If your business regularly sends volumes of freight to Europe, the chances are that you’ve probably considered using shipping containers. While pallet shipping is useful for a whole range of goods, shipping containers can provide a more flexible solution to some businesses. But if you’re using shipping containers, it’s really important to know what you can and can’t put in them.
Five Things You Should Never Put in a Shipping Container
Living Things
Be it people, animals, or plants, shipping containers were not designed to carry living things. They are dark. They do have air vents, but not sufficient for a healthy flow of air for living creatures. And very few have temperature control. And with shipping containers frequently used for long distance transportation, and longer-term storage, it’s unlikely that any living thing could survive a journey within one.
It’s also important to remember that most countries have intense restrictions on the movement of all living entities. Plants and animals can represent a significant biohazard. So, if in doubt, don’t do it.
Flammable goods
Shipping containers look like they’re as sturdy as you can get. But that doesn’t make them impervious to fire. On average there is a fire onboard a container ship every week, with a major container fire occurring on average every 60 days. That’s why highly flammable substances should never be included in shipments. And the term ‘highly flammable’ can refer to a wide range of goods: aerosols, batteries, fireworks, fertilisers, cleaning products, nail varnish, solvents, and oils, among other things.
If a fire does break out, it has the potential to not just destroy your shipment, but everyone else’s too. Not to mention endangering the lives of everyone on board the ship.
Perishable goods
There are shipping containers – reefer containers – designed specifically for the movement of perishable goods. They offer temperature control. But standard shipping containers do not. Using them to transport food, medicine, and other perishable goods, it simply inviting trouble.
Small valuable or irreplaceable items
The reason shipping containers are so useful is that they’re easily transportable, and you can fit a lot in them. But this latter point is why you shouldn’t use them for the transportation of valuable, easily lost goods. Even if you’re intending to pack them really well within. Anything that can be damaged by extreme temperatures should also be avoided. Which is why it’s never a good idea to transport irreplaceable items in shipping containers.
Illegal items
Every country has its own list of prohibited goods. Some might seem downright strange to us, while others are clear common sense. But if something is illegal or requires a licence in the UK – drugs, ammunition, firearms, medication – you shouldn’t be putting it in a shipping container. Likewise, check the legality of all of your exports at your intended destination before you arrange transportation.
Shipping containers can be a really useful means of transporting freight to Europe – and globally. But you need to use them with caution. So, think ahead. Check the customs regulations of your departure and destination country. And pack your containers well.
For more information about sending freight to Europe, contact Plexus Freight today.
FAQs
These materials include aerosol cans, chemistry sets, nail polishes and removers, batteries, paint, motor oil, propane tanks and gasoline. Items such as small as matchbooks can even be considered hazardous and should not be packed into shipping containers.
What can you not put in a shipping container? ›
These materials include aerosol cans, chemistry sets, nail polishes and removers, batteries, paint, motor oil, propane tanks and gasoline. Items such as small as matchbooks can even be considered hazardous and should not be packed into shipping containers.
What kinds of cargo would not normally be shipped in containers? ›
Breakbulk cargo stands for goods that cannot fit in standard-sized shipping containers or cargo bins. Instead, the load is transported in bags, boxes, crates, barrels, other handling equipment. Cargo like wood, paper, unprocessed metallic materials, steel rolls, etc make up the breakbulk cargo.
What are the risks associated with shipping containers? ›
Some common risk factors related to transporting shipping containers
- Bad handling. Handling refers to the process of picking, packing, loading and offloading cargoes or containers while controlling the movement, storage and protection of items. ...
- Atmosphere conditions. ...
- Cargo theft. ...
- Other distribution hazards.
Shipping containers have revolutionized the transportation industry, providing a convenient and cost-effective method of moving goods across the globe. These sturdy and durable containers offer a safe way of transporting almost any type of cargo, from perishable goods to heavy machinery.
What cannot be stored in a shipping container? ›
There are several items that should not be stored in shipping containers, including hazardous materials such as explosives, flammable liquids, and gases. Other items that should not be stored include perishable food items, plants, and animals.
What to avoid in plastic containers? ›
Don't store fatty or oily foods in plastic – many chemicals used in plastic are fat soluble and are more likely to leach into fatty food. Cut down on plastic water bottles, which contribute to the widespread ingestion of microplastics. Consider replacing your plastic wrap with a reusable option, like beeswax wrap.
What is not allowed in cargo? ›
List of Prohibited items in Checked and Cabin baggage: Compressed gases - deeply refrigerated, flammable, non-flammable and poisonous such as butane oxygen, liquid nitrogen, aqualung cylinders and compressed gas cylinders. Corrosives such as acids, alkalis, mercury and wet cell batteries and apparatus containing ...
What is the weakest part of a shipping container? ›
We know now that corrugated steel walls are the weakest members of the container. You'll need horizontal and vertical beams for structural support in the middle of the wall. Weld steel beams at either end of your container walls for additional strength.
What is the problem with shipping containers? ›
The shipping container shortage could probably be better described as a logjam. Shipping container production has been at record levels in 2020 and 2021, but very few of those containers have made their way to the resale market because shipping lines have so much demand for freight.
Shipping Containers Are Strong
They can take frequent abuse from riding lawn mowers, aerators, lawn rollers and a whole assortment of hand tools. Fully loaded containers can even be stacked up to eight high to save space – but you may want to check with your local building department before attempting this.
What are two disadvantages of using a shipping container to build a home? ›
The Cons of Living in a Shipping Container Home
- Appliances Don't Always Fit. ...
- Building Permits Can Be Difficult to Get. ...
- Contractors Are Hard to Come By. ...
- Issues With Insulation. ...
- Need to Consider the Climate. ...
- Safety Concerns for Used Containers. ...
- Shape & Size Limitations. ...
- Reinforcing Sometimes Needed.
Things You Should Never Transport in a Shipping Container
- Living Things. Be it people, animals, or plants, shipping containers were not designed to carry living things. ...
- Flammable goods. Shipping containers look like they're as sturdy as you can get. ...
- Perishable goods. ...
- Small valuable or irreplaceable items. ...
- Illegal items.
According to one of the professional assignment help services, a regular 20-foot container allows one or two cars or SUVs to be transported, and a 40-foot-long one allows economically to accommodate two-four mid-size vehicles. A 45-foot container will conveniently accommodate up to 5 cars.
What cargo is not shipped in containers? ›
Toxic and Flammable Products
To ensure everyone's safety, there are many toxic substances like chemicals, fertilizers, oils and solvents that are prohibited from being shipped in a container.
Can I store things in a shipping container? ›
In conclusion, the qualities of shipping containers provide storage solutions for heavy, valuable, and large items. Shipping containers will continue to be used for storage solutions, as they are durable, flexible, portable, secure, and reliable.
What type of containers should you avoid using? ›
In general, the safest choices for food use are numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding plastic containers with codes 3, 6 and 7. Plastic number 3 contains vinyl or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), 6 has polystyrene and 7 can contain various plastics, such as Bisphenol A (BPA).
What can you store in a 20ft shipping container? ›
For an even better idea of what can be fitted into an average 20ft unit, you could have:
- 2 cars.
- 7,816 reams of paper.
- 4,000 shoeboxes.
- 486.799 eggs.
- 7,344 gallons of water.
- 9,600 bottles of wine.
- 48,000 bananas.
