Export yarn from India is wound onto cones, and the cones are then packed either in cartons, in pressed bales wrapped in polythene and woven fabric, or stacked on pallets. Cone weight is usually between 1.5 and 2.5 kg, and the carton, bale or pallet weight is agreed per order to suit the buyer's handling and the container loading plan. The right packing depends on the yarn, the route and what the receiving mill can handle at the unloading bay.
The cone itself matters as much as the outer packing. Paper cones are the usual choice for cotton and blended spun yarn, while plastic cones are used for yarn that will be dyed on the package and for some filament yarns. The cone taper, usually expressed in degrees, has to match the creels at the receiving knitting or weaving mill, so confirm it in the order rather than assume a standard.
The three packing styles
- Cartons: cones are placed in corrugated boxes, often with a polythene liner and dividers. Carton weight is typically 20 to 50 kg. Cartons protect cones best and are easy to count, but they take more container space and add packing cost.
- Bales: cones are stacked, wrapped in polythene and then in a woven polypropylene or hessian cover, and pressed. Bale weights vary widely and are set per order. Bales are cheapest and pack densely, but cone damage is more likely if handling is rough.
- Pallets: cartons or shrink-wrapped cone stacks are placed on wooden or plastic pallets and strapped. Pallets suit buyers with forklift unloading and automated warehouses, and they reduce handling damage, though pallet height limits how fully a container is used.
Points to agree before the order
Agree the net cone weight and the tolerance, the number of cones per carton or bale, and the gross weight, as these determine how many kilograms fit in a 20-foot or 40-foot container. Decide whether wooden pallets are acceptable, since they must be heat-treated and marked to the ISPM 15 standard for most destinations, and plastic pallets avoid that requirement. Ask for a packing list that shows lot number, count, cone count and net weight per package so that your warehouse can receive against it.
Marking is a routine source of trouble. Make sure each package carries the lot number, count and your order reference, and that the lot is not split across containers unless you agree to it. Yarn from different lots can dye to slightly different shades, so a mixed shipment without clear marking creates problems at the fabric stage.
Moisture and condition
Cotton yarn absorbs moisture and gains weight, so the commercial weight should be stated as conditioned weight at a standard regain, or as net invoice weight with a moisture tolerance. Polythene liners help protect yarn from humidity changes during the voyage, which usually runs from Mundra, Pipavav or Hazira. For long transit times or destinations with high humidity, ask about desiccant bags and sealed liners.
How Creston & Co helps
We confirm cone type, taper and package weights with the spinner before production, then supervise loading at the mill or port to check that marking, cone count and container stuffing match the packing list. We keep one approved spinner and one backup, send weekly updates with photos, and can arrange sealed samples for an NABL-accredited lab. If you are planning your first yarn import from India, a free 20-minute sourcing review covers packing and container planning.