Containers, packaging and loading
The safety of cocoa products in transit depends on the choice of container, the method of packing and compliance with loading requirements. On this page we describe the containers used, the available packing options and the specifics of placing cargo for sea, rail and road transport.
We ship cocoa in standard dry containers: 20-foot (20 DC), 40-foot (40 DC) and 40-foot high cube (40 HC). The 40 HC has the same length and width as the 40 DC, but is 30 cm taller and holds nine cubic metres more, so it suits light, bulky cargo. For heavy products, which reach the permitted weight before filling the available container volume, 20 DC and 40 DC are normally used.
The data below reflect the standard characteristics of containers. Actual figures may differ depending on the specific container and the product carried, so we check them before every shipment.
| Container | Internal size (L × W × H) | Volume | Payload | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft dry (20 DC) | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | About 33 m³ | Up to about 28 t | Smaller lots, heavy products such as butter and mass |
| 40 ft dry (40 DC) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | About 67 m³ | Up to about 26 t | Larger volumes of bagged beans, nibs and powder |
| 40 ft high-cube (40 HC) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | About 76 m³ | Up to about 26 t | Light, bulky cargo with maximum volume |
| Truck (full load) | 13.6 × 2.45 × 2.7 m | About 80–90 m³ | Up to about 24 t | Direct road delivery across Europe |
We supply cocoa products in three formats: 25 kg bags, 1,000 kg pallets and 1,000 kg big bags. The 25 kg bag is the basic unit of packing. Forty bags are placed on one pallet and secured with stretch film. This packing is convenient for handling with a forklift and allows products to be stored without repacking. A big bag is designed for one tonne of product in one package. This format suits customers who use a crane or loaders for unloading and work with large lots of raw material.
The weight of the bags and the way they are placed on pallets are determined individually for each order. The packing meets all requirements and protects the cocoa from moisture and foreign odours in transit.
| Format | Net weight | Handling | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bag | 25 kg | By hand or on a pallet | Smaller orders and mixed loads |
| Pallet | 1,000 kg (40 bags of 25 kg) | Forklift or pallet truck | Regular deliveries and warehouse storage |
| Big bag | 1,000 kg | Forklift or crane, lifted by the loops | Larger batches and industrial processing |
The quantity of product loaded depends on its characteristics and the chosen packing format. The limit may be either the permitted weight or the available volume of the container. A 20 DC container is usually loaded with about 20 pallets or big bags of one tonne each – about 20 tonnes of product in all. A 40 DC or 40 HC holds up to 24–26 tonnes, depending on their permitted payload. The 40 HC is mainly used for light, bulky products, when the container fills by volume before it reaches its weight limit.
Before loading, each container is checked for cleanliness, dryness, structural integrity and the absence of foreign odours. Containers that previously carried cargo with a strong smell, or that show traces of leakage, are not used. The product is loaded evenly and secured with bracing and fastening materials to prevent shifting in transit and keep the cargo in proper condition. When loading and storing sensitive products, above all cocoa butter and cocoa mass, particular attention is paid to temperature. Stable cool conditions help prevent the product from softening and fat bloom from appearing.
For each shipment we determine the number of packing units and the total net weight per container. These data are provided to the buyer in advance for calculating freight, duties and insurance.