Mixed Container Loading for Distributors
Why distributors need it
A distributor selling to 200 restaurants needs 500ml, 750ml, 1000ml, sauce cups and lids — but cannot absorb a full container of any single item. Mixed loading solves the working-capital problem.
| Approach | Working capital | Freight per pc | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full container, one SKU | high | lowest | low |
| Mixed container, 8–15 SKUs | medium | +5–8% | medium |
| LCL | low | +40–80% | high risk |
LCL is almost always the wrong answer for PP containers: damage rates are higher, and consolidation adds 2–3 weeks.
The loading plan
Ask for a plan with these columns before confirming:
| SKU | Cartons | Carton size (cm) | CBM | Gross kg |
|---|
The plan should reach 65–68 CBM for a 40HQ and stay under 24,000 kg. If cartons leave gaps, the plan is wrong — a good supplier re-cuts carton sizes to fill the space.
Carton compatibility trap
Mixing a 60 × 40 cm carton with a 50 × 35 cm carton wastes 8–12% of container volume. Ask the supplier to standardise the carton footprint across SKUs where possible; the savings show up in your landed cost, not theirs.
FAQ
Is there a minimum per SKU in a mixed container? Usually 50–100 cartons.
Can different colours be mixed? Yes, cartons are separate; only production runs need MOQ.
Next step
Send your SKU list with target cartons per item. We will return a loading plan with CBM, weight and a gap check.
Related reading
- 500ml PP Food Container: Wholesale Specification
- Food Container Sizes Guide: ml to oz for Takeaway Lunch Boxes, Bowls and Sauce Cups
- Food Truck Packaging: Container Specs That Survive
Models covered on this site: 2500 ml PF-RW2500 · 1000 ml PF-RW1000 · 950 ml PF-GG950 · see all models in this category.
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