Bags should be stacked tightly in an interlocking pattern, like bricks, on a clean and lined floor, with the weight spread evenly along the container and nothing pressing on the doors. Gaps should be filled so the load cannot shift.
A container moves a lot between the factory and your warehouse. It is lifted by cranes, carried by road and rolled at sea. A loose stack shifts, bags rub and split, and the load can fall when the doors are opened.
Before the first bag goes in
- Check the container is clean, dry and free of nails or sharp edges that can tear bags.
- Lay kraft paper or cardboard on the floor and, if agreed, up the walls.
- Decide whether the cargo is floor loaded or palletised. Floor loading fits more, and pallets unload faster.
- If pallets are used, they should be dry and, for wood, treated and marked to ISPM 15 where required.
Stacking practice
- Lay each layer in an interlocking pattern, turning the direction of bags on alternate layers.
- Keep the stack the same height across the width, so it does not lean.
- Spread the weight evenly along the length of the container, not all at one end.
- Leave space between the top layer and the roof for air movement.
- Keep bag seams and stitching facing inwards where possible.
- Fill side and end gaps with dunnage bags, cardboard or spare empty bags.
- Build a stable end wall at the door, or use a door barrier, so nothing falls when it is opened.
Height and weight limits
How high bags can be stacked depends on the product and the bag. Heavy, dense goods such as sesame or pulses reach the container weight limit before they fill the space, so the stack is lower and the weight must be spread with care. Lighter seed spices such as cumin or fennel fill the space first. Very high stacks of soft bags can crush the lower layers, which matters for flakes and powders. Our guide on how much fits in a 20 ft and a 40 ft container covers loads by product.
Cartons of dehydrated onion or garlic powder need extra care. Stack them with corners aligned, not offset, so the carton walls carry the weight.
Signs of a bad stow at destination
- Bags fallen against the doors.
- Torn bags or spilled product along one side.
- Crushed cartons in the bottom layers.
- Wet patches where bags touched the walls or roof.
How we help
Our inspector watches the stow at loading, checks the lining, pattern and gap filling, and stops the loading if bags are thrown in loosely. Photos of each stage come with the report. Ask for a free sourcing review to include this in your order.