Wondering how to maximise the space in your shipping container for ease of packing? While all containers have limited space, there are a variety of clever ways to make sure you aren’t wasting valuable space. 

As experts in all things containers, we’ve put together this easy-to-follow guide for how to save space and fit more into your shipping container than ever before. 

Why It Matters How You Pack

An under-packed or poorly packed container can actually lead to damage to the goods within the container. You should always choose the correct size container for your needs and ensure that you pack things for a final firm fit. 

Too much space between items allows for things to move during transit. Loose cargo could see you unpacking broken or damaged items at the end of their journey this is why a full container load should be tight and organised. 

How To Pack Like A Pro

To ensure the smoothest and most effective packing of your container, we recommend doing the following. 

Assess Your Needs

Take time to assess what you need to store and how much space you really will need. If your storage needs fall between two sizes of container we suggest sizing down and looking at ways to condense what you have.

Opting for a container that is too big is not cost-effective and as mentioned above, could see your items being too loosely packed, leading to damage. The caveat to this is if your container is for storage space and will not be moved once placed down. 

Optimise The Space 

Optimising the available space in shipping containers can see you have a much easier time packing (and unpacking) and being able to fit in as much as possible. This also helps ensure your goods are safe and secure in transit.

Clever ways to optimise space include packing under and around pieces of furniture, using packing containers that interlock, palletizing goods and more. 

For containers that won’t be moved, installing shelving and hooks can also help you to make the most of the space while also aiding in accessibility. In some cases, you may also like to hang items from the roof of the container – using vertical space is a great way to maximise the space. 

Plan Ahead

Perhaps the most important step is to properly measure the floor space and height of the container and apply this to what you intend to pack. 

If using pallets, be sure to factor in the pallet dimensions too. While this can vary depending on the type of pallet used, standard pallets are 1.2 metres by 80 centimetres (1200mm x 800mm).

Pallet manufacturers construct these in accordance with an approved ISO shipping pallet list, so no matter where you are your pallets should be one of six approved sizes (as per ISO 6780). This should make it easier to plan for your packing. 

Consider Temperature Control 

While not always necessary, having the option to control the temperature inside your container can go a long way towards making the most of your space. If you cannot control the temperature, having many things jammed in and touching could see mould or mildew develop in humid environments. 

This is more common in unmoved storage containers with minimal ventilation or lengthy ocean voyages but is still worth considering depending on what you are packing. 

Speak With The Experts

At Shipping Containers Brisbane, we are the unmatched experts when it comes to containers. Offering both new and used containers to rent or buy, we can help you find the right size shipping container and guide you on how to make the most of all available space. 

We recognise that everyone’s needs are different and work closely with you to not only find the right sized container, but one at the right price.

With delivery available Australia-wide and a vast network of shipping partners, we ensure your goods are safe and get to where they need to go. To learn more, contact our team today at (07) 3185 2170