Special cargo container shipping loading

Loading Methods for Quarantine Cargo in Container Shipping

In general, animal and plant quarantine should be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the exporting country. However, some countries stipulate that the import of animals and plants must be inspected and licensed by quarantine officials before they can be imported. Animal or plant cargo may carry pests, bacteria, or pathogens, and must be quarantined upon import. Goods requiring quarantine must be inspected and approved before they can be imported; if they fail inspection, they may only be imported after fumigation or disinfection according to the importing country's regulations, and some may only be disposed of by incineration.

1. Animal Quarantine and Loading

The objects of animal quarantine usually refer to live animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs, as well as livestock products made from these animals, such as cattle hides, wool, rabbit fur, pork, and sausages. There are two types of marine containers for transporting such cargo: sealed and non-sealed.

Basic Contents of Quarantine

Different countries have different specific quarantine regulations; the basic contents are:

• The quarantine targets are containers carrying live animals or livestock products made from them. When general cargo is mixed with livestock products, the container must not be opened until the inspection is completed; it can only be opened and the goods removed after disinfection treatment together with the livestock products.
• Live animals must undergo quarantine at the first port of entry.
• Generally, a 5% cresol solution is used for disinfection.

Aspects to Note When Loading

• Live animals should be loaded as much as possible in positions on deck that are less affected by wind and waves; ideally, they should be sheltered by general cargo containers around them to reduce attack from wind and waves.
• It is required to have convenient water supply and passages around, so as to facilitate feeding and cleaning during the voyage.
• Livestock products are generally loaded in ventilated containers. For example, hides may leak liquid during transport, so containers with liquid tanks should be selected for shipment.

2. Plant Quarantine and Loading

Plant quarantine: Among goods requiring plant quarantine, food items generally include grains such as malt, fruits such as lemons and oranges, and vegetables such as potatoes; non-food items include wood and grass products. For containerized maritime import quarantine, specific circumstances should be handled in accordance with the relevant rules of each country. The quarantine site should in principle be at the designated place at the wharf where the container is discharged; if quarantine cannot be performed at that location, it shall be carried out at a place designated by quarantine officers. If goods fail plant quarantine, i.e., pests are found on plants or they are determined to be harmful plants, fumigation and disinfection or on-site burial shall be carried out as directed by the quarantine authority.

Loading of plant goods: Among goods requiring quarantine, grains are mainly malt, fruits and vegetables are mainly citrus, and wood is mainly walnut wood.

• Malt can be loaded using the bulk cargo loading method.
• Citrus goods are generally packed in corrugated cardboard boxes to facilitate plant quarantine, and are usually loaded in refrigerated containers.
• Wood should be loaded in a flat rack container, but the flat rack container must be equipped with stanchions; otherwise, the cargo may collapse during transit. Wood can also be loaded in an open-top container, but the loading operation is more complicated and can easily damage the container.

Further reading: Over-length cargo loading, Bulk cargo loading for grain bulk; Reefer cargo loading covers refrigerated transport of fruits and vegetables.

FAQ on Loading of Quarantine Cargo

Q: Which goods require animal and plant quarantine?

A: Animal quarantine targets include live animals such as cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs, as well as animal products such as cowhide, wool, and rabbit fur; plant quarantine includes grains such as malt, fruits such as lemons and oranges, vegetables such as potatoes, as well as wood and grass products.

Q: What happens to goods that fail quarantine?

A: According to the importing country's regulations, they can only be imported after fumigation or disinfection; some may only be disposed of by incineration. If pests are found in plants or they are determined to be harmful plants, fumigation/disinfection or on-site burial shall be carried out as directed by the quarantine authorities.

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Disclaimer: This article was compiled by the Bofeng Logistics team and verified as of August 2026. Cargo loading practices may change with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code), carrier policies and industry standards; always refer to the carrier's current requirements for your container loading.