What Are the Principles for Selecting Cargo Packaging Materials?

Cargo packaging is no longer just about aesthetics or brand image, but a key factor that directly affects the efficiency, cost and safety of international logistics. According to statistics, cargo damage caused by improper packaging accounts for 37% of the reasons for cross-border e-commerce returns, and the requirements for environmental protection of packaging in markets such as the European Union and the United States are becoming increasingly stringent. Violators may face fines of up to 10% of the value of the goods.

From fragile goods to electronic products getting damp, from salt spray corrosion in shipping to air pressure deformation, incorrect packaging may cause companies to lose more than 20% of their profits. How to choose packaging materials scientifically? How to balance cost, protection and compliance?

Whether you are transporting by air, sea or land, choosing the right packaging materials is crucial to protecting goods, reducing costs, meeting regulatory requirements and ensuring smooth cross-border transportation. As a service provider who has been deeply involved in international logistics for many years, Chinadivision will start from the pain points of the industry, analyze the core principles of packaging material selection, and provide feasible solutions.

Core principles for selecting packaging materials

1. Safety first: shockproof, moisture-proof, and squeeze-proof

The primary task of packaging materials is to protect goods from damage during transportation and storage. Select materials with sufficient strength and durability to ensure that the goods can withstand external impact, squeeze and vibration.

Fragile items: Use bubble film, foam plastic or pearl cotton and other cushioning materials for wrapping.

Electronic products: Use anti-static bags and foam plastics for packaging to prevent static damage.

Heavy goods: It is recommended to use a combination of steel side boxes and moisture-proof film.

Buffer design: Fragile items need to use EPE foam (40% increase in shock resistance) or air column bags (30% reduction in unit cost) (such as foam, air column bags);

Environmental protection: For sea freight, moisture-proof corrugated boxes are preferred (moisture-proof coating can reduce the risk of humidity damage by 90%);

Stacking test: The load-bearing capacity of the carton must meet the "cargo weight × 1.5 times" standard to avoid collapse during transportation;

Fixation measures: Heavy goods need to be fixed with wooden pallets + straps to prevent sliding.

2. Cost control: avoid excessive packaging and material waste

On the premise of meeting the protective requirements, choose cost-effective packaging materials. Avoid excessive packaging while ensuring the economy of the materials.

Basic protective layer: For ordinary goods, corrugated boxes can be selected, which are low in cost and can meet basic protection needs.

Enhanced protective layer: For high-value or fragile goods, cushioning materials such as bubble film or pearl cotton can be appropriately added.

Lightweight design: Reduce material usage by optimizing the packaging structure and reduce air freight volume weight costs;

Space optimization: Use AI intelligent packing system to increase the loading rate to 92%, saving 20% ​​of sea freight container costs;

Economical materials: Low-value goods use degradable kraft paper bags (cost is 50% lower than plastic packaging).

3. Compliance guarantee: meet the safety standards of the destination country

EU IPPC standard: wooden boxes must be stamped with fumigation marks, otherwise they may be detained by customs;

US ASTM standard: children's toy packaging must pass the drop test to avoid sharp corners;

Japanese JIS standard: food packaging must pass microbial testing to ensure non-toxic and harmless.

Choose appropriate packaging materials according to the nature of the goods and transportation requirements.

For example:

Liquid goods: choose pressure-resistant and leak-proof plastic or metal barrels.

Refrigerated goods: use packaging materials with good thermal insulation properties.

4. Environmental protection principle: a pass for global green logistics

With the improvement of environmental awareness, it is becoming more and more important to choose recyclable, degradable or environmentally friendly packaging materials.

Honeycomb paperboard: a new type of environmentally friendly material with light weight and high strength, suitable for packaging large and flat goods.

Degradable materials: such as biodegradable plastics, which can reduce the impact on the environment.

EU compliance program: PLA bio-based plastic packaging (certified as compostable according to EN 13432);

Circular economy practice: reusable containers (single-cycle cost is 60% lower than disposable packaging);

Policy dividends: using materials recommended by China's "Green Transformation of Express Packaging" can receive a subsidy of up to 50,000 yuan from local governments.

Common packaging material types and applicable scenarios

Cartons (corrugated paper)

Low cost, recyclable, easy to process, suitable for small and light items, electronic products, clothing and other non-fragile items, but its moisture resistance is poor and its load-bearing capacity is limited (>30kg needs to be reinforced)

Plastic boxes (PP/PE)

Waterproof, moisture-proof, and impact-resistant, suitable for food, chemicals, precision instruments and other goods that need to be moisture-proof, but its cost is high and there is great environmental controversy

Wooden boxes

Strong load-bearing capacity and high durability, suitable for high-value or heavy goods such as machinery and equipment, large equipment, and artworks, requiring fumigation (high cost and long time)

Foam filler

Good cushioning and lightweight, suitable for fragile items (glass, ceramics), precision instruments, can only be used once, will generate environmental pressure

Air column bag/inflatable bag

Strong customization, significant shock absorption effect, suitable for electronic products, alcohol, cosmetics and other goods that require high cushioning protection, need to be equipped with inflatable equipment

Environmentally friendly materials

Degradable, meet ESG requirements, suitable for fashion brands, organic food and other environmentally friendly goods, but its cost is high and its load-bearing capacity is limited

Common questions about packaging materials

The goods are fragile (such as glass products), what kind of packaging should be used?

It is recommended to use the combination of "air column bag + corrugated box". Air column bags can provide 360° cushioning protection and can be customized according to the shape of the goods; the outer layer uses a five-layer corrugated box to enhance pressure resistance. Chinadivision provides customized air column bag services, which can reduce the breakage rate by 30%.

Sea freight has high requirements for moisture resistance, how to choose materials?

Recommended "plastic box + desiccant" solution. Plastic boxes can completely isolate moisture, and desiccant can absorb internal moisture. For high-value goods, aluminum foil bags can be used in layers to enhance moisture resistance.

What if the customer requires the use of degradable materials, but the cost is too high?

A "layered packaging" strategy can be adopted - the outer layer uses environmentally friendly kraft paper boxes (low cost) and the inner layer uses degradable bubble film (only covers vulnerable parts). Chinadivision can provide environmentally friendly material cost optimization solutions, reducing expenses by an average of 15%.

How to package dangerous goods (such as lithium batteries) in compliance?

Outer UN certified steel box (fireproof and explosion-proof) + inner anti-static pearl cotton; diamond-shaped dangerous goods logo (size ≥10cm×10cm) is attached to the outside.

Support from Chinadivision warehousing and packaging service providers

As an international logistics service provider, Chinadivision provides the following services:

Material customization: Customize packaging materials according to the characteristics of the goods, such as anti-static boxes, constant temperature boxes, etc.;

Compliance testing: Provide EU IPPC, US ASTM and other standard testing services;

Intelligent optimization: Optimize packaging structure through AI algorithms to reduce material costs;

Environmental certification: Provide FSC certification and degradable material supply chain services.

Choosing the right packaging materials for your cargo is a complex and important part of international logistics. By understanding cargo characteristics, transportation methods, regulatory requirements, and cost factors, companies can protect their cargo and optimize supply chain performance. Logistics service providers like Chinadivision specialize in custom warehousing and distribution packaging solutions to meet these challenges. Our expertise ensures your cargo is properly packaged, efficiently transported, and meets global standards, helping you avoid costly delays and damage while achieving sustainable development goals.

For customized advice and professional packaging services for your international logistics needs, contact Chinadivision today to ensure your cargo is safely transported from origin to destination.