Inspection of Packing

This article on the inspection of packing will provide you with information about packing inspection of industrial equipment that is ready for shipment.

inspection of packing

Wooden cases, crates, skid bases or saddles, bundles, shrink packaging and drums are widely used for packing of industrial goods.

The purchaser must provide the packing procedure to the equipment manufacturer, and the manufacturer's quality control team must take care of packaging process.

Most of packing procedure are prepared based the BS 1133-8 requirements. The purchaser inspector either second party or third party inspector must carefully inspect the packing based the approved procedure.

When there is no procedure in place, the packing must be inspected directly based the requirements of BS 1138-8 requirements.

For a sample packing procedure, please review the Seaworthy Packing Procedure article.

Most packing falls in two categories: the first one is that the nature of equipment is different for each order and the equipment manufacturer needs to deliver drawings and other information to the packing company for construction.

The other is that the equipment is in unique size and not dependent to the order. In this case, the manufacturers will purchase cases or crates and will do the packing with their own workers.

Inspection of Packing - Important Points

  • Correct packing style i.e. case, crate, bundle
  • Making sure for application of new, sound and seasoned lumber
  • Correct thickness of sheathing (or outer plate)
  • Correct application of bottom cleats and skid runners for easy handling by forklift
  • Ensuring protection of content by waterproof and strong plastic foil
  • Ensuring dryness by using an adequate quantity of moisture absorbent (silica gel)
  • Correct application of material for padding or cushioning such as felt, cellophane paper, polyester cuttings and crepe cellulose
  • Ensuring proper application of lubricant for equipment machinery parts
  • Ensuring application of two un-annealed steel straps in each of two right angled and opposite directions, or where applicable wood re-enforces.
  • Dimensional inspection of cases, crates and other packing style
  • Correct assortment of package
  • Correct package tag (i.e. PO No., LC No., JOB No., etc.)
  • Correct shipping marks
  • Correct cautionary symbols
  • Correct weight indication
  • Correct outer and inner package number