What goes wrong with packaging cargo
Packaging materials (corrugated boxes, cartons, films, tapes, bags and protective wraps) for retail, industrial and e-commerce supply chains are non-hazardous and ship at ambient temperature. The risk is that they arrive unusable: moisture weakens cartons, uneven stacking crushes them, rough surfaces tear films, and heat softens plastic. Dry handling, even stacking on strapped pallets and a clean container prevent most of it.
What counts as packaging materials
Paper-based packaging
Corrugated boxes, carton sheets, die-cut cartons, paper bags and kraft paper rolls
Plastic-based packaging
Polybags, LDPE/HDPE bags, shrink and stretch films, bubble wrap and air-cell packaging
Protective packaging
Foam rolls and sheets, honeycomb boards, edge protectors and corner guards
E-commerce and retail packaging
Mailer bags, printed cartons and retail packaging sleeves
Shipping packaging materials?
Get a quoteFive ways packaging materials get damaged, and how to prevent each
Most claims on packaging cargo come from moisture, crushed cartons and torn rolls or films. Each risk below is paired with the packing and loading steps that prevent it.
Wet cartons lose their crush strength, so they collapse in the stack and are no longer fit for the shelf.
- Make sure cartons are fully dry before packing
- Cover pallet loads with shrink-wrap or poly covers
- Don't load in the rain or near condensation points
- Keep the container ventilated
Poor stacking or uneven pressure bends cartons, sheets and rolls, and your buyer can't use deformed packaging.
- Stack cartons evenly so the load sits flat
- Keep heavy cargo off the top
- Palletize to keep stacks stable
- Strap pallet loads so they can't shift
Films, polybags and paper rolls tear when they rub against rough container surfaces or sharp edges. Torn stock is lower quality and often ends up as waste.
- Keep rolls in protective outer covers
- Add corner protectors where straps meet the pallet load
- Keep goods clear of metal edges and protruding surfaces during handling
High temperatures and UV light soften and weaken shrink film, stretch film and polybags, so they perform worse when your team uses them.
- Limit time in direct sun
- In hot climates, keep goods away from the container walls
- Store in cool, shaded areas before loading
Paper and plastic packaging pick up and hold odors and dust. Packaging for retail and consumer use has to arrive clean.
- Use a clean, odor-free container
- Wrap pallet loads to keep dust out
- Don't co-load with strong-smelling cargo such as chemicals, rubber or spices
Shipping documents: who provides what
What the shipper provides
| Document | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice and packing list | States the packaging type, size, material and HS code |
| Certificate of origin | Confirms where the materials were made; needed for customs and duty programs |
| Material specification sheet | States the material grade: GSM, microns, ply or density |
| Packing declaration | Confirms how the goods are packed: pallets, rolls and wrapping method |
What the forwarder handles
| Document | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Shows the product category and HS codes |
| Certificate of origin (if required) | Supports customs and trade compliance |
| Bill of lading / air waybill | The contract of carriage; sets the shipment's routing |
| Material declaration | Supports recycling and environmental compliance |
Shipping packaging materials?
Get a quoteCustoms notes by destination
Packaging rolls and cartons usually clear without trouble when they are labeled correctly.
- Certificate of origin (COO) required
- A clear material description helps customs classify the goods
- COO required
- Material composition checks may apply for recycling compliance
- COO mandatory
- Packaging quality is often checked for retail use
Transit times by trade lane
Bulk loads move mainly by ocean freight. Air freight suits lightweight, urgent shipments.
| Corridor | Mode | Typical transit |
|---|---|---|
| Asia ⇄ North America | Ocean / Air | ~20–40 days / ~3–6 days |
| Asia ⇄ Europe | Ocean / Rail | ~18–35 days / ~12–20 days |
| South America ⇄ North America / Europe | Ocean | ~12–28 days |
| Europe ⇄ Middle East | Ocean / Air | ~10–22 days / ~1–3 days |
Shipping packaging materials?
Get a quoteHS codes for packaging materials (examples)
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 4819 | Cartons, boxes and other paper packaging |
| 3923 | Plastic packaging: bags, films, bottles |
| 4811 | Paper rolls and coated paper |
| 3920–3921 | Plastic films and sheets |
These codes are indicative starting points, not a classification. Find the exact 10-digit line for your product in the HTS Code Finder. Getting the classification right is the importer of record’s legal responsibility.
Reference: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature.aspx Estimate US import duties for these codes with our free tariff simulator.
Packaging materials shipping FAQs
Three causes: uneven stacking, compression from heavy cargo on top, and moisture.
Only if they ship on wooden pallets. In that case the pallets must meet ISPM-15 rules.
No. They are non-hazardous and ship at ambient temperature.
Yes. Keep them out of direct heat so they don't soften.
Moisture damage, crushed cartons, and torn rolls or films.
Shipping terms in this guide:Commercial InvoicePacking ListHarmonized System Code (HS Code)Certificate of Origin (COO)Bill of Lading (BOL)Air Waybill (AWB)
U.S. import duty on Packaging Materials Logistics by country of origin
Total duty on the highest-value tariff lines in this category, by country of origin, calculated with our tariff engine and U.S. Census import values. Each page breaks down the duty components, how the rate has changed by entry date, and the landed-cost math.
- Polyethylene sacks and bags from China
- Reclosable polyethylene bags from Thailand
- Stoppers, lids, caps and other closures from China
- Carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles from China
- Polyethylene sacks and bags from Vietnam
- Plastic packing articles from China
- Flexible intermediate bulk containers from India
- Boxes, cases, crates and similar articles from Taiwan
- Boxes, cases, crates and similar articles from China
- Sacks and bags of other plastics from China
- Polyethylene sacks and bags from India
- Plastic packing articles from Indonesia
- Polypropylene woven sacks and bags from Thailand
- Plastic packing articles from Vietnam
- Carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles from Vietnam
- Sacks and bags of other plastics from Vietnam
25 more in this group. Rates are our tariff engine's total for a commercial entry today. Open a page for the duty lines behind a rate and how it changed by entry date, browse all import duty pages, or price your own shipment.
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