I. Anti-rust Requirements
What factors determine anti-rust requirements?
Based on industry practices, requirements are established as follows: Anti-rust methods—oil-based rust preventatives (long-lasting protection but require cleaning before assembly), water-based or solvent-based corrosion inhibitors (leave a low-residue film that is easy to remove), Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCI)—films, bags, or paper products that release corrosion-inhibiting agents to form a molecular layer on the metal surface (parts can be bagged directly without applying rust-preventive oil and assembled immediately upon arrival), and desiccant-based drying methods; Anti-rust packaging grades—three levels defined by GB/T 4879: Level 1 (2-year protection; for environments with temperatures >30°C and relative humidity >90%, corrosion-prone products, and valuable precision parts), Level 2 (1-year protection; temperatures 20–30°C, humidity 70–90%), and Level 3 (6-month protection; temperatures <20°C, humidity <70%, products not prone to corrosion); Material compatibility—selecting anti-rust methods based on material and process (for corrosion-prone steel, choose rust-preventive oil, VCI, or moisture-barrier layers based on surface treatment, storage duration, logistics route, and end-use); stainless steel also requires cleaning and drying to prevent chloride ion contamination—anti-rust protection is not merely about applying oil;
it is a system that balances the required protection period, the environment, and the material.
II. Anti-scratch Requirements
What factors determine anti-scratch requirements?
Based on industry packaging practices, scratch-prevention requirements are defined as follows: Contact protection—use soft wrapping, foam liners, and separators for points of contact between parts, surfaces prone to scratching, plated or polished components, and visible exterior areas; Machined surfaces—metal machined surfaces must be sprayed with anti-rust oil and sealed with anti-rust film (avoid standard PE film or bubble wrap, as these can cause yellowing and rusting within seven days during sea transport or the rainy season); Precision parts—use custom foam inserts and packaging matched to the material and geometry; ESD—use anti-static (ESD) bags for electronic components; Vacuum—vacuum-pack large precision equipment (apply a base wrap and rain cover/thin film to the bare unit, line the wooden crate with aluminum-plastic composite film, and use EPE foam cushioning at the top and bottom to prevent puncturing the aluminum film); Packaging performance—verify via drop tests and control transport damage rates to below 0.1%. The key to preventing scratches is ensuring there is always a cushioning layer between parts and that machined surfaces remain fully wrapped.
III.
Moisture-Proofing Requirements
What to consider regarding moisture-proofing requirements.
Based on industry best practices for moisture protection, requirements are established as follows: Desiccants—Use container desiccants for sea shipments or when dealing with cardboard, wood, electronics, or bare metal; place them both inside the product packaging (for sensitive goods) and at the container level. Adequate Quantity—Determine the amount of desiccant in advance based on equipment volume and the duration of transport; do not simply toss in a couple of packets as a token gesture (if insufficient desiccant is placed inside a vacuum bag, moisture condensing on the equipment surface can cause oxidation or, more severely, damage electronic control components). Dosage Standards—Follow DIN 55473 minimum dosage guidelines: 16 units per cubic meter for moderate corrosion risk (e.g., galvanized stamped parts, yellow passivated parts) and 8 units per cubic meter for low corrosion risk (e.g., stainless steel, parts with thick powder coating). Environmental Conditions—VCI corrosion inhibitor effectiveness decreases when relative humidity exceeds 75%; do not store or transport at temperatures above 40°C; avoid direct sunlight and heat sources; allow hot metal to cool before packaging. Vacuum Verification—After vacuum sealing, verify airtightness before securing the wooden crate.
Moisture Protection Strategy—Three layers: adequate desiccant, sealed barrier layer, and airtightness verification.
4. Outer Packaging
Key requirements for outer packaging.
