110 / 188
108
It is not rational to use over measured or especially under measured transportation
packages. For the forwarders point of view, the package is never too strong. One of the
criteria to receive insurance compensation in the case of an accident is that the goods
are properly packed, protected and equipped to tolerate normal transportation stresses.
Serious consideration must be paid by the sender to the selection of the
transportation package in order to find a feasible package for both domestic and
international transportation. The same package seldom suits all kinds of different
transportation forms and stresses.
An example: A company shipping steel plate products packed the sheets so that
the cover, bottom and sides of a sheet batch package were separate. The package was tied
with steel lines. The package was not tight enough and rust damage occurred. A new
type of package (“shoe box” package) was developed. In that, the bottom and the sides
were made of one part and the cover was put on the top as with a shoebox. The new
package significantly reduced the amount of damage.
The sender must first think if the package is needed at all. If the package is not
needed, an item cannot still be sent like it is. the following factors at least must be taken
into consideration:
• The base of the product must be suitable for machine handling.
• The base has to be bigger than the outer dimensions of the product so the
base hits obstacles before the product.
• Goods must be attached to the base so that it stays on its place during the
normal transportation stresses.
• Address information and handling markings must be attached or painted to
the goods so that they are noticeable.
5.2.1 Internal package
The transportation package can be divided into external and internal package.
The functions of the internal package are:
• To act as a buffer for example in machinery and equipment packages.
• To absorb into itself the leakage of the product. If the goods possibly leak
something during the transportation, the inner package has to be able to
absorb it.
• To be as a wrapping or consumer package. The plastic bag prevents external
humidity or dust penetrating into the product, but at the same time it
preserves the product’s own moisture. Usually the internal package, which
is also the consumer package, cannot be set on the shop shelf after damage
even if the product itself is intact.
• To create a controlled “climate” around the product.
Several foodstuffs or sensitive meters require constant conditions also during the
transportation. In this case the internal package preserves the aromas or humidity or
maintains a vacuum, which make the products preserve their original properties.
The use of drying agents in humidity protection require a tight inner package
so the drying agents absorb the incoming humidity. Instead of drying agents, anti-
corrosion materials can also be used. There are two types of anti-corrosion materials: gas