To load tiles in a container, check the empty container first, place the cargo so the weight is spread evenly along the floor, fill gaps with bracing, and record the whole process with photographs. How to load tiles in a container matters because tiles are dense and fragile, and a shifting load breaks cartons.
A supervisor attending the factory loading is the only reliable way to know the container was packed as agreed.
What is checked before loading starts?
Inspect the empty container before any cargo goes in:
- The floor is sound, dry and clean, with no holes, rust or loose boards.
- The roof and walls show no light through gaps and no signs of water damage.
- Doors close and seal properly, and the container number is recorded.
- The cargo itself matches the order: designs, shades, grades and quantities.
How should tiles be loaded?
Pallets and loose loading follow different methods. Pallets are loaded by forklift and add weight, while loose cartons are hand-stacked and use space more efficiently but need more care. See pallets or loose loading for tiles for the choice.
In both cases the principles are the same. Heavier cartons go lower. Cartons should be stacked tightly, in a pattern that locks them against movement, and the weight should be spread so that one end of the container does not carry most of the load. Tiles on edge or flat should follow the factory's packing plan.
How do you stop the load shifting?
The load meets sudden forces on the road and at sea. A gap at the door end is the biggest risk, because cartons can fall against the doors. Fill voids with timber blocking, airbags or wooden bracing, and use strapping where the layout needs it.
Corners and edges of cartons should not bear against sharp metal. The guide to preventing tile breakage in containers covers more of this.
What does a loading supervisor record?
A good loading report is evidence you can use for a claim or a dispute. It should include:
- Photographs of the empty container, with the number visible.
- Photographs during loading showing the stacking pattern, bracing and the last row.
- A count of pallets or cartons by design and shade, matched to the packing list.
- The weight of the loaded container, if a weighbridge is used.
- Photographs of the closed doors with the seal and seal number.
Why attend the loading?
Mixed shades, extra designs, short counts and poor bracing are all hard to fix after sealing. Attending loading lets you correct them on the spot. Our note on agents attending factory loading explains how this works. The same point appears in why quality drops after the first container.
What if something is wrong on the day?
Stop loading and fix it. Wrong shades, damaged cartons, a dirty container or a missing seal are all easier to correct before the doors close. Record the problem with a photograph, tell the factory what must change, and note the corrected result. If the factory will not stop, record that as well, because it supports a later claim.
How we help
We supervise loading, record it and check it against the order and the packing list. To arrange this for your next container, book a free sourcing review.