Based on industry best practices, external packaging requirements are defined as follows: Wooden crates—plywood crates (ISPM 15 compliant) are preferred over corrugated cardboard boxes due to superior strength against forklift punctures and stacking loads; export wooden crates must undergo fumigation and bear the ISPM 15 mark to avoid customs detention. Pallets—solid wood pallets for sea freight must carry the IPPC fumigation mark and feature edge protectors to prevent stretch wrap from damaging carton corners; plywood pallets are exempt from fumigation. Cartons—5-layer or 7-layer corrugated boxes are suitable only for small, lightweight parts. Reinforcement—large or heavy items require wooden crates or frames to prevent shifting or tipping; proper sizing, professional carpentry, and reinforcement measures are essential. Wrapping—stretch wrap must secure the entire pallet load. Internal layering—prevents deformation due to compression; moisture/rust protection for sea freight—external packaging serves as the final line of defense: fumigation marking, pallet edge protectors, and stretch-wrap securing are all mandatory requirements.
V.
Labeling and Acceptance
What to look for regarding labeling and acceptance.
Based on industry packaging standards, the acceptance criteria for markings are defined as follows: Markings—Each shipping carton must bear clearly visible, durable labels and symbols indicating “Keep Dry,” “Handle with Care,” and “This Side Up” (graphics must comply with GB/T 191 and GB 190 standards); export cartons must also display pest control treatment marks. Label Content—Labels must be securely affixed to the designated location on the packaging surface; shipping marks and packing lists must be securely attached to a prominent position on the secondary packaging. Information must include necessary cargo and packaging details, meet the requirements of overseas customers and export operations, and feature a clear, undamaged layout. Accompanying Documents—Packing list, certificate of conformity, and operation manual. Acceptance Testing—Packaging performance must pass standard cycle tests before mass export: each test cycle consists of 2 days of indoor exposure followed by 5 days in a damp-heat chamber. Packaging rated for 6 months requires 1 cycle; 12 months, 2 cycles; and 24 months, 3 cycles. A result is considered acceptable if there is zero corrosion on the bearing surfaces. Standards Basis—GB/T 13384 (General Technical Conditions for Packaging of Electromechanical Products), GB/T 4879 (Rust-proof Packaging), and T/CPF 0075 (General Technical Requirements for Export Packaging of Complete Sets of Automotive Parts). Packaging acceptance is granted only if markings are clear, packing lists are complete, and damp-heat tests are passed.
Conclusion
What are the requirements for the custom packaging of automation components?
The conclusion is that there are five categories of requirements: rust prevention, scratch prevention, moisture protection, outer packaging, and markings.
Rust prevention—Uses oil-based or water-based VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) agents and desiccants, adhering to GB/T 4879 standards (Level 1: 2 years; Level 2: 1 year; Level 3: 6 months); VCI bags allow for direct bagging without applying oil, enabling immediate assembly upon arrival (as oil can interfere with bonding, painting, or thread locking); Scratch prevention—Soft wrapping, layered foam inserts for separation, anti-rust oil and film on machined surfaces, custom foam liners, and ESD bags; drop tests show a transport damage rate of <0.1%; Moisture prevention—Adequate desiccant volume (DIN 55473: 16 units/m³ for moderate corrosion, 8 units/m³ for low corrosion), desiccants included in vacuum bags, airtightness verification after vacuum sealing, and VCI protection from high heat/sun exposure (storage/transport prohibited above 40°C; effectiveness drops above 75% humidity); Outer packaging—Plywood crates (ISPM 15 fumigation mark), solid wood pallets (IPPC fumigation mark), 5–7 layer corrugated boxes (small items only), and pallet edge protectors with stretch wrap; Labeling & Acceptance—Moisture-proof, "Handle with Care," and "This Side Up" markings (GB/T 191, GB 190), packing lists, certificates of conformity, and accompanying documents;
testing involves 2 days of indoor exposure followed by 5 days of cyclic damp-heat testing (passing requires zero rust: 1 cycle for 6-month grade, 2 cycles for 12-month grade, 3 cycles for 24-month grade).
Industry standard for custom packaging requirements: Rust prevention based on material, scratch protection based on precision, moisture protection based on shipping method, fumigation based on export requirements, and labeling based on contract specifications.
