Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-01-09 Origin: Site
When exporting goods, enterprises are most concerned about incorrect cargo data, cargo damage, and discrepancies between declared and actual data that may lead to customs detention. Therefore, shippers, warehouses, and freight forwarders must coordinate thoroughly before loading to avoid such issues.
General Guidelines for Mixed Cargo Loading
Avoid loading goods of different shapes and packaging types together as much as possible.
Keep goods that may leak dust, liquid, moisture, or odor away from other cargo. "If mixing is unavoidable, separate them with canvas, plastic sheeting, or other materials," said Cheng Qiwei.
Place lighter goods on top of heavier ones to prevent crushing.
Stack goods with weaker packaging on top of those with stronger packaging.
Store liquid goods and clean goods at the bottom of the container to avoid contaminating other items.
Cover sharp or protruding parts of cargo to prevent damage to other goods in transit.
Professional Container Loading Techniques
On-site container loading operations generally adopt three methods: manual loading entirely, using forklifts to move goods into the container followed by manual stacking, and fully mechanical loading (e.g., palletized goods stacked inside the container by forklifts).
Weight Limit Compliance Under no circumstances should the total weight of cargo exceed the container’s maximum payload capacity, which is calculated by subtracting the container’s tare weight from its gross weight limit. Typically, both gross weight and tare weight are clearly marked on the container door.
Heavy vs. Light Cargo Identification Each container has a fixed unit volume weight. When loading homogeneous cargo, you can determine if it is heavy or light cargo by comparing its density with the container’s unit volume weight. As Cheng Qiwei explained, cargo with a density higher than the container’s unit volume weight is heavy cargo; otherwise, it is light cargo. Clear identification of these two types is crucial for improving loading efficiency.
Load Balance Maintenance Distribute the cargo weight evenly across the container floor. Strictly avoid concentrating the load on one end, as this can cause container tilting or damage during transportation.
Avoid Concentrated Loads When loading heavy goods such as machinery, place wooden pads or cushioning materials on the container floor to distribute the load. The standard safe load-bearing capacity per unit area of the container floor is approximately: 1,330×9.8 N/m² for 20-foot containers and 980×9.8 N/m² for 40-foot containers.
Manual Loading Precautions Pay attention to handling labels on packaging, such as "Do Not Tip," "Keep Flat," or "Stand Upright." Use proper loading tools; never use hand hooks for bundled goods. Stack cargo neatly and tightly inside the container. For goods that are prone to unbundling or have fragile packaging, use cushioning materials or insert plywood between items to prevent shifting during transit.
Palletized Cargo Loading Accurately measure the container’s internal dimensions and the external dimensions of the packaged goods to calculate the maximum number of units that can be loaded. This minimizes unused space and maximizes cargo capacity.
Forklift Loading Operations Forklift loading is subject to restrictions imposed by the machine’s free lift height and mast height. If conditions permit, load two layers of cargo at once, leaving a proper gap between the upper and lower layers. If two-layer loading is not feasible in one go, when stacking the second layer, consider the forklift’s free lift height and the maximum mast lifting height. The mast lifting height should be equal to the height of the first layer minus the free lift height to ensure the second layer can be stacked properly. Generally, a standard 2-ton forklift has a free lift height of about 50 cm. Full-free-lift forklifts, however, are not restricted by mast height (as long as the container’s internal height allows) and can easily stack two layers of cargo. Additionally, place wooden skids under the cargo to facilitate smooth extraction of the forklift forks.
Final Reminders
Avoid shipping unpackaged goods; at a minimum, all cargo should be properly packaged. Do not sacrifice packaging integrity for space savings, as this can lead to cargo damage. Most goods come with standard packaging, but bulky items like boilers and building materials require special attention—they must be securely strapped and fastened to prevent shifting during transit. With careful planning and meticulous execution, container loading can be completed without major issues.
