Desiccants & Humidity Control inside ocean going Shipping Containers

[Kely X]

Humidity control and the use of desiccants inside ocean going containers; who is responsible for the buying and including the proper amount of desiccants? This would be for container shipments bound for the USA and include consumer and industrial products in the box.

 

[v9991]

typically, it would be responsibility of the manufacturer himself;
because, establishing the suitability/adequacy of container closure system (packaging) is part of the development process...
and sometimes established through simulated conditions and few instances through transport validation(actually shipping the product and evaluating the product at the end of journey);

having said that, in case of special storage conditions required for the product. viz., maintaining < 5deg C, it becomes responsibility of the transporting-agency. (covered through your technical/quality agreement)

 

[Kely X]

Thank you for your input. The desiccant maker I just joined would like me to contact importers here in the USA and get them to buy or use our desiccants inside the containers of goods they import. The problem is in finding the correct person to make that buying decision here in the USA!? Any thoughts on that would be appreciated.
Grazie,

 

[gpainter]

Review your contract.and make sure it is called out. One of the big problems that we have found with container shipment is the actual condition of the container.

 

[Kely X]

Grazie, thank you. At major USA retailers who would be responsible for that? Would it be transportation, quality control, legal, purchasing, etc? Your input would be most appreciated. KX

 

[gpainter]

We sell thru reps. and i am not sure what they have in their contract. As the manufacturer we are responsible for the proper loading of the container. The freight forwarder is responsible for the dessicant. Again, make sure it is spelled out and agreed to by all parties. If you have moisture isssues-it can be a blame game