A machine going by sea needs a seaworthy crate: a strong skid base, a frame sized to the machine's weight, a moisture barrier and solid timber treated to ISPM-15. Packing is part of the product, so you should specify it in the order rather than leave it to the factory's habit.
Most transit damage on machinery comes from three things. The machine shifts inside its crate, water condenses on bare steel, or the crate fails when it is lifted. Good packing deals with all three.
What a seaworthy crate looks like
Ask the factory for a crate drawing before packing starts. It should show these points:
- The machine is bolted to a heavy timber or steel skid through its own foundation holes, not just resting on it.
- The skid has runners deep enough for forklift tines and a clear space for slings.
- The frame and sheathing are sized for the gross weight, with diagonal bracing on large sides.
- Moving parts such as slides, spindles, tables and tailstocks are locked with transit brackets, which are painted a bright colour and listed for removal.
- Machined surfaces carry rust preventive, and the whole machine sits inside a sealed barrier bag or VCI wrap.
- The outside is marked with the centre of gravity, sling points, gross and net weight, "this way up" and "keep dry" symbols, and your shipping marks.
What ISPM-15 requires
ISPM-15 is the international standard for wood packaging material, issued under the International Plant Protection Convention. Its purpose is to stop timber pests moving between countries. Most importing countries enforce it, and customs can refuse, treat or destroy non-compliant packaging at your cost.
Solid wood used in crates, skids, pallets and dunnage must be debarked and then heat-treated or fumigated with methyl bromide. Heat treatment is the common route in India. Each treated piece must carry the IPPC mark, which shows the country code, the registered treatment provider's number and the treatment code, such as HT for heat treatment.
Processed wood such as plywood, OSB and particle board is exempt because manufacturing already deals with pests. Many exporters build crate panels from plywood and use treated solid timber only for the skid and frame. Whatever the mix, every solid wood piece needs the mark, including loose blocking and wedges added at the port.
Some countries apply extra rules or inspection regimes, so ask your customs broker to confirm what your border expects. Compliance with ISPM-15 is the exporter's job in practice, but the delay and cost fall on you if a crate is rejected.
Checks at loading
Packing quality is easy to check before the crate is closed and very hard to check after. During loading supervision, an inspector should photograph the machine bolted to the skid, the transit locks, the barrier wrap and the IPPC stamps on the timber. The packing list should then match crate numbers, dimensions and weights.
For the moisture side, read what VCI packing is and how to prevent rust during sea freight. If the crate is too big for a standard box, see when you need a flat rack or open-top container.
Next step
We check packing specifications with the factory, supervise packing and loading, and send you photographs before the container is sealed. To plan this for your machine, book a free sourcing review.