Reference guide
Packaging guide for road freight
Most damage claims start at packing. What to use for each kind of load, and what goes wrong without it.
Most damage claims start at packing. This free Safe & Secure Logistics guide explains how to pack cartons, textile bales, pallets, machinery, chilled goods and export cargo for Indian road freight. It also covers ISO 780 handling marks, ISPM 15 for wooden packing and how to protect loads in the monsoon.
| Load | Pack it like this | What goes wrong otherwise |
|---|---|---|
| Cartons (FMCG, parts) | Corrugated boxes rated for the stack weight; fill voids; tape the H-seam | Crushed bottom cartons in a part-load stack |
| Textile bales | Compress, wrap in HDPE or hessian, strap at least twice; mark on two faces | Water damage and torn wraps at hubs |
| Palletised loads | Standard 1,200 × 1,000 mm pallet; stretch-wrap to the pallet; corner boards; no overhang | Loads shifting off the deck; forks piercing cartons |
| Machinery | Skid or crate; drain fluids where required; mark lifting and lashing points and centre of gravity | Tipping during lifting; damage from loose lashing |
| Open-body loads | Tarpaulin plus rope or straps; protect edges; cover fully in the monsoon | Rain damage; load loss on bends |
| Chilled and frozen | Pre-cooled product; cartons that allow airflow; no stacking above the reefer load line | Hot spots from blocked airflow |
| Chemicals (packed) | UN-approved packaging where the product is dangerous goods; labels and SDS | Leaks; wrong segregation with food |
| Export cargo | Wood packaging heat-treated and marked under ISPM 15; moisture protection for sea | Rejection at destination for untreated wood |
How it works
The method, and its limits
Mark every package
- Consignee name and destination town
- LR (consignment note) number and package count, e.g. “3 of 12”
- ISO 780 handling marks where they apply
- Gross weight on anything over one person’s safe lift
Good packaging also lowers your bill: part-loads pay on chargeable weight. Check yours with the volumetric weight calculator.
Sources
Where the figures come from
- ISO 780: Packaging: pictorial marking for handling of goods
- IPPC: ISPM 15, Regulation of wood packaging material in international trade
Figures are general information, checked on 29 Sep 2026. Rules change; follow the source before acting.
Frequently asked questions
How should I pack goods for a part-load shipment?
Strong cartons rated for stacking, voids filled, every package marked with the consignee, destination and LR number on at least two faces. Part-loads are handled several times at hubs.
What handling marks should I use?
The ISO 780 pictograms: this way up, fragile, keep dry, do not stack, centre of gravity and sling here are the most used.
What is ISPM 15?
The international standard for wood packaging in trade: pallets and crates must be heat-treated or fumigated and carry the IPPC mark, or they may be refused abroad.
How do I protect goods in the monsoon?
Waterproof inner wrap, pallets that keep cartons off the floor, closed-body trucks where possible, and a full tarpaulin cover on open bodies.
Does packaging affect freight cost?
Yes. Part-loads are charged on the higher of actual and volumetric weight, so oversized cartons pay for air. Right-size packaging to cut chargeable weight.
Who is responsible for packaging?
The shipper. Carriers can refuse or limit liability for damage caused by inadequate packing, so good packaging protects your claim too.
Should every package carry the LR number?
Yes. Mark every package with the consignee and the lorry-receipt number so hub staff can match it to the manifest.
How heavy should a hand-loaded package be?
Keep packages that will be loaded by hand to a weight one or two people can lift safely; heavier items should be palletised for forklifts.
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