What Types of Items Are Shipped in Shipping Containers?

Shipping containers offer a versatile and reliable solution for transporting goods worldwide. From raw materials to consumer products, businesses across industries such as manufacturing, retail, agriculture, and construction depend on container shipping for their logistics needs.

This article will cover the key items shipped in containers, plus insights on their use and how to choose the right container for your commodities.

Key Categories of Goods Shipped in Containers

Shipping containers are highly versatile and come in many types, allowing your business to transport any commodity. Some of the most commonly shipped items by container include:

Raw Materials

Raw materials, essential to many industries, are among the goods transported through containerized shipping. Containers prove to be a valuable shipping choice as they can accommodate their bulk and value.

This type of goods will include wood and wooden building materials that need to be securely transported in dry containers, galvanized steel coils that require reinforced containers for safe handling, and fiber polypropylene for textiles and industrial applications, which is often shipped in large quantities.

Consumer Goods

Consumer goods is an umbrella term for all products that cater to global demand in the retail and e-commerce sectors. These include furniture, electronics, health and beauty products, fitness equipment, and more.

Consumer goods are often small but shipped in bulk, requiring large container space for safe and organized transport.

Construction Products

The construction industry is a top user of containerized shipping to safely and effectively transport their supplies and materials. Common commodities shipped by this industry include engineered hardwood flooring, birch plywood core, and heavy machinery.

Containers are essential for the safe transport of these types of goods. Dry or flat-rack containers are often used to ship construction products in bulk securely.

Specialized Products

Specialized products require special handling and shipping conditions. They are typically fragile, sensitive, or require the utmost care to preserve their quality.

Some examples of specialized products shipped in containers include porcelain tiles and engineered hardwood flooring, auto parts, electronics, gifts, and toys.

Agricultural and Food Products

The agriculture and food industries also rely on containerized shipping to transport goods bound for global markets. These industries commonly use containers to ship fertilizer, animal feed, wine and other beverages, and food items.

Most of these commodities will require temperature-controlled containers to preserve product quality. Reefer containers are popular, but regular containers are also used for dry, bulk goods.

Why Shipping Containers Are Suitable for These Goods

Shipping containers come in many types, making them versatile enough to meet different business needs. There are 20-foot and 40-foot containers that can accommodate different shipping volumes. Refrigerated containers are also available for shipments that need to maintain a stable, temperature-controlled environment.

Shipping containers are highly durable and made of robust steel, which can protect shipped goods from external damage during transit. They’re also standardized and compatible with multiple transport modes, simplifying multi-modal logistics.

Tips for Choosing the Right Container for Goods

When opting for containerized shipping, businesses need to be able to choose the right container for their goods. The best choice is one that helps optimize costs and ensure the safety of goods during transit. Some things to consider include:

Container Size

Shipping containers come in 20-foot and 40-foot options. The former can accommodate heavy but compact items, such as auto parts, metals, and tiles. For larger shipping needs, the 40-foot container is best, able to carry bulky goods, from shipping container furniture to consumer products.

Specialized Containers

If your shipment requires special shipping conditions, then you should consider using specialized containers, such as reefers, open-top containers, or flat-rack containers.

Reefers, also known as refrigerated containers, are used for perishable goods, such as food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. They have advanced temperature control systems that keep goods fresh and prevent spoilage during transit.

Open-top containers have removable tops that allow for quick loading of oversized goods that cannot fit through standard container doors. They can also carry tall and awkwardly shaped goods, which are loaded from the top using cranes and other machinery.

Flat rack containers have either collapsible sides or no sides at all. Because of this, they can accommodate wide, tall, or irregularly shaped cargo. This type of container is usually used for shipping heavy equipment, such as machinery and construction materials.

Packaging and Loading

Although shipping containers are highly durable, it pays to follow best practices in packaging and loading your goods to ensure their safety.

Packaging-wise, use pallets, straps, and bubble wrap to secure goods and minimize movement. When loading, consider stacking goods safely to maximize container space. Stacking is particularly useful when shipping clothes and other soft, non-breakable items.

Shipping Containers: The Backbone of Modern Logistics

In modern logistics, shipping containers take center stage, widely considered the most secure and efficient solutions to transport a wide range of goods. Due to their versatility and durability, containers can meet the shipping needs of different industries and support global trade.

Whether you need to transport raw materials or consumer products, you must understand your container options and choose the best one for your shipment. If you need help weighing your options, consult with iContainers and explore tailored solutions for your business.