Most cabinet damage is decided before the container leaves: carton spec, edge protection, moisture barrier and loading. Five-layer corrugated, 15–20 mm foam at edges, a PE barrier on humid routes and a braced load get most projects to a 0.5–1% damage rate. Fixing the spec at the factory is cheaper than fixing the damage on site.
Five-layer double-wall corrugated is the baseline for panels and doors.
15–20 mm foam at edges and corners prevents most handling damage.
Humid routes need a PE barrier and dry packing conditions.
ISPM 15 applies to timber packaging, not processed board.
0.5–1% damage is achievable; above 2% points to a spec problem.
1. Why packaging decides damage rate
A container is handled at least six times between factory and site: loading, port, transhipment, discharge, customs and delivery. Each is an impact. Packaging is the only thing between those impacts and the cabinet. A carton that is adequate for a domestic move is not adequate for a 30-day sea voyage with transhipment, which is why the spec should be written for the worst leg, not the average.
2. Carton and board spec
| Parámetro | Días Minimos | Mejor |
|---|---|---|
| tablero de cartón | 5-layer double wall | 5-layer with moisture coating |
| Edge foam | 10 mm | 15 – 20 mm |
| Tableros de esquina | sobre palets | On every stack |
| Barrera de humedad | On humid routes | Standard on all sea freight |
| desecante | Donde se especifique | Standard on long routes |
The upgrade from minimum to better is usually a small fraction of the cabinet cost and a large fraction of the damage reduction.
3. Edge and corner protection
The edge is where damage starts. A door or panel dropped on a corner chips the finish; a stack that shifts in heavy weather scuffs the face. Foam at edges, corner boards on the stack and a braced load address the three points where most damage occurs. Inspect a sample pack before the full run, not after.
4. Moisture and humidity
Moisture damage is slower and less visible than impact damage. Condensation inside a sealed carton, board packed warm, or a long humid route can produce mould or swelling that only appears on site. Use a PE barrier, desiccant where needed, and let board cool before packing. On Gulf and Southeast Asian routes this is not optional.
5. Carga de contenedores
Floor-loaded or palletised both work if the load is braced. The failure mode is a load that looks tight at the door and shifts at sea. Ask for loading photos and a loading plan. For flat pack, the cartons are smaller but there are more of them, so the brace pattern matters more, not less.
6. Labelling and packing list
Label every carton with room, elevation, unit number and a QR or barcode linked to the packing list. A load that arrives sorted saves more site time than a slightly cheaper freight rate. The packing list should match the install drawing order, so the installer can work carton by carton without searching.
7. Inspección antes de la carga
El inspección de pre-envío should check pack integrity and count, not just product quality. Photograph the pack, the label and the loading. Damage found before loading is a fix; damage found at destination is a claim.
8. Damage claims
Photograph the carton before opening, the damage after opening, and the container stow. Notify the forwarder and insurer within the policy window. A claim without photos is a negotiation, and a claim filed late is often refused. Keep the evidence pack with the shipping documents.
9. Una lista de verificación antes de comprometerse.
Antes de firmar, confirme seis cosas: el grado de la placa, el modelo de hardware, el sistema de acabado, el estándar de embalaje, el alcance de la inspección y el calendario de pagos. Cada una debe estar por escrito, no en una llamada. lista de verificación de presupuesto convierte los seis en una comparación de una página.
10. Errores comunes
El error más común es comparar un precio de fábrica con un costo de entrega. El segundo es dejar la inspección fuera del presupuesto. El tercero es pagar el saldo antes de que se apruebe la inspección. Cada uno se puede evitar con un alcance escrito y un inspección de pre-envío.
Preguntas frecuentes
What carton spec should I require?
Five-layer double-wall corrugated for cabinet panels and doors, with a moisture barrier on humid routes. Single-wall is not enough for a 30-day sea voyage with transhipment.
How much edge protection is needed?
15–20 mm foam or honeycomb at corners and edges, plus corner boards on pallets. The edge is where most damage starts, because it takes the first impact in handling.
Is ISPM 15 required?
It applies to solid wood packaging and dunnage, not to processed board. If the crate or pallet uses timber, it needs the ISPM 15 mark. Confirm before packing.
How do I reduce moisture damage?
Use a PE barrier, desiccant where needed, and avoid packing board while it is still warm from production. Condensation inside a sealed carton is a common cause of mould on long routes.
What damage rate is normal?
0.5–1% of units is a realistic target on a well-packed container. Above 2% usually points to a carton spec problem, not handling.
How do I claim for damage?
Photograph the carton before opening, the damage after opening, and the container stow. Notify the forwarder and insurer within the policy window. A claim without photos is a negotiation.
