Top 3 Reasons Aluminum Strips Are Prone to Moisture During Export to Africa
When exporting aluminum strips to Africa, moisture-related issues such as oxidation, surface spotting, and corrosion often arise. Understanding the key causes helps exporters better protect their cargo during transit.
High Humidity and Rainy Climate in Coastal Regions
Many African import hubs — such as Lagos (Nigeria), Mombasa (Kenya), and Abidjan (Ivory Coast) — are coastal ports with high humidity levels year-round. Sea mist, rainfall, and ambient moisture can easily penetrate improperly sealed packaging during loading or port storage.
Long Sea Freight Transit Time
Shipping aluminum coils from China or the Middle East to Africa typically takes 25–40 days. During this time, temperature fluctuations inside containers create condensation, especially if the cargo lacks desiccant bags or VCI (volatile corrosion inhibitor) film.
Inadequate Packaging and Pallet Sealing
Many exporters use basic wooden pallets or thin plastic wrap without full waterproofing. Without aluminum foil wrapping, anti-moisture paper, or vacuum sealing, moisture may seep in through pallet gaps or exposed coil edges.
How to Prevent Moisture Damage
- Use multi-layer packaging including VCI film, waterproof kraft paper, and aluminum foil bag sealing.
- Include desiccant packs inside each coil wrap and container floor.
- Select steel pallets or fumigated wooden pallets with plastic baseboards for better water resistance.
- Request moisture-proof inspection photos before shipment.
Protect your aluminum strip shipments with expert packaging solutions tailored for Africa-bound containers. Contact us for customized packaging advice or a free quote.
