Most export dyes and pigments are packed in drums, cartons or bags with a sealed plastic liner, then stacked on pallets and shrink-wrapped. Liquids go in plastic drums or intermediate bulk containers, called IBCs.
The aim is simple. Keep moisture and contamination out, stop packs bursting, and make sure every pack can be traced to its lot.
Packing also affects how much you can load into a container. Drums, cartons and bags each stack differently. Ask the supplier for the pack count and net weight it can load per container in your chosen pack, so you can compare offers fairly.
Common pack types
- Fibre drums with a polyethylene liner are widely used for dye powders and granules.
- HDPE drums with lids are used for powders that need more protection and for liquid dyes.
- Corrugated cartons with a sealed liner bag are common for smaller packs and for pigments.
- Multi-wall paper bags or woven polypropylene bags with a liner are used for pigments and some bulk dyes.
- IBCs, usually around 1,000 litres, are used for larger volumes of liquid dyes and pigment dispersions.
What to specify
- Specify the net weight per pack, the pack type and the liner, and ask for a photo of a packed sample.
- Ask for the liner to be heat-sealed or tied tightly, since moisture is the main enemy of dye powders.
- Ask for heat-treated or plastic pallets marked under ISPM 15 if wood is used, since many countries require it.
- Ask for labels on every pack with product name, lot number, manufacturing date, net weight and hazard labels where needed.
- Ask for the packing list to show lot numbers per pallet, so you can trace any problem.
- Ask for desiccant bags in the container if the voyage is long or humid.
- Ask for drums to be closed with tamper-evident seals, so you can see if a pack was opened.
Hazard labelling and dangerous goods
Many dyes are not dangerous goods for transport, but some are. Certain liquid dyes, dyes with solvents and some fine powders can carry transport classes or GHS hazard labels. The transport section of the safety data sheet states the classification.
If a product is dangerous goods, it must go in UN-approved packaging, carry the right marks and labels, and be declared by the shipper. The shipper is legally responsible for the declaration, so confirm the class with your forwarder before booking. Read the documents your broker will ask for as well.
Ask about pallet height and weight limits too. Stacked drums that lean or crush in transit cause many of the damage claims in dye shipments.
Next step
We check packing, labels and lot marks during loading and photograph each container before it is sealed. To set this up, book a free sourcing review.