Field procedure
Nine steps to a seaworthy machine pack
1 Clean and dry the machine
Remove coolant, swarf, cutting fluids, free oil pools and standing water. Wipe condensation from cold machines brought into warm halls. Fingerprints and chlorides become corrosion cells under any wrap. Use clean gloves after final wipe-down. Do not start VCI or barrier work on wet metal.
For many export programmes, especially used machines and long storage, also drain residual process fluids that can leak in transit (coolant, hydraulic oil where procedure allows, fuel on mobile equipment). Disconnect or secure batteries per OEM shipping rules. Cap open ports. Tag residual oils that must stay for preservation so goods-in knows what remains.
Pass criteria: no free liquid, no loose chips in ways, surfaces touch-dry, critical cavities inspected, drain/battery actions recorded when applicable.
2 Apply corrosion protection
Protect bright and machined metal with a designed corrosion method. For oil-free assembly receipt, use multimetal-capable VCI film and VCI paper on contact faces. Large cabinets and free volumes may need VCI emitters or foam. Where drawings mandate a wet film, use the correct duration class of rust preventive oil and plan wash at destination. Decision guide: VCI vs rust preventive oil.
How VCI works: how VCI works. Application detail: how to use VCI packaging.
Pass criteria: every critical bright surface has contact wrap or shared sealed air with adequate VCI product; grade matches metal list.
3 Immobilise moving parts
Lock slides, gantries, quills, rams, turrets and rotating assemblies. Back off spring loads where the OEM procedure allows. Secure loose tooling, splash guards and doors. Ship vibration and roll will find any free play. Record lock positions so the receiving plant can reverse them safely.
Pass criteria: no free travel on controlled axes under hand force; loose items bagged and labelled.
4 Anchor to a load-rated skid or base
Bolt the machine through its structural mounting points into a timber or steel skid engineered for shipping mass and dynamic factors. Do not rely on sheet metal panels, paint skins or cosmetic covers. Place pads or isolators only where the design calls for them; random soft foam under a multi-tonne bed can create rocking, not protection. Keep bare machined faces off damp timber; use liners or VCI between metal and wood contact planes.
Pass criteria: load path from machine structure into skid is continuous; fasteners torqued; no rocking on a level floor; metal not resting on wet wood.
5 Seal in a moisture barrier with sized desiccant
Enclose the machine (or the critical free volume) in a moisture barrier bag or liner. Aluminium barrier constructions are preferred for long humid ocean windows; heavy poly barriers may suit shorter controlled routes when specified. Vacuum barrier packing is optional when storage is long or the method sheet requires air draw-down. Place industrial desiccant inside the sealed volume before final close. Size by free air volume, hygroscopic materials and voyage climate using industrial Desiccant Unit practice (DIN 55473 family methods). For full container climate on tropical sailings, add container-level desiccant as a second line of defence.
Products and physics: vacuum and aluminium barrier packing · DIN 55473 · industrial desiccants · container desiccant · container rain · desiccant vs VCI.
Pass criteria: continuous seals, no puncture paths left open, desiccant count written on the packing instruction, metal already dry before close.
6 Build the structural case (crate, box or frame)
Design closed box, open crate or skid-and-frame geometry to the cargo, handling method and weather exposure. Use solid wood packaging material that is ISPM-15 treated and marked for international trade. Cross-brace for ship motion. Protect sharp corners so barrier bags do not tear. Decision context: wooden crate vs box for export · manufacture: export wooden box and crate.
Pass criteria: case matches mass and lift method; ISPM-15 marks legible on solid wood; barrier not pinched by fasteners.
7 Restrain for voyage and unit stowage
Inside the case, block and brace so the machine cannot shift. In the container or on the conveyance, apply CTU-aware lashing and blocking so the unit cannot walk under acceleration. Packaging and stowage share this responsibility: a perfect case poorly lashed can still impact container walls.
Pass criteria: no free play of the unit under reasonable push; lashing points and timber chocks documented.
8 Mark for safe handling
Stencil gross weight, dimensions where required, centre of gravity, lift and sling points, and standard handling symbols (ISO 780 family practice). If only one end may be forked, say so. Unmarked cases invite improvised lifts at terminals worldwide. Marks guide: ISO 780 packaging symbols guide.
Pass criteria: marks readable after rain and handling; lift geometry matches design assumption; case ID matches packing list.
9 Document and release
Issue packing list, mass and dimensions, ISPM-15 / timber evidence as required, and a packing method note that records VCI grade, desiccant count, barrier type and lock positions. Photograph critical stages (bare metal, after VCI, desiccant placement, sealed barrier, closed case, loaded unit) for claims defence. File the instruction with the commercial shipment pack.
Standards map: export packing standards checklist · packing list: export packing list guide · claim context: insufficient packing and marine cargo claims.
Pass criteria: documents match physical case; serials and contents reconciled; photos archived.
Used and second-hand machines (extra discipline)
Used equipment often arrives with residual fluids, missing OEM packing drawings, worn mounting points and unknown corrosion history. Apply the same nine steps with higher survey intensity: drain where required, photograph existing damage before packing, replace weak lifting interfaces, and never assume factory oil films still protect metal. Corrosion and moisture layers matter more, not less, on used capital equipment.