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Essential Tips for Foreign Trade: Complete Guide to Container Loading

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Time of issue：

2025-09-11 18:00

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In foreign trade business, container loading is a key step. It not only relates to the safe transportation of goods but also directly affects transportation costs and customer satisfaction. Today, let's take a detailed look at container loading, from basic knowledge to practical operation, so you can easily master it.

1. Basic Knowledge of Containers

(1) Common Container Companies

• COSCO: China COSCO Shipping

• OOCL: Orient Overseas Container Line

• MSC: Mediterranean Shipping Company

• MSK: Maersk

• CMA: CMA CGM

• YML: Yang Ming Marine Transport

• EMC: Evergreen Marine Corporation

• HMM: Hyundai Merchant Marine (South Korea)

• SIN: Sinotrans

• HPL: Hapag-Lloyd

• SITC: SITC International Holdings

• ONE: Ocean Network Express (Japan)

(2) Container Types

• Shipper Owned Container (SOC): Container owned by the shipper

• Carrier Owned Container (COC): Container provided by the shipping company

• One-Way Container (OWC): One-way container, the consignee at the destination port picks up the container with goods

(3) Common Container Specifications

• 40-foot High Cube (40HQ): 12.192 meters long, 2.9 meters high, 2.35 meters wide, generally holds about 68 CBM

• 40-foot General Purpose (40GP): 12.192 meters long, 2.6 meters high, 2.35 meters wide, generally holds about 58 CBM

• 20-foot General Purpose (20GP): 6.085 meters long, 2.6 meters high, 2.35 meters wide, generally holds about 28 CBM

• 45-foot High Cube (45HC): 13.716 meters long, 2.9 meters high, 2.35 meters wide, generally holds about 75 CBM

(4) Special Containers

• Open Top Container (OT): Top can be opened, suitable for over-height cargo

• Flat Rack Container (FR): No side panels on both sides, suitable for over-length cargo

• Refrigerated Container (RF): Temperature adjustable, needs pre-cooling before loading

2. Preparation Before Loading

(1) Internal Communication and Confirmation

• Verify packaging data: Obtain the final confirmed container specifications, gross weight, net weight, and total number of containers from the factory.

• Calculate total volume and weight: Ensure data accuracy; this is the basis for booking and loading plans.

• Prepare packing list: Create the packing list based on final data as a guide for loading.

(2) External Communication and Confirmation

• Clarify customer requirements: Understand any special loading requirements from the customer, such as no side loading, pallet requirements, photo requirements, marking requirements, etc.

• Convey requirements: Clearly and in writing communicate all customer requirements to the factory manager and loading supervisor.

(3) Create Loading Diagram

• Draw placement diagram: Based on container internal dimensions and cargo box specifications, draw a simple placement diagram.

• Purpose of diagram: Guide workers for quick loading, estimate required container types and quantities, and plan weight distribution in advance.

(4) Booking and Transportation Arrangement

• Book container with freight forwarder: Apply for the most suitable container based on final volume and weight.

• Arrange trucking: Agree on loading time with the factory and notify the freight forwarder to arrange timely truck arrival.

3. Supervision During Loading

(1) Request Photos and Videos

• Empty container photos: Prove the container is clean, undamaged, and odor-free.

• Loading process photos: Show whether goods are stacked neatly and secured.

• Seal close-ups: Clearly show container number and seal number.

(2) Keep Communication Channels Open

• Stay in contact: Ensure the factory loading supervisor can reach you anytime for immediate decision-making if issues arise.

(3) Verify Key Information

• Record seal number: Update the seal number on the bill of lading supplement and packing list to ensure consistency in documentation.

4. Documentation After Loading

(1) Document Organization and Distribution

• Update documents: Send the final confirmed packing list and bill of lading confirmation to the customer for approval.

• Request VGM: Obtain Verified Gross Mass (VGM) certification from the factory/truck driver and submit it to the shipping company.

• Archive evidence: Organize and archive all loading photos, videos, seal numbers, and loading diagrams.

(2) Notify Customer

• Send loading completion notice: Include container number, seal number, vessel name/voyage, ETD and ETA, and several important loading photos.

(3) Handle Exceptions

• Notify customer promptly: If problems occur during loading, such as short loading or damage, immediately assess the impact and discuss solutions.

5. Loading Calculation Tips

(1) Carton Volume Calculation

• Formula: Carton volume = length × width × height (unit: cubic meters)

• Theoretical packing quantity: Divide the available container volume by the volume of a single carton to get the theoretical packing quantity.

• Note: The larger the carton, the more space is wasted; smaller boxes have higher utilization.

(2) Types of goods

• Single variety: easy to arrange, high space utilization.

• Mixed varieties: different sizes, limited arrangement, reduced space utilization.

6. Container Loading Self-Inspection Checklist

(1) Before loading

• Final carton specifications/weight data have been obtained and confirmed from the factory ☐

• An accurate Packing List has been prepared ☐

• All special container loading requirements from the customer have been clarified ☐

• A packing diagram has been created and sent to the factory ☐

• Booking has been made, and loading time confirmed with factory/forwarder ☐

(2) During loading

• Factory onsite personnel have been requested to send real-time photos/videos ☐

• Photos of empty container, half-full, full container, and seal have been received ☐

• Seal numbers have been checked and recorded ☐

• Issues during loading have been promptly resolved ☐

(3) After loading

• Seal numbers have been updated on the bill of lading and all documents ☐

• VGM has been requested and submitted ☐

• All loading documents have been archived and saved ☐

• Loading completion notice and key information have been sent to the customer ☐

7. Summary

Container loading may seem simple, but it involves many details. From thorough preparation beforehand, strict supervision during loading, to document organization and customer communication afterward, every step is crucial. We hope the above content helps you handle foreign trade business more smoothly. Wishing you successful loading and prosperous business!

Hope this article is helpful to you! If you have any other questions or need further content, feel free to let me know anytime.

Shenzhen Huijietong International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. — Jiajing Container

The company specializes in containers & container houses, with over 14 years as a leader in the container supply chain and a gold supplier on Alibaba International. We are a professional enterprise focused on high-quality container supply. Committed to providing customers with efficient and reliable logistics solutions to meet the needs of various industries. We can provide customized container services in any city in China, ensuring timely and efficient delivery while helping customers save operating costs. The company is headquartered in Shenzhen, with branches in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, Ningbo, Xiamen, and other key port cities. Our products are widely used in railway and maritime transport, earning trust and praise from many customers due to excellent quality and performance.

Service Hotline: 0755-82171929 13560787209