Most brass parts are packed by count into sealed polythene or VCI bags, placed in export cartons and stacked on pallets. Plated and polished parts get more protection, such as individual wrapping or trays.
Packing protects against three risks: tarnish and corrosion from moisture, damage from parts knocking together, and mixing of part numbers. A good packing specification covers all three.
Typical packing layers
- Parts are cleaned and fully dried, because trapped moisture or oil causes stains in transit.
- Parts are counted into poly bags or VCI bags, which release a vapour that slows corrosion.
- Bags carry a label with part number, quantity, lot number and date.
- Bags go into double-wall or five-ply cartons, with dividers or trays for finished parts.
- Silica gel or other desiccant is added to cartons or pallets where the route is humid.
- Cartons are stacked on pallets, stretch-wrapped and strapped.
Points to put in your specification
- The quantity per bag and per carton, and a maximum gross weight per carton.
- Whether bags must be VCI, sealed or vacuum-packed.
- How plated or decorative parts must be separated so they do not scratch.
- Carton markings, including your part number, order number, country of origin and any barcodes.
- Pallet size and maximum height for your warehouse and container.
- Wooden pallets and crates treated and marked to ISPM 15.
Common packing faults
Most packing complaints come from a few causes. Parts are bagged while still warm or damp from washing, and arrive stained. Cartons are overfilled with heavy brass and burst at the corners. Bags from different lots or part numbers end up in one carton, which breaks traceability.
Decorative parts suffer most. Chrome-plated tap bodies packed loose in one bag rub against each other and arrive scratched. Ask for individual sleeves or trays, and check a few cartons from each pallet at inspection.
Why ISPM 15 matters
Many countries require solid wood packing to be heat-treated or fumigated and stamped under the ISPM 15 international standard. Untreated wood can be refused or treated at your cost on arrival. Plastic pallets and processed wood such as plywood are usually outside the standard, but check with your customs broker.
Inside the container
Long sea voyages move containers through hot and cold climates, and condensation can form inside. Container desiccant strips and a dry, well-loaded box reduce the risk. Brass is heavy, so pallets must be placed to spread the load evenly across the container floor.
Ask for photos of packed cartons and loaded pallets before the container is sealed. The documents your broker needs are in the document pack your broker will ask for. Small-part packing in general is covered in packing small parts.
Next step
We check packing and labels during inspection and supervise loading. To set a packing specification for your parts, book a free sourcing review.