Manufacturers exporting metal parts need proper corrosion protection for overseas shipping to maintain product integrity throughout transit. Ocean freight exposes containers to humidity fluctuations, which create condensation cycles that can cause damage, especially over extended transportation durations.
You can protect your exports with vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) technology. VCIs form a molecular barrier to safeguard metals from environmental elements. They come as bags for part-level protection and rolls for flexible coverage.
You can also invest in desiccant packs, humidity indicator cards and heat sealers for added protection. Take a closer look at why corrosion protection is necessary during overseas shipping and the protective packaging solutions used to safeguard metal parts.
Why Corrosion Protection Is Necessary for Overseas Shipping
Overseas shipping exposes metal parts to conditions that can accelerate corrosion. Inside shipping containers, temperature changes create humidity fluctuations, which, in turn, cause condensation to form on container walls. When this moisture settles on metal parts, oxidation reactions cause corrosion.
Over long transit times, repeated condensation cycles can accumulate moisture on surfaces, increasing the likelihood of discoloration and degradation. Your shipments may be rejected because of this type of moisture damage. Therefore, it is incredibly important to use proper protective packaging that limits exposure to corrosive elements.
VCI packaging is one of your best options. It contains corrosion-inhibiting compounds that release protective vapor inside the package. This vapor spreads through the sealed space and shields metal surfaces from elements that can cause corrosion. VCI packages are available as bags or rolls.
VCI Bags for Metal Exports
VCI bags protect individual parts that are still vulnerable to condensation cycles inside crates, cartons and palletized loads by enclosing each component within its own controlled environment. Manufacturers mostly use VCI bags for:
- Precision parts
- Fabricated assemblies
- Bulk hardware packaged in units
VCI bags made from heat-sealable transparent film (MIL-PRF-22019-E) provide the highest level of corrosion protection. MIL-PRF-22019-E is listed on the Department of Defense’s Qualified Products Database as a flexible, sealable and volatile corrosion inhibitor-treated material that complies with documented performance standards. For manufacturers operating under military specification requirements, this designation supports traceability, consistency and specification-aligned corrosion protection during overseas shipping.
VCI bags can be easily integrated into your packaging processes. Place your parts in them, heat-seal them and then crate or palletize them. VCI bags have a shelf life of up to two years when stored properly. This means you can purchase in larger quantities and maintain usable inventory for future shipments.
VCI Rolls for Metal Exports
While VCI bags protect individual components, larger assemblies, palletized loads and crate interiors require material that conforms to varying shapes and sizes. VCI rolls provide the flexibility to deliver corrosion protection across expanded surfaces without limiting packaging configurations.
VCI rolls are available in paper and plastic bases to accommodate various application needs.
VCI Film Rolls
VCI film rolls offer increased resistance to moisture damage and mechanical stress, so they are well-suited for high-humidity destinations and applications requiring heat sealing. They are usually used for fabricated structures, heavy assemblies and palletized freight. These VCI film rolls can also serve as a protective liner in shipping containers’ crates.
VCI Paper Rolls
VCI paper rolls function as an interleaving material between stacked parts and as a wrap for irregular geometries. Typically, they are available as commercial grades and military-spec variants.
Commercial-grade VCI paper rolls are designed for general industrial corrosion protection. These can be used for:
- Wrapping machined components.
- Separating metal parts.
- Lining cartons and crates.
- Supporting short- to mid-term export schedules.
Military-spec VCI paper rolls are intended for applications that require documented performance standards and compliance with specifications. There are three common types:
- Class 3: Manufacturers usually select this when exporting requires compliance with military specifications, traceable documentation and controlled material standards.
- Class 2: Manufacturers usually select this when packaging requires a particular performance specification or classification in military documentation.
- Class 1: Manufacturers usually select this for long-duration storage, harsh export environments and applications requiring additional moisture barrier characteristics.
In addition to the base, you can choose between VCI slit rolls and sheets.
- Slit rolls: These are narrower widths converted from larger master rolls and stocked in commonly requested dimensions.
- Sheets: These are pre-cut flat pieces used for interleaving, layer separation or surface placement within high-performance folding cartons and crates on shipping containers.
Additional Packaging Components for Complete Protection
You can integrate VCI packaging with the following for added protection when shipping parts overseas:
Desiccant Packs
Dessicant packs absorb excess moisture in crates, cartons and shipping containers and help stabilize internal humidity. They are small and easy to place into packaging. Dessicant packs generally last one to three years, and you can reuse them up to five times, as long as you follow the reactivation instructions printed on the bag.
Humidity Card Indicators
Humidity card indicators contain calibrated chemical spots that change color at specific relative humidity levels.
- Three-spot cards detect 30%, 40% and 50% humidity levels.
- Four-spot cards detect 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% humidity levels.
- Six-spot cards detect humidity levels between 10% and 60%.
You can use humidity card indicators to visually monitor moisture levels in your containers. They work well alongside dessicant packs, especially when shipping sensitive metal parts. They are also small and have an average shelf life of three years.
Heat Sealers
Heat sealers create a consistent seal on VCI bags and films, preventing moisture from entering the protective packaging. You can usually find heat sealers in handheld or tabletop units. Handheld sealers work well when you need flexibility to seal awkwardly shaped packages. Tabletop units are better for workstations or packing lines where you seal many packages systematically.
Both work by applying controlled heat along the edge of the packaging to fuse the layers together. When selecting a heat sealer, you should consider the type and thickness of your packaging. Some military-spec materials require higher temperatures or longer sealing times to withstand crafting, palletizing or long-distance shipping.
Edco’s Packaging Solutions for Overseas Shipping
Since 1954, Edco has supplied corrosion protection packaging for manufacturers shipping parts around the world. Our solutions include:
- VCI bags: Edco carries many VCI bag sizes to support your ongoing export schedules. If your shipment needs custom dimensions for specialized parts, Edco can also produce custom VCI bags up to 48 inches wide.
- VCI paper rolls: Edco provides both commercial VCI paper rolls and military specification variants, including Class 3, Class 2 and foil-backed Class 1 materials. Each classification supports different export requirements.
- VCI film rolls: Edco supplies VCI film rolls in multiple widths and lengths, including 36-inch and 50-inch configurations in 100- and 200-yard rolls. You can also choose between slit or sheet formats.
- Desiccant packs:Edco’s military-spec desiccant packs are configured for container-scale use to protect metal parts against moisture damage from departure through delivery.
- Humidity card indicators: Edco offers three-, four- and six-spot humidity indicator cards for monitoring moisture levels. You can use these to quickly check whether humidity has remained within acceptable ranges during shipping or storage.
- Heat sealer: Edco’s portable hand rotary heat sealer lets you easily secure bulky or irregularly shaped packages. It operates at temperatures up to 550° Fahrenheit and reaches sealing speeds of up to 400 inches per minute, supporting efficient export packaging.
Secure Corrosion Protection for Your Next Shipment
Decades of experience allow Edco to deliver consistent, mil-spec packaging solutions for overseas shipping. Our customer service representatives work directly with you to coordinate material selection, confirm compliance requirements and manage ongoing supply schedules. We also provide support beyond shipment, ensuring packaging performance aligns with export expectations.
Request a quote today to secure your VCI bags, VCI rolls, desiccant packs, humidity card indicators and heat sealers. You can also reach out to us at 646-212-0884.
