It is important for you to select a way to control moisture if you plan to ship your products in wooden crates. This article discusses some of the considerations that will influence your choice of the most appropriate moisture control method.
The Product Type
The first thing that you should have in mind when selecting a moisture control system is the kind of product that you intend to ship. For example, it may be unwise to use silica gel desiccants if you want to package food items in timber crates. This is because such desiccants can pose some health hazards, such as irritating the respiratory tract, if inhaled or ingested. It is therefore vital for you to read the safety data sheets that come with any moisture control product so that you select the product that will suit the items that you wish to package and ship.
Shipping or Storage Duration
You also need to think about how long your crates may spend during the process of shipping and storing them before they reach the final consumer/user. The moisture control product that you select should be able to remain effective for that entire duration. For example, a crate that will be shipped by air may need a less powerful moisture control product since it will reach its destination in a few days. Conversely, a similar product that will be shipped by sea may take several weeks to reach the destination. Consequently, you may need a longer-acting moisture control product for the products that will be transported by sea. Remember to account for the storage duration as well after consulting your distributors.
Humidity and Temperature Ranges
The temperature and relative humidity during transportation should also be thought about when selecting moisture control products. Consider the anticipated route and the prevailing conditions on that route when selecting the moisture control product. Pick a product that is designed to handle more humidity than you expect so that the moisture control product doesn't stop being effective if the humidity and the temperature turns out to be greater than what was anticipated. For example, desiccants usually have a maximum amount of moisture that they can absorb before they need to be rejuvenated by exposing them to heat. Place extra desiccants in the wooden crate so that you have excess absorption capacity as an assurance that your goods will remain moisture-free throughout the journey.
Work with the wooden crate supplier to assess the different moisture control products that are available on the market. That expert will use his or her experience to recommend the most appropriate product to protect your shipment.