Guar gum powder is a fairly dense product, so a 20 ft container is often limited by weight rather than space. Loose-loaded 25 kg bags can often bring a 20 ft close to the weight the shipping line and road rules allow. Pallets take space and add weight, so palletised loads are usually lower.
Exact figures depend on the bag, the pallet, the grade and the limits on your route. Always ask the supplier for their last actual loading of the same product and pack.
What decides the load
- Bulk density of the powder, which varies with mesh and grade.
- Bag type and size: 25 kg paper, 25 kg PP or jumbo bags.
- Loose loading or palletised loading.
- Pallet size and height, and the number of pallets that fit.
- Shipping line weight limits for the container type.
- Road weight limits in India and at destination, which can be lower than the container's rated payload.
20 ft or 40 ft
For dense goods, a 40 ft container usually does not carry twice the weight of a 20 ft. Its weight limit is not much higher, even though it has about twice the space. So many buyers of guar ship in 20 ft containers to use the weight fully. A 40 ft can make sense for palletised, lighter or mixed loads, or when freight rates favour it.
General guidance is in how much product fits in a 20 ft and a 40 ft container.
Loose or palletised
Choose based on your warehouse, labour cost and how much damage you see in transit.
- Loose bags: fit the most product, but take longer to load and unload and carry more risk of damage.
- Palletised: faster to handle, better for warehouses with forklifts, but fewer tonnes per container.
- Slip sheets: a middle option some buyers use, if both ends have the right equipment.
- Jumbo bags: suit bulk users with handling equipment at the receiving end.
Mixing grades in one container
You can usually ship several viscosity grades or mesh sizes in one container if they come from the same supplier. Keep each grade on its own pallets or in a clear block, with batch numbers marked. Ask for one CoA per batch. The same approach is described for other powders in whether you can mix several spice powders in one container.
Before you book
- Ask for the last actual load of the same grade and pack, with the packing list.
- Confirm the weight limit with your freight forwarder for your route.
- Agree pallet pattern and height before production.
- Check that the order quantity fits the container you plan to book.
How we help
We check the load plan with the supplier and your forwarder, then supervise the loading and record weights and bag counts. Start with a free sourcing review.