Container Loading Inspection — Standard Operating Procedure & Record
1. Purpose & Scope
This procedure ensures that every export container loaded with paprika products meets the required hygiene, safety, and documentation standards before departure. Pre-loading container inspection, in-process loading supervision, and post-loading documentation verification protect product quality during transit and provide evidence for claims if damage occurs.
Scope: All export shipments of paprika products (powder, flakes, whole pods) in shipping containers (20 ft and 40 ft FCL). Applies to loading at Dinweys warehouses and at supplier facilities where Dinweys arranges loading supervision.
2. Equipment & Consumables
| Item | Specification | Purpose |
| Flashlight | LED, 300+ lumens | Inspect container corners, floor, ceiling |
| IR Thermometer | ±0.5°C | Measure container interior temperature |
| Hygrometer | ±3% RH | Measure humidity inside container |
| Camera | Smartphone or digital (12 MP min) | Document pre-load and loading condition |
| Inspection mirror | 360° articulating, telescopic handle | View behind stacked pallets |
| Tape measure | 5 m length | Confirm container interior dimensions |
| PPE | Gloves, safety shoes, dust mask | Protection during inspection |
| Loading plan (printed) | Per container specification | Guide pallet placement |
| Seal | High-security bolt seal | ISO 17712 standards |
| Desiccant bags | Silica gel, 500 g unit bags | Place per loading plan |
| Container liner (if used) | Food-grade PE, full-length roll | Install before loading |
| Label / marking pen | Waterproof, UV-resistant | Label pallet positions |
3. Detailed Procedure — Step by Step
Phase 1: Pre-Loading Container Inspection
Perform BEFORE any product enters the container.
| Step | Action | Critical Points |
| 1.1 | Verify container number matches booking confirmation | Cross-check against shipping documents |
| 1.2 | External inspection — check for dents, holes, rust, structural damage | Any hole >25 mm = reject container |
| 1.3 | Door inspection — hinges, locking rods, door seals | Must open/close smoothly; seals intact |
| 1.4 | Interior floor inspection | Clean, dry, no nails, splinters, or stains (chemical, oil, mold) |
| 1.5 | Interior walls & ceiling | No holes, rust patches, flaking paint, moisture streaks |
| 1.6 | Odor check | Seal container for 5 min, open, and smell. Any chemical/diesel/mold/putrid odor = REJECT container |
| 1.7 | Moisture check | Run hand over floor and lower 30 cm of walls — must be bone dry |
| 1.8 | Reefer container check (if applicable) | Set point confirmed (18–22°C), pre-cooled to temp, vents set per product requirements, data logger present |
| 1.9 | Ventilation check (ambient container) | Top/bottom vents open per climate (50% open for moderate climates, closed for high humidity) |
| 1.10 | Grooves/floor channels | Clear of debris; allow air circulation under pallets |
Pass/Fail: If ANY item fails, REJECT the container and request a replacement. Do NOT load.
Phase 2: Container Preparation
| Step | Action | Details |
| 2.1 | Install container liner (if specified) | Unfold full-length PE liner along floor, draping equally up sides |
| 2.2 | Place dunnage or corner protectors | Cardboard or plastic corner protectors at pallet contact points |
| 2.3 | Pre-position desiccant | 6–12 sachets per 20 ft container, placed on floor along centerline, avoiding contact with pallet bottom (risk of moisture wicking) |
Phase 3: Loading Supervision
| Step | Action | Details |
| 3.1 | Verify pallet condition: intact, dry, no protruding nails | Reject damaged pallets; replace before loading |
| 3.2 | Check stretch wrap: secure, full coverage, no loose tails | Re-wrap if incomplete |
| 3.3 | Confirm pallet label matches container booking (product, grade, batch, net weight) | Mismatch = reject pallet |
| 3.4 | Load pallets per loading plan | Usually: wider load at front → narrower toward door; interlocking pattern for stability |
| 3.5 | Verify air gap at rear doors | Leave 8–10 cm gap between last pallet row and doors for air circulation and to prevent door damage |
| 3.6 | Gap filling between pallets where gaps exceed 15 cm | Use inflatable dunnage bags or cardboard filler to prevent pallet shift during transit |
