynamic pressure of 200kg.

 2. Carton Packaging

Cartons are the most common packaging method for international air freight. The paper material must be of good quality, tough, sturdy, lightweight and durable, and able to withstand specified impact force. Such packaging can prevent extrusion and collision and effectively protect commodities.

 3. Gunny Sack Packaging

Gunny sacks are commonly used packaging materials for international air cargo, including coarse linen and fine linen. They feature high tensile strength and tear resistance, are soft and wear-resistant, and can prevent damage and deformation caused by friction and collision.

 4. Plastic Packaging

Plastic packaging is divided into flexible plastic packaging and rigid plastic packaging. Plastic boasts good insulation, heat insulation, waterproof, moisture-proof and chemical stability. Plastic bags must be thick and tough to resist impact and extrusion from the contents inside.

 5. Foam Plastic Packaging

Foam plastic packaging is lightweight, with excellent heat insulation and good chemical stability. However, it has low tensile strength and poor impact resistance and is prone to damage. In international air transport, foam plastic packaging is generally used for fragile items such as glass, ceramics, porcelain and precision instruments.

 6. Metal Drum Packaging

Metal drums are usually made of aluminium or iron. They are pressure-resistant, wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant and leak-proof, offering reliable protection for contents. Metal drums are mainly used for liquid products such as alcohol, oils and milk.

 7. Cloth Bag Packaging

Cloth bags are made of cotton, linen or chemical fibres. They are soft, lightweight and breathable, suitable for solid powdery goods. In international air freight, cloth bags are mainly used for powdered cargo such as grain and feed.

 8. Container Shipment

Container shipment means loading a certain number of packaged goods or bulk cargo into a container and sealing the container’s opening with a seal. Containers are generally used for large or bulk shipments. As enclosed vessels, containers provide much stronger protection than ordinary packaging boxes and are less vulnerable to damage or theft, so they are widely adopted in air freight. Note that containers have size and weight limits. Different airlines or airports impose varying requirements, so relevant rules must be checked and followed in advance.

 9. Bulk Cargo Shipment

Bulk cargo refers to goods with no packaging or simple packaging, consisting of a few or dozens of pieces. Such cargo accounts for a considerable proportion in international air transport, such as ore, coal and grain. Bulk goods are normally loaded directly into containers or aircraft holds. Attention should be paid to risks like scattering and mixing during transit. Appropriate binding and fixing measures must be taken to guarantee safe shipment. Meanwhile, the weight and volume of cargo must comply with the regulations of airlines and airports.

 10. Dangerous Goods Shipment

Dangerous goods refer to flammable, explosive items, hazardous chemicals and other hazardous articles. Extra safety precautions are required for these goods during transportation, as accidents may pose serious threats to life and property. Therefore, air shipment of dangerous goods must comply with relevant rules and procedures covering classification, marking, packaging and carriage. Detailed information of dangerous goods, transport permits and other related documents shall be submitted to airlines or airports.