Packing & Packaging

Packing and Packaging

Once an order is finished, it is time to prepare it for shipping. The first step is careful packaging and packing of the products to assure they will get to their destination without damages.

Packaging refers to the way products are put inside an out layer of wrapping material either individually or in sets. Packaging protects the product from damage during shipping and can also be the way products are presented to the final customer.

Many buyers like to reuse and conserve original packing materials as much as possible to avoid waste. Items that are packed individually in sturdy boxes help to minimize breakage and the same boxes can often be reused to send the product to the final customer. If items are not packaged in boxes, some kind of protective layer should be used.

Buyers can request specific packaging for their orders.  These requests will normally be outlined in the purchase order. If special packaging is requested, it should be made clear who is responsible for extra costs that may result.

Packing refers to placing the already packaged items into the master cartons for shipping. Cartons are often loaded and unloaded several times during shipping and can be roughly handled, dropped, or exposed to potentially damaging weather. Items that are not properly protected and rub against each other inside the carton can damage the product's finish or cause fibers to break, in the case of baskets. It is the exporter's responsibility to assure that products are properly packed and to cover the cost of adequate packing materials.

Moisture

A common cause of damage to products is moisture. Products made from wood, leather, textiles, bamboo, grasses and other natural fibers should be completely dry before packing to avoid growth of mold and mildew that can damage products. A desiccant such as silica gel can be used to reduce moisture. Cartons being sent by sea shipment are susceptible to weather and moisture.  They should be sealed carefully and covered with clear plastic protective wrap to protect from mildew and water damage

Packaging Recommendations for Different Kinds of Products

These recommendations are from the SERRV Producer Partner Manual 2007 and indicate how SERRV prefers different kinds of products be packaged. This is one example. Buyers' preferences will vary.

• BASKETS:  Whenever possible, baskets should be fumigated and you must provide us with a copy of your fumigation certificate. Baskets often do not need to be wrapped.  If shipping baskets as part of a container shipment, you need not pack the baskets in cartons but can stack them loosely in the container, with the heaviest baskets at the bottom.
• CERAMICS: Individually wrapped and boxed.  When ordered as a set, please package as a set.
• INEXPENSIVE LIGHT ITEMS: Inexpensive light items such as slide whistles, flutes and brushes should be wrapped and stacked.
• JEWELRY: Please place individually in small plastic bags.
• LEATHER:  Place in plastic bags. Please use a silica drying envelope when possible.
• METALS: Individually wrapped and boxed.  When ordered as a set, please package as a set.  If they cannot be boxed, they should be very well wrapped in plain paper and layered.
• PAINTED AND LACQUERED products:  Individually wrap and box. Please be sure that these products are 100% dry before wrapping to prevent packing materials from sticking to the product.
• PAPER: Place in plastic bags. Please use a silica drying envelope when possible.
• SHELLS: Wrap carefully, place in a plastic bag and then box if possible.
• STONE and GLASS: Individually wrapped and boxed. When ordered as a set, please package as a set.
• TEXTILES: Package in a clear plastic bag. When ordered as a set, please package as a set.
• WOOD: Individually wrap and pack in individual boxes.  Please use a silica drying envelope when possible.