Staining, mould, caking, carton collapse and odour pickup in coffee, spice, nut and dried-fruit cargoes can appear after a long journey even when the container looked sound at handover. CTU guidance explains that internal moisture may come from the cargo, timber bracing or pallets, porous packaging and loading conditions, then condense as temperatures change. Effective control is a route-specific file, not simply a few desiccant bags.
The CTU Code is a joint IMO, ILO and UNECE non-mandatory global code for handling, packing and securing cargo transport units. Contract, carrier, port, insurance and destination requirements still need separate confirmation.
Map route and cargo risk before booking. Record cargo type and quantity, expected condition at loading, packaging, dwell time, route, season, day-to-night temperature changes, trans-shipment and destination conditions. Coffee in jute sacks, powdered spices in liners and nuts in cartons do not share the same sensitivity or moisture sources. The control plan must fit the actual cargo, CTU and journey.
Inspect the CTU before loading. It should be clean, dry and free from abnormal odour, unusual light ingress, standing water, hazardous corrosion and visible damage. Review floor, walls, roof, doors, seals and securing points, then record the container number, date and photographs. A unit suitable for one dry cargo may still be unsuitable for an odour- or moisture-sensitive food cargo.
Control moisture in cargo, cartons, pallets and bracing separately. Do not place dry cargo beside wet timber or recently wetted pallets. Cargo and packaging should enter the CTU in the agreed condition and remain protected from rain, recent washing and damp storage. CTU guidance identifies cargo, bracing and pallets as potential internal moisture sources. Record where, when and how condition was checked; a number without context is weak evidence.
Check wood packaging for both dryness and compliance. ISPM 15 is designed to reduce pest movement through raw-wood packaging, including dunnage, while processed wood such as plywood is excluded. Verify the mark and acceptability against current destination rules, but do not confuse treatment with dryness: an ISPM 15 mark alone does not control moisture or provide continuing protection from later contamination.
Calculate liners, barriers and desiccants rather than guessing. Selection should reflect cargo quantity and type, initial moisture, air volume, voyage length, route climate and packaging behaviour. CTU planning guidance notes that desiccant capacity should be calculated and that polythene wrapping can promote mildew when total moisture is high. Installation must remain secure and suitable for the food application, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Design stowage, securing and airflow together. Distribute weight within structural and floor limits, block hazardous voids and avoid crushing or puncturing packages. Protect packs from route-relevant condensation or ingress risks according to the container and loading design. Do not blindly close or open vents; ventilation decisions must suit the CTU, cargo, route and carrier instructions. The goal is stable cargo without damp pockets or mechanical damage.
Do not co-load incompatible goods. Wet, odorous, chemical or contaminated goods can affect porous food packaging and sensitive products. Review previous cargo where available, floor and wall odour and the compatibility of every item. If several food families share a CTU, define physical separation, odour compatibility, stowage and responsibility before loading.
Complete the loading evidence before sealing. The file should include container number, lot IDs, package count, CTU condition, recorded moisture or condition, type and quantity of moisture-control material, stowage plan, loading-stage photographs, seal number, door-closing time and reviewer. Record any change made after the final photograph. This evidence supports operational control, handover, insurance review and damage investigation.
Plan destination opening as part of the shipment. Before moving the cargo, record arrival time, seal condition, initial odour, condensation, visibly wet or deformed packs and damage location. Avoid taking only a convenience sample from the doors. Align claim notification, segregation and evidence preservation with the contract and insurer so that cause analysis remains possible.
Container moisture control is not the purchase of one accessory. It is the coordination of cargo, packaging, timber, CTU, route, stowage and evidence. When those decisions are documented before loading, a global buyer has a stronger chance of preventing loss, defending the handover and resolving discrepancies faster.
Use the guide to improve the brief—not to replace order verification.
Final quantity, sales unit, stock, price and timing remain order-specific.
