Importing furniture: packaging, moisture and damage

Furniture is bulky, heavy in some places and fragile in others. A table that left the factory in perfect condition can arrive with a dented corner, a cracked top or a mouldy underside. Most of this damage is predictable, and most of it is preventable if packaging and moisture are dealt with before the order is confirmed, not after the container is opened.

This guide covers the main causes of damage and the practical steps buyers take to reduce them.

Where damage comes from

A container shipment involves many more movements than it seems: factory to truck, truck to port, crane to vessel, weeks at sea, then the same in reverse, often followed by warehouse handling and a final delivery.

The usual causes of damage are:

• Impact and drops during manual handling, especially on corners and legs.
• Compression when heavy cartons are stacked on lighter ones.
• Vibration and rubbing between surfaces during road and sea transport.
• Load shifting when a container is not filled tightly or braced.
• Moisture, which causes mould, swelling, warping, rust on hardware and stains on upholstery.

Packaging that protects

Do not leave packaging to the supplier's default. State it in the order.

Assembled or knock-down

Knock-down (flat-pack) furniture ships as components for assembly at destination. It uses container space efficiently and is easier to protect, but needs clear instructions, complete hardware and accurate pre-drilling. Assembled furniture avoids assembly errors but takes more volume and is more exposed to impact.

Typical protective elements

• Surface protection: foam sheet, soft non-woven fabric or paper between finished surfaces so they do not rub.
• Corner and edge protectors: cardboard, foam or plastic on the points most likely to be hit.
• Inner supports: honeycomb board or shaped foam to stop movement inside the carton.
• Export cartons: corrugated board strong enough for the product weight and for stacking.
• Separate packing for glass, marble and mirrors, usually in wooden crates or reinforced cartons.
• Hardware packs sealed and fixed inside the carton so nothing is lost.

Transit testing and marking

Many buyers ask that packed cartons pass a drop test based on a recognised transit-test procedure before mass production. Agree the method and the pass criteria in advance.

Cartons should carry clear marks: item code, purchase order number, quantity, gross weight, dimensions and handling symbols such as "this way up" and "fragile".

Moisture: the hidden risk

Wood moves with humidity

Wood takes up and releases moisture until it balances with the surrounding air. Furniture made in a humid climate and sold in a dry, air-conditioned or heated one will shrink, and joints, panels and veneers can crack or open. The reverse causes swelling.

For this reason buyers specify the moisture content of the timber, and the right target depends on the climate where the furniture will be used. There is no single correct figure. Confirm it with your supplier and, if needed, a wood specialist, and ask how and when it is measured.

Container condensation

Temperatures inside a container rise and fall during a voyage. Moisture in the air, in the cargo and in the wooden floor can condense on the cold steel roof and drip onto cartons. This is often called container rain.

Common precautions:

• Load only dry cargo, dry pallets and a dry, clean container.
• Use desiccant bags or strips sized for the container and the route.
• Keep cartons off the container walls where possible.
• Wrap upholstered and metal parts in plastic with desiccant inside, taking care not to trap moisture in wood that is still drying.
• Avoid loading in rain.

Wood packaging rules

Pallets and crates made of solid wood are generally subject to ISPM 15, the international standard that requires treatment and marking of wood packaging to prevent the spread of pests. Check the requirements of your destination country with your forwarder or customs broker. Some countries also apply plant-health or fumigation rules to wooden products themselves.

Inspection before shipment

A pre-shipment inspection is cheaper than a claim. Typical checks include:

1. Quantity and item codes against the order.
2. Dimensions, finish, colour and construction against the approved sample.
3. Assembly test on a sample of knock-down items.
4. Stability and function: doors, drawers, moving parts.
5. Moisture readings on wooden parts.
6. Packaging, carton marks and, where agreed, a carton drop test.

Many buyers also arrange loading supervision, where an inspector checks the container condition and records how the goods are stowed.

Loading the container

• Place heavy items at the bottom and light ones on top.
• Fill gaps with dunnage or air bags so nothing can shift.
• Ask for a loading plan and photographs of the empty container, each loading stage and the sealed doors.

Insurance and claims

Check which party carries the risk at each stage under your Incoterm, and make sure the cargo is insured for the part you carry. Our Incoterms 2020 guide explains where risk passes.

If goods arrive damaged:

• Note visible damage on the delivery receipt before signing.
• Photograph the container, seal, stowage and each damaged carton before unpacking further.
• Keep the damaged goods and packaging for the surveyor.
• Notify the insurer, carrier and supplier quickly; policies and carriers set time limits for notice.

Claim procedures depend on your policy and contract. This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice.

A short checklist for your order

• Packaging specification attached to the purchase order
• Timber moisture target and measurement method agreed
• Approved sample kept as reference
• Pre-shipment inspection and loading photos arranged
• Desiccants and container condition agreed
• Insurance in place for your share of the risk

See the furniture and home decor page for the product range. To discuss an order, request a quote with the items, materials, quantities and destination.