CORRUGATED PACKAGING
HANDLING GUIDE

Although corrugated board is exceptionally strong and rigid for its weight, certain established handling guidelines must be followed in order to take advantage of its potential strength. Corrugated packaging allows grouping of goods with different shapes (fruits, bottles, etc) into a uniform, stable, rectangular shape form that is easy to handle, transport and store. It protects the packaged goods by withstanding the forces that could otherwise cause damage, breakage or deterioration.

1. When manually handling bundles of boxes, hold them by the edges; never by the strapping used to secure the bundles.

Why? Pulling bundles by the straps may cause the straps to yield to the weight and bite into the cardboard, damaging its surface and crushing the flutes of the corrugated medium. Consequently, this affects the box’s vertical strength as well as its overall appearance.

2. Handle carefully the bundles of boxes without dropping, throwing or bumping them; whenever possible, use hand trucks or forklifts to move loads.

Why? Careless handling of the packages or bundles leads to the crushing of the corrugated medium flutes and consequently to the decrease in vertical and horizontal compression strength.

3. Bundles of boxes must be stored indoors in clean, dry, covered and well-ventilated warehouses, avoiding humidity, direct sunlight and excesive heat that may damage the printed graphics on the boxes.

Why? The packages, while in contact with moisture, become weaker and consequently reduce their strength. Likewise, when directly exposed to sunlight, the cardboard dries out, becoming brittle and more susceptible to cracking or breaking.

4. Stack bundles of boxes on wooden or plastic platforms or pallets, keeping them off the floor.

WHY? The floor is the main moisture source. At nightime, when the temperature drops, moisture in the air is condensed generating dew on the floor. Besides, accidental water spills will affect the strength of the boxes.

5. Stack bundles of boxes in horizontal position, never vertically.

Why? Packages stored in horizontal position are more stable and at the same time ensure that the boxes are not deformed as this typically happens when stored in a vertical position.

6.Stack the boxes on wooden or plastic pallets, keeping them off the ground.

Why: The ground is the main source of moisture. At night, as the temperature drops, the humidity in the air condenses, forming dew on the ground. Furthermore, accidental water spills will affect the strength of the boxes.

7. When stacking bundles of box packages higher than hand reach, use forklifts or stepladders when possible, never use the boxes as steps.

Why? When stepping on the boxes, the foot crushes the corrugated medium making it lose its original strength.

8. Stack bundles of boxes to a maximum height of 5 meters, interlocking each layer to ensure stack stability and prevent collapse.

Why? Due to the double thickness of corrugated board at the manufacturer’s joint on the flap of each box, the bundles do not provide a completely flat surface, and in consequence, cannot form a stable stack.

9. Use the packages of boxes that have been in storage the longest first, thereby keeping stock rotation.

Why? The less time boxes remain in storage, the better their strength and durability will be.

10.When ungrouping and carrying the bundles of boxes to the packaging area, do not drop, pull or drag the packages during transport.

Why? Careless handling of the packages causes the crushing and a loss of caliper in the corrugated board, directly affecting stacking strength.

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