What is loaded into a container determines which type of container to choose, how to secure it, and how charges are calculated. A container is both a packaging container and a transport container. Before loading, first determine which category the cargo belongs to, then choose the container type and loading method accordingly; this can reduce cargo damage and improve space utilization inside the container. This article sorts out common cargo classifications along two lines: "degree of adaptability to containerization" and "nature of the goods."
1. Classification by Suitability for Containerization
Whether it is cost-effective to ship the same batch of goods by container depends on the properties of the goods and the freight rate level; in the industry, they are usually divided into four tiers.
| Tier | Distinguishing characteristics | Typical goods |
|---|---|---|
| Goods best suited to containerization | Weight, volume, shape, and packaging can match the container's payload and capacity well, while the cargo value and freight rate are relatively high | Small precision machinery, instruments, textiles, pharmaceutical products |
| Goods suited to containerization | Their physical properties are likewise suitable, but the cargo value and freight rate are lower than the previous tier | Daily consumer goods, electrical appliances and electrical materials, raw hides |
| Marginal containerizable goods | They can be containerized or not; the cargo value and freight rate are relatively low, and the economic benefit of containerization is not obvious | Pig iron, logs, rice, feed |
| Goods not suited to containerization | Their dimensions or individual piece weight exceed the container's loading capacity | Bridge components, steel rails, large mechanical equipment |
II. Classification by Cargo Nature
According to their nature, cargo can be divided into three categories: general cargo, typical cargo, and special cargo. Among these, typical cargo and special cargo directly determine the container loading method.
1. General Cargo
General cargo, also called miscellaneous cargo, refers to cargo that does not require special storage and handling conditions. It usually comes in small batches and many varieties. It is further divided into two types according to whether it may contaminate other cargo.
- Clean cargo: It is clean and dry, has no special requirements for storage and transportation, and is unlikely to cause contamination when mixed with other cargo, such as textiles, cotton, hemp, fiber products, rubber products, and toys.
- Contaminating cargo: Its own nature or condition makes it prone to moisture, heat, and odors, and it may cause wet damage, contamination, or taint to other cargo, such as cement, graphite, grease, asphalt, camphor, and pepper.
2. Typical Cargo
Typical cargo refers to cargo that has already been packaged and needs to be loaded by corresponding methods according to its packaging form. It has relatively high loading and unloading requirements.
| Type | Packaging Form | Typical Cargo and Handling Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Case cargo | Cardboard boxes, metal boxes, wooden boxes | Small boxes can be loaded and unloaded manually; large boxes are generally handled by forklifts |
| Corrugated cardboard box cargo | Corrugated boxes | Relatively light and delicate cargo, such as fruit, alcoholic beverages, office supplies, handicrafts, and toys |
| Bagged cargo | Bags of various materials | Powdered and granular cargo is mostly bagged |
| Baled cargo | Strapping packaging | Fiber products, wool, cotton, cotton cloth, and paper |
| Cylindrical and reel cargo | Coiled, cylindrical | Roll paper, steel coils, wire ropes, and cables are reel cargo; plastic film and steel cylinders are cylindrical cargo |
| Drum and barrel cargo | Drums, wooden barrels | Liquid and powdered chemical products, alcohol, syrup, and various oils and fats |
| Oversized cargo | — | Cargo with a relatively large single-piece size (mostly in the length direction) or relatively heavy weight |
| Palletized cargo | Pallets | Cargo that must itself be placed on pallets for mechanical handling |
| Dangerous goods | Packaged according to IMDG rules | Has toxic, radioactive, flammable, corrosive, oxidizing, and other characteristics, and may endanger personal health and property safety |
3. Special Cargo
Special cargo refers to cargo with special forms that requires corresponding special containers for transportation.
- Overheight, overlength, overwidth, and overweight cargo: Dimensions or single-piece weight exceed the loading capacity of international standard containers, such as power cables and large and heavy mechanical equipment.
- Liquid or gas cargo: Must be transported in containers such as barrels, boxes, tanks, and bottles, such as alcohol, soy sauce, glucose, petroleum, latex, and natural gas.
- Break-bulk cargo: Cargo that cannot be loaded into one container due to its size or weight and must be carried by consolidating multiple containers.
- Bulk cargo: Cargo loaded in bulk in the hold without packaging, such as salt, grain, coal, ore, malt, resin, and clay.
- Animal and plant quarantine cargo: Imported and exported livestock products, live animals, and plant quarantine goods, such as pork, cured meat, wool, hides, and nursery stock.
- Refrigerated cargo: Must be kept below normal temperature during transportation, such as meat products, eggs, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products.
- Valuable cargo: Cargo with a relatively high unit value, such as precision instruments, home appliances, handicrafts, and jewelry.
- Perishable cargo: Cargo prone to spoilage and deterioration due to poor ventilation or exposure to high temperature or humidity, such as meat products, fruit, and vegetables.
Further Reading
- Encyclopedia of Container Types: Parameter comparison and selection guide for 8 common container types
- Container Dimensions and Specifications: Internal and external dimensions and weight limits for 20GP/40GP/40HQ/45HQ
- Loading Methods for Typical Cargo
- Loading Requirements for Over-Length Cargo · Loading Requirements for Liquid Cargo · Loading Requirements for Quarantine Cargo
- Dangerous Goods Container Transport: IMDG Code, marking and placarding, and declaration requirements
- Container Knowledge Center: Dimensions and specifications, container type selection, container loading standards, and shipping costs
- What is a loaded container: how it differs from an empty box and the pick-up/return cycle
- Container sweat damage: causes and prevention of sweat on container and cargo
Frequently Asked Questions
If a single shipment contains both general cargo and dangerous goods, can they be loaded in the same container?
Generally, no. Dangerous goods must be segregated in accordance with the IMDG Code; mixing them with general cargo is subject to the segregation table, and separate declaration documents and a container packing certificate are required. If mixing is genuinely required, a qualified party should first determine the segregation requirements, and then arrange loading.
The cargo is classified as “borderline container cargo”—is it still necessary to use containers?
A comprehensive assessment should be made based on cost and timeliness. The economies of scale from containerizing this type of cargo are limited. If the volume is large and the timeliness requirement is not high, bulk carriers or breakbulk shipping may be more economical; if the volume is small and it needs to be consolidated with other cargo, LCL shipping is still feasible. In actual selection, compare the charging methods and delivery times of the two options.
To check container availability, sailing schedules and loading options for a specific route, submit an enquiry online and the Bofeng Logistics team will assess it against your actual cargo.
This article was prepared by the Bofeng Logistics team and reviewed in October 2026. Industry practices and data change over time; refer to carrier booking confirmations and current authority regulations for specifics.
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