How to Pack Your Goods for Sea Cargo to Nigeria: A Damage Prevention Guide

Sea cargo is cost-effective and practical for large, heavy, or bulky shipments. But it’s a long journey — weeks in transit, with the goods subject to vibration, stacking pressure, humidity changes, and temperature variation. A box that would survive a 24-hour air journey will not necessarily survive six weeks on a container ship.

This guide tells you what to use, what to avoid, and how to pack specific types of goods to minimise damage risk.

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Why Packing Matters More for Sea Than Air

The sea cargo journey from the UK to Nigeria involves:

• Loading and unloading at the UK freight depot
• Transport to the UK port
• Loading into a container
• 7–10 days at sea (with movement, vibration, and salt air)
• Unloading at Apapa port, Lagos
• Container storage in the terminal while awaiting clearance
• Final road delivery to the Nigerian address

That’s a minimum of four separate handling events and up to six weeks of transit. The container environment — particularly temperature fluctuation and humidity — is tougher than most people expect. Humidity inside a container can cause condensation, and condensation damages electronics, corrodes metals, and causes mould on fabric.

Good packing is not optional.

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Materials You Need

Essential

Double-wall (or better) cardboard boxes Single-wall cardboard boxes — the kind your supermarket online order arrives in — are not adequate for sea cargo. Use double-wall boxes designed for moving or shipping. Banana boxes (the thick waxed ones from greengrocers) are excellent and widely available free.

Bubble wrap For wrapping individual fragile items — glasses, ceramics, electronics, framed photos. Use large bubble rather than small bubble for more protection.

Packing peanuts or foam To fill void space inside boxes and prevent items shifting. Shifting during transit is a major cause of damage to fragile items.

Silica gel / moisture absorbers Small silica gel sachets inside your boxes absorb moisture and reduce condensation damage. They’re inexpensive, lightweight, and make a real difference over a 4–6 week voyage. Buy in bulk — they’re cheap online.

Packing tape Heavy-duty tape (48mm wide, brown parcel tape) is the standard. Do not use sellotape or thin tape. Seal all seams on the box — both the bottom and top joins — with multiple strips of tape. Reinforce corners.

For Larger Loads

Stretch wrap / pallet wrap If you’re sending multiple boxes that we’re palletising, stretch wrap helps hold them together and provides a layer of protection against moisture.

Moisture barrier wrap For high-value electronics or appliances going by sea, a moisture barrier wrap (vapour barrier bag) around the original packaging adds significant protection.

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How to Pack Specific Items

Fragile Items (Ceramics, Glassware, Picture Frames)

1. Wrap each item individually in bubble wrap — minimum two layers for fragile pieces
2. Place heavier items at the bottom of the box, lighter items on top
3. Fill all void spaces with packing peanuts or crumpled paper — no item should be able to move inside the box when you shake it
4. Place the most fragile items in the centre of the box, away from the walls
5. Mark the box “FRAGILE” on multiple sides

Electronics for Sea Cargo

1. Use original packaging where possible — it’s designed for the product
2. If no original packaging: wrap the device in anti-static bubble wrap, then place in a close-fitting inner box with foam inserts
3. Add silica gel sachets to the inner box
4. Place the inner box inside a larger outer box with at least 5cm of padding on all sides
5. Remove batteries where possible or ensure devices are powered off
6. Mark: “FRAGILE — ELECTRONICS — THIS WAY UP”

Clothing

1. Use vacuum storage bags — they compress clothing significantly (saving space and therefore cost), and they provide moisture and odour protection
2. Hard-sided suitcases inside boxes provide additional protection for items you want to keep wrinkle-free
3. Label vacuum bags with a brief description of contents (makes delivery easier)
4. If not using vacuum bags, fold clothing into clean plastic bags before placing in the box — adds moisture protection

Food and Grocery Items

1. Seal all food items in airtight containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags before boxing
2. Keep food in separate boxes from clothing and electronics — in the unlikely event of a spill or leakage, it won’t affect other goods
3. Pack heavier tins at the bottom, lighter/fragile food items at the top
4. Do not include perishable, fresh, or frozen food — only dried and packaged goods

Kitchen Appliances

1. If you have the original box, use it with the original foam inserts
2. If not, wrap in bubble wrap, pad all around with foam or packing peanuts, and double-box
3. Secure any loose parts (lids, bowls, attachments) separately in bubble wrap before placing in the main packaging
4. Add silica gel for appliances with metal components

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Labelling Requirements

Every box in your shipment must be clearly labelled on the outside. Include:

• Recipient’s full name (as it appears on ID — important for customs)
• Full Nigerian delivery address — street number, road name, area, city, state
• Recipient’s Nigerian phone number (in international format: +234 xxx xxx xxxx)
• Sender’s name and UK phone number
• Your Precebol shipment reference (we give you this at booking)
• Contents description (brief — e.g., “Clothing and food items”)

Write or print labels in permanent marker or print them on adhesive labels. Cover with clear packing tape to protect from moisture. Attach one label to the top and one to the side of each box.

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What NOT to Use

Avoid	Why
Black bin bags	Not robust; tear easily; impossible to identify contents quickly
Single-wall boxes	Not strong enough for a 6-week sea voyage
Newspaper as padding	Absorbs moisture; ink can transfer to goods; not a substitute for bubble wrap
Sellotape or masking tape	Not strong enough to hold under pressure; fails in humid conditions
Open suitcases	Fine for your checked luggage, not for sea cargo — pack in boxes instead

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Once It’s Packed — What We Do

When we collect your goods, we check that boxes are securely sealed and labelled. If we have concerns about a box’s condition that could lead to damage in transit, we’ll tell you at the point of collection.

For fragile or high-value items, we offer professional re-packing at our London hub if needed. Ask us when you book if you’d like this service.

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Ready to Send?

Pack your goods using this guide, and then call us on (+44) 7946 272819 or visit precebollogistics.co.uk to book your collection. We’ll confirm your packing list, agree a collection date, and take it from there — all the way to the door in Nigeria.