A key point to note is that container wooden floors always contain some level of moisture, with the recommended limit being no more than 14%. However, in practice, the moisture content often exceeds this limit, sometimes reaching over 30%. Therefore, it’s crucial to avoid using recently cleaned, still-wet containers. It’s also essential to block the container’s ventilation holes properly during use. Furthermore, you should use moisture detectors to check the packaging of the cargo, aiming to keep the moisture content below 9%. Similarly, pallets and other wooden materials must be kept as dry as possible.

After completing these preliminary steps, it’s important to use container desiccants, which can absorb excess moisture inside the container. By doing so, you can effectively control the moisture levels within the container and prevent damage to the cargo.

When you need to move large quantities of goods over long distances, a cargo ship acts like a massive, mobile warehouse, handling everything in one go—and at a surprisingly low cost. Even more impressive, sea freight is the only transportation method that can reach every corner of the globe, making it indispensable for global trade. However, container shipping isn’t known for its speed. For example, it can take over 20 days for a ship to travel from China to the Americas, and over 30 days to reach Europe. During these long voyages, the wooden floors of containers and the goods inside have plenty of time to release moisture, while external moisture can seep in. Additionally, the unpredictable weather at sea and the large temperature differences between day and night often cause the accumulated moisture inside the container to condense into water droplets that can drip onto the goods, much to the dismay of shippers.

Yet, the allure of container shipping remains strong. To mitigate the risk of moisture damage, shippers employ a variety of strategies, from selecting appropriate packaging materials and controlling the moisture content of the goods to ensuring the container is properly sealed. They also often place desiccants inside the containers—like little helpers—to absorb excess moisture and keep the interior environment dry, ensuring that the goods arrive safely at their destination.

By using these clever precautions, shippers can rest easy knowing their goods won’t suffer from moisture damage during container transport.

To answer this question, it’s important to consider two different scenarios. The first scenario is when container desiccants are used to protect goods from moisture damage. The second scenario is when container desiccants are exported as goods themselves.

When container desiccants are used to protect goods from moisture damage, their role is similar to that of packaging materials. They are typically used to protect goods from moisture and mold during transportation. As part of the packaging, they are usually considered a standard protective measure. In a routine customs inspection, they generally do not attract special attention and do not require specific reports or documents. As long as they are used legally and are not disguised or used to conceal other illegal items, they typically do not pose any issues.

However, when container desiccants are exported as a product, they are treated as independent chemical products and are subject to stricter regulatory oversight. In this case, suppliers usually need to provide a series of certification documents to ensure compliance with the destination country’s legal and environmental requirements. These documents may include the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), compliance with RoHS and REACH regulations, and hazard assessment reports for air and marine transport. Additional certifications may also be required depending on the specific regulations of the destination country.