| 3.7 | For reefer: ensure air channel at rear doors is clear | DO NOT block T-bar floor channels or rear door airflow |
| 3.8 | Record loading pattern (draw or photograph) | Top-view diagram of pallet positions |
Phase 4: Post-Loading Closure
| Step | Action | Details |
| 4.1 | If liner used: fold liner top closed | Fold and tape closed (not sealed — allow minimal air exchange) |
| 4.2 | Install door corner guards | Protect liner from door latch damage |
| 4.3 | Close and lock right door first, then left | Standard container door closing order |
| 4.4 | Apply seal | Thread through door locking mechanism; record seal number; verify seal is ISO 17712 high-security |
| 4.5 | Photograph seal | Close-up showing seal number clearly |
| 4.6 | Record container number and seal number on all documents | |
4. Container Loading Inspection Record
| Field | Value |
| Inspection Date | |
| Inspector Name | |
| Loading Location | |
| Container Number | |
| Seal Number | |
| Container Type | [Ambient / Reefer — ___°C set point] |
| Product Name(s) | |
| Batch Number(s) | |
| Total Pallets Loaded | |
| Total Packages | |
| Net Weight (kg) | |
| Gross Weight (kg) | |
4.2 Pre-Loading Container Inspection
| Check | Pass | Fail | Notes |
| Container clean and dry (floor, walls, ceiling) | | | |
| No odors (chemical, mold, diesel, musty) | | | |
| Floor condition (no nails, splinters, damage) | | | |
| Walls and ceiling (no holes, rust) | | | |
| Door seals (intact, functional) | | | |
| Ventilation settings correct | | | |
| Reefer: pre-cooled to set point | | | |
| Container liner installed (if used) | | | |
4.3 Loading Supervision
| Check | Pass | Fail | N/A | Notes |
| Pallet condition (intact, dry) | | | | |
| Stretch wrap applied properly | | | | |
| Loading pattern documented | | | | |
| Gap filling used to prevent shifting | | | | |
| Desiccant placed (quantity: ___ , location: ___) | | | | |
| Container liner used (food-grade) | | | | |
| Load weight verified (≤ max payload) | | | | |
| Load diagram / photo taken | | | | |
5. Acceptance Criteria & Decision Rules
| Condition | Decision |
| All pre-loading checks pass, loading pattern correct, seal applied | APPROVED FOR SHIPPING |
| Minor issues (e.g., 1–2 pallets re-wrapped during loading) | APPROVED with notes — no further action |
| Container rejected (odor, damage, moisture) | DO NOT LOAD — request replacement container; document with photos |
| Loading pattern unsafe (gaps >20 cm unfilled, pallets unstable) | RE-LOAD — do not close container until pattern corrected |
| Pallet labels mismatch shipment documents | HOLD — verify and correct before closing |
6. Documentation Requirements
The following documents must be collected and filed with the shipment record:
| Document | Required | Notes |
| Container loading inspection report | ✓ | Completed and signed |
| Loading photos (minimum 4: empty container, half-load, full load, seal close-up) | ✓ | Digital copies |
| Weight certificate | ✓ | From weighbridge |
| Packing list | ✓ | Per container |
| Container liner certificate (if used) | ✓ | Food-grade compliance |
| Desiccant specification & batch | ✓ | If desiccant used |
| Reefer data logger file (if reefer) | ✓ | Download and file |
7. Troubleshooting
| Scenario | Corrective Action |
| Container floor has oil/chemical stain | Reject container; request clean replacement |
| Desiccant insufficient for container volume | Add 6 more sachets before closing |
| Pallet count does not match packing list | Recount; do not seal until numbers match |
| Reefer not pre-cooled at loading time | Wait for set point; do NOT load warm product into non-cooled reefer |
| Container seal number differs from booking | Use actual seal number; update all documents |
| Loading completes after dark | Ensure adequate lighting; take photos with flash; note on report |
8. Calibration / Verification
| Equipment | Frequency | Method |
| IR Thermometer | Quarterly | Ice bath / boiling water check |
| Tape measure | Annually | Against certified ruler |
| Weighbridge | Annually | Local metrology authority certification |
9. References
This document is part of the official technical documentation library for paprikabulk.com operated by Dinweys (Qingdao).Co.,Ltd. All rights reserved. For the latest version, visit paprikabulk.com.