Psyllium husk is light and bulky, so a container fills up by volume long before it reaches its weight limit. In a typical case, whole husk loads well under 10 tonnes in a 20 ft container, and roughly double that in a 40 ft.
Husk powder and whole seed are much denser and load considerably more. The exact figure depends on the product, the grade, the bag and how it is stacked, so always ask the mill for its last actual loading of the same item.
Why the product changes the answer
- Whole husk: flaky and fluffy, so it takes up a lot of space per tonne. This is the lowest load of the three.
- Husk powder: finer particles pack more tightly, so the same container holds noticeably more weight. Finer mesh sizes usually pack denser still.
- Whole seed: small, dense grain that behaves more like other seed spices and can come closer to the weight limit.
- Khakha and lower grades: vary widely with particle size and how much kernel or dust they contain.
Why the pack changes the answer
The same husk can load differently in different packs. Compressed bags take less space but may affect product handling. Paper bags and fibre drums are less space-efficient than PP woven bags. Pallets cost space and weight, and loose loading by hand fits more bags but takes longer to unload.
Some mills compress husk bags to raise the load per container. Ask whether they do, and check that compression does not damage the product or the liner.
20 ft or 40 ft
Because husk is a volume cargo, many buyers prefer a 40 ft or 40 ft high cube container. It holds more product for a freight cost that is usually less than double a 20 ft, so the freight cost per kilo is lower.
A 20 ft makes sense for a first order, a trial grade or a small warehouse. It also lets you mix grades or products from the same mill. General container loading for agri goods is covered in how much product fits in a 20 ft and a 40 ft container.
What to ask the mill
- The last actual net weight loaded for the same product, grade and pack.
- The bag size, bag dimensions and number of bags per container.
- Whether loading is palletised or loose, and whether bags are compressed.
- Photos from a previous loading of the same product.
- The minimum quantity they will ship in a mixed container.
Why it matters for your price
Freight is charged per container, not per tonne. If one mill loads more husk per container than another, your landed cost per kilo is lower, even at the same ex-works price. Compare quotes on a landed basis, as explained in how to compare quotes from different psyllium processors.
Make sure the quantity on the contract matches what the container can hold. A contract for a quantity that will not fit leads to short shipment or an extra part load.
How we help
We check the mill's real loading records for your product and pack before you sign. Our inspector supervises loading, counts the bags and checks weights before the container is sealed. Ask for a free sourcing review.