Crating and export packing is the process of preparing goods to survive the long, rough journey of international shipping: ocean humidity, rough handling, stacking pressure, and multiple transfers between trucks, ports, and vessels. Proper export packing protects cargo from damage and meets international rules, most notably the ISPM 15 standard for wood packaging. Done well, it prevents costly damage claims and customs delays; done poorly, it can get an entire shipment rejected at the border.
Why export packing is different
Domestic freight usually faces a single mode and gentle handling. International freight is handled many times, sits in humid container holds for weeks, and is exposed to vibration and compression. Export packing accounts for all of it with sturdier materials, moisture control, and load-securing methods designed for the worst part of the trip, not the average.
Common crating and packing methods
Custom wooden crates
Heavy machinery and high-value equipment are built into custom crates engineered for the load’s weight and dimensions, with internal bracing and bolt-down points to stop movement.
Skids and pallets
Skids and reinforced pallets raise cargo off the floor for forklift handling and protect the base from moisture and impact.
Moisture protection
Vapor-barrier bags, desiccants, and shrink wrap guard against condensation inside ocean containers, which is critical for metal parts and electronics.
Cushioning and bracing
Foam, dunnage, and blocking absorb shock and keep cargo from shifting, a frequent cause of in-transit damage. For loose cargo securing, see our guide to dunnage in freight shipping.
ISPM 15 and wood packaging rules
Any solid wood packaging used in international shipping, including crates, pallets, and dunnage, must comply with ISPM 15, which requires the wood to be heat-treated or fumigated and stamped with an official mark. Non-compliant wood packaging can cause the whole shipment to be refused entry or returned, so this is one of the most common avoidable export errors.
Packing as part of the bigger move
Export packing works best when it is integrated with warehousing, consolidation, and port operations rather than treated as a separate step. Cargo can be packed, palletized, and crated at the same facility where it is staged and consolidated before drayage to the port. Go Freight handles export crating and packing within its 104,000 sq ft bonded Miami warehouse, then moves the freight via asset-based PortMiami and Port Everglades drayage. For complex or oversized shipments, this connects directly to our project cargo logistics capabilities.
Frequently asked questions
What is export packing?
Export packing is the specialized preparation of goods for international shipping, using sturdier materials, moisture protection, cushioning, and load securing to protect cargo from the humidity, handling, and vibration of a long ocean or air journey.
What is ISPM 15 and why does it matter?
ISPM 15 is an international standard requiring solid wood packaging, such as crates, pallets, and dunnage, to be heat-treated or fumigated and stamped with an official mark. Non-compliant wood packaging can cause a shipment to be refused entry or returned.
When do I need a custom crate instead of a pallet?
Custom crates are used for heavy, fragile, high-value, or oddly shaped equipment that needs internal bracing and full enclosure. Pallets or skids are sufficient for sturdier, stackable goods that mainly need to be raised for forklift handling and moisture protection.
Protect your export with proper packing
Go Freight is a Miami-based, asset-based, AI-powered 3PL offering export crating, packing, warehousing, and drayage under one roof. Get a quote at go-freight.ai/quote or call (786) 445-0150.