Why packaging matters in stainless steel export
Packaging is an important factor to ensure that stainless steel strips reach to buyer perfectly. Due to the low thickness of stainless-steel strips, they are more prone to edge damage and surface scratches. After the fabrication of stainless-steel strips, they have to pass through different stages such as transportation from the factory to the port, through sea, customs, and to the customer. During this transportation, the material is exposed to stacking pressure, humidity, vibrations, impact, and a corrosive environment.
To avoid stainless steel strips from rust, mechanical damage, and scratches on the surface, it is important to do proper packaging. During a long ocean journey, it is important to do moisture-proof wrapping to prevent salt and moisture, which can cause localized corrosion (pitting corrosion). It is mostly used for high precision applications, and any defect caused by poor packaging can result in rejection of stainless-steel strips and financial claims.
“Eye to Sky” vs “Eye to Wall”: meaning & differences
During the storage, transportation, and packaging, the terms “Eye to Sky” and “Eye to Wall” refer to the orientation of coils. It is important to choose the correct orientation because the wrong orientation of coils will damage the edge and surface. Let’s discuss these terms and their differences below:
In the eye-to-sky position, the coil is placed vertically, and the coil core is facing upward. This position is the same as looking down into the pipe. It is best for storage, short-distance handling, and easier to lift the coils with a crane from above. The eye-to-sky orientation risks the collection of moisture, debris, and causes damage to the inner laps of the strips. The eye-to-sky orientation is best for lighter stainless-steel strips, where edge protection is important.
In eye-to-wall orientation, the coil lies horizontally, and the coil core faces sideways like a wheel. It is preferred for long-distance shipment because this orientation is more stable when strapped to pallets and thus reduces the risk of coil damage. The eye-to-wall orientation allows the water to run off easily and minimizes the coil distortion. The eye-to-wall orientation is best for heavier stainless-steel coils and for stable transportation over long ocean routes.
When to choose each type (container vs pallet shipping)
The choice between container and pallet shipping depends on the shipment volume, budget, and distance. Container shipping is preferred when there is a large shipment that can fill the container. It can be full-container-load (FCL) or full truckload (FTL), and this type of shipment provides minimal handling and control from moisture. However, for small orders, the less-than-container-load (LCL) shipping is preferred. The LCL shipping is cost-effective because you need to pay only for the space used. FCL is suitable for 10-11 pallets for a 20ft container, and LCL is preferred typically under 10-12 pallets. Table 01 gives the quick and precise details that will help you when choosing the container and pallet shipping.
Table 01: Comparison between pallet and container shipping
Factor | Pallet Shipping (LCL) | Container Shipping (FCL) |
Volume | Low-volume shipments | High volume shipments |
Transit Time | A longer time is required due to consolidation. | Mostly, the shipment is direct and takes a short time. |
Moisture Control | The limited control is due to multiple unloading of goods. | Better control with desiccants and sealing |
Risk | The risk of damage is higher due to multiple handling points | The risk of damage is lower due to dedicated handling |
Cost efficiency | It is more economical for small loads. | It is more economical for full loads. |
Cost | It depends on the charge per CBM (Cubic meter) | It depends on the fixed cost per container |
Security | Lower security (shared space) | Higher security (sealed container) |
Ideal | It is ideal for samples and small orders | It is ideal for bulk orders and large production shipments. |
Common packaging materials
The proper packaging is critical to avoid corrosion, scratches, and damage to the material. The following table 02 describes the packaging material with its specific roles.
Table 02: The common packaging materials used for protection and their primary role
Packaging Material | Primary function |
Wooden Pallet | It provides a stable base for handling & transport. |
It prevents the movement of coils during transportation. | |
Waterproof Paper (VCI) | It creates a barrier against moisture and prevents corrosion damage. |
Plastic Wrap | It holds the waterproof paper in place and provides a basic moisture and dust seal. |
Desiccant Bags | It absorbs ambient moisture inside the final packaging. |
How proper packaging protects coil surface from scratches & corrosion
During the shipment, the surface of stainless-steel coils is highly sensitive to scratches, corrosion, and dimensional changes. It is important to preserve the coil integrity and appearance by proper export-grade packaging. The following section discusses in detail the protection from scratches and corrosion through packaging.
Protection from scratches
The scratches can easily be made on the stainless-steel strips and can be prevented by following:
1) It is important to wrap the PVC films, VCI paper, or polyethylene sheet to create a barrier between the coil and the external surface.
2) To stop the metal-to-metal contact, the coils should be held firmly with steel or plastic strapping.
3) The edge protectors can be used where strip edges are critical.
4) It is preferred to use the FCL shipment because if the coils are carried along with other cargo (LCL), then there are high chances of damage to the coils.
Protection from corrosion
Despite being of high resistance to corrosion, the stainless-steel strips can be corroded when prolonged exposed to moisture and a salt environment. The proper packaging prevents corrosion through:
1) To reduce the condensation exposure inside the container, the fully enclosed wooden cases should be used for ocean shipment.
2) The waterproof kraft paper, laminated wrapping sheets, and VCI (volatile corrosion inhibitor) covers should be used for moisture-proof sealing.
3) The desiccant bags should be used inside the container to adsorb any residual moisture and keep the air inside the package dry.
Conclusion
The right packaging of stainless steel strips prevents scratches, edge damage, and corrosion during long-distance export. The correct selection of coil orientation from the Eye to Sky and Eye to Wall further enhances the protection. Pallet (LCL) shipping suits for small orders, while container (FCL) shipping provides better security and efficiency for bulk orders. By choosing the right approach, exporters can ensure coil quality and deliver products according to customer expectations.
