Before Sending Goods in Containers: 5 Things You Must Know
Shipping something internationally for the first time? The process of sending goods in containers is more straightforward than most people expect — but there are five fundamental prerequisites that, if ignored, can turn a routine shipment into an expensive, stressful ordeal.
Whether you’re a first-time shipper or an experienced exporter brushing up on best practice, this guide from the team at Shipping Containers Now covers everything you need to get right before your cargo leaves the country.
5 Prerequisites for Sending Goods in Containers Successfully
1. Know Exactly What You’re Shipping (and What’s Restricted)
Before you do anything else, confirm whether your goods are freely exportable or subject to restrictions. Sending goods in containers internationally means crossing into customs jurisdiction — and different countries have very different rules about what can enter.
Common restrictions include: certain food products, plant materials, chemical compounds, lithium batteries, and dual-use goods (items that have both civilian and military applications). Getting this wrong doesn’t just delay your shipment — it can result in customs seizure, return, or destruction of your cargo at your cost.
2. Choose the Right Container Type and Size
Not all containers are created equal, and using the wrong type for your cargo is one of the most common — and avoidable — mistakes in sending goods in containers. The main options are:
- Dry standard containers (20ft or 40ft): suitable for the vast majority of general cargo
- High Cube containers: extra height for voluminous but light goods like furniture and textiles
- Refrigerated (Reefer) containers: temperature-controlled for perishables, pharmaceuticals, and fine art
- Open-top containers: for oversized machinery that loads from above
- Flat-rack containers: for heavy plant, vehicles, and wide loads
Browse our range of 20ft containers and 40ft containers to understand the specifications before booking your shipment.
3. Prepare Your Documentation Before the Container Arrives
Documentation is the hidden critical path in sending goods in containers. Your shipment cannot move without the correct paperwork, and errors or omissions cause delays that cost money every day the container sits at a port. The core documents you’ll need are:
- Commercial Invoice: detailed list of goods, values, buyer, and seller
- Packing List: itemised contents of every package in the container
- Bill of Lading (B/L): the contract of carriage issued by the shipping line
- Certificate of Origin: confirms where goods were manufactured, required for preferential tariff rates
- Export Declaration: submitted to your country’s customs authority before departure
4. Pack Your Container Correctly — Or Pay the Price
Poor packing is responsible for a huge proportion of freight damage claims when sending goods in containers. Items shift, moisture condenses, and loads collapse during the racking and rolling of ocean transit. Follow these fundamentals:
- Place heaviest items on the floor, centrally, toward the front wall
- Fill all voids with dunnage bags, foam, or paper to prevent cargo shift
- Wrap all pallets in waterproof stretch film to guard against container rain
- Use lashing straps attached to floor anchor rings for any large or heavy items
5. Understand the True Cost Before You Book
Quoted freight rates rarely reflect the full cost of sending goods in containers. Make sure you understand and budget for all costs upfront, including: destination customs duties and import taxes, port handling and terminal fees, customs broker fees, delivery from the destination port to the final address, and marine cargo insurance.
Marine cargo insurance is not optional — it’s essential. Carrier liability is limited by international convention (typically calculated per kilogram of cargo, not per value), meaning most shipments are chronically underprotected without separate cargo insurance in place.
Ready to Ship?
Getting these five foundations right puts you in the top percentage of shippers when it comes to problem-free sending goods in containers. And it all starts with the right container in the right condition.
Explore our full container inventory or speak with our team for advice on the right unit for your cargo and destination. We’re here to make every shipment a success.