Large porcelain slabs carry a higher breakage risk in shipping than ordinary tiles, because a long, thin panel cracks if it bends or takes a point load. The risk is real but mostly controllable: most breakage traces back to packing, securing and handling.
There is no standard breakage rate. It depends on size, thickness, packing, route and how often the cargo is handled. What you can do is reduce the causes and agree in advance how breakage is handled.
Where slabs break
- At the factory, when slabs are moved from the sorting line into frames or crates.
- During loading, if frames are lifted unevenly, set down hard, or not braced inside the container.
- At sea, if loose frames shift in heavy weather or strapping loosens.
- At transhipment ports, where containers are lifted and stacked more than once.
- On arrival, when frames are unloaded with the wrong forklift or slabs are lifted flat by hand.
What causes breakage
The same few causes appear again and again:
- Frames or crates too light for the slab size, so they flex under load.
- Slabs resting on uneven supports, so their weight sits on a few points.
- No protection between faces or at corners.
- Strapping too loose, or so tight that it cracks edges.
- Frames not blocked and lashed inside the container, leaving room to slide.
- Damp timber that weakens during a long voyage.
Good packing prevents most of it
Our guide on how large slabs are packed describes what good packing looks like.
How to reduce the risk
- Agree the packing type, materials and slabs per frame in writing, with photos.
- Have loading supervised, with photos of each frame's position, bracing and lashing.
- Choose routes with fewer transhipments where you can.
- Give your receiving warehouse clear unloading instructions before the container arrives.
- Insure the cargo with cover that includes breakage, and read the exclusions.
The arrival end
Unloading is often the riskiest step, because the receiving team may not have handled slabs before. Our guide on unloading and handling slabs gives the method.
What the contract should say
Purchase contracts often set a breakage allowance, a small share of slabs that the buyer accepts without claim. Above it, the supplier replaces or credits the broken slabs. There is no standard figure; it is a matter for negotiation, and it should reflect the packing you have agreed.
The contract should also say how breakage is proven: photos when the container doors are opened, before anything is moved, plus a count against the packing list. It should also say whether replacements ship free in the next order. Our guide on tile breakage claims explains the evidence that insurers and suppliers ask for.
Next step
We agree packing before production, supervise loading and photograph each frame in the container, so you have evidence if anything breaks. To review the risk on your next slab order, book a free sourcing review.