Export Banana Packaging Standards
For B2B buyers issuing purchase orders, here are the universally accepted specifications you must demand from your supplier:
Standard Box Type: 5-ply, heavy-duty telescopic banana carton (features a separate top lid that slides completely over the bottom tray).
Standard Net Weight: 13.5 kg (29.7 lbs) per box.
Ventilation: Die-cut holes aligned on both the top and bottom trays for optimal cold air circulation.
Internal Protection: Bananas must be packed inside a vacuum-sealed plastic poly-liner with foam dividers placed between the hands to prevent friction bruising.
40ft Reefer Capacity: Approximately 1,540 boxes (floor-loaded) or 1,200 boxes (palletized).
1. The Anatomy of a Telescopic Banana Carton
Standard single-wall cardboard boxes will collapse under the extreme humidity (85% to 95%) of a reefer container. The global standard for cavendish banana export packaging is the telescopic banana carton.
This is a two-piece box consisting of a bottom tray and a top lid. The lid slides completely over the bottom tray, creating a double-wall of 5-ply corrugated cardboard on all four sides. This structural integrity allows the boxes to be stacked up to 8 or 9 tiers high inside the container without the bottom boxes buckling under the sheer weight.
2. Exact 13.5kg Banana Box Dimensions
Uniformity is critical for maximizing container space and ensuring stable palletization. While some Middle Eastern markets request 18 kg boxes, the 13.5 kg box remains the undisputed global standard.
Here are the precise 13.5kg banana box dimensions used by premium exporters:
| Packaging Metric | Specification |
| Box Type | 2-Piece Telescopic Corrugated Carton |
| Material Strength | 5-Ply (Moisture Resistant / Kraft Paper) |
| External Length | 500 mm (50 cm) |
| External Width | 320 mm (32 cm) |
| External Height | 200 mm to 210 mm (20-21 cm) |
| Net Weight of Fruit | 13.5 kg |
| Gross Weight (with box) | ~14.2 kg to 14.5 kg |
3. Internal Banana Packing Specifications
The outer box protects the fruit from crushing, but the internal packaging protects the fruit from biological decay and aesthetic damage. Professional banana packing specifications require three internal layers:
The Poly-Liner (Banavac Bag): Before the bananas go into the box, a heavy-duty plastic bag is placed inside. Once the bananas are packed, the air is vacuumed out of this bag, and it is tied shut. This creates a modified atmosphere, putting the fruit to “sleep” and preventing premature ripening.
Foam Dividers: During ocean transit, the ship’s vibration causes the banana hands to rub against each other. To prevent the skin from turning black (friction scarring), thin polyethylene foam sheets are placed between each hand of bananas.
Absorbent Pads: Placed at the bottom of the box to absorb any residual moisture or latex sap, preventing fungal growth (Crown Rot) during transit.
4. Container Loading and Stacking Logistics
How the boxes are arranged inside the 40ft High Cube Reefer container directly impacts the airflow and the fruit’s survival.
Floor-Loaded (Non-Palletized): This maximizes container volume. Exporters can fit approximately 1,540 boxes (13.5kg) in a 40ft reefer. The boxes are cross-stacked to prevent shifting, ensuring the ventilation holes align so the +13.5°C cold air can circulate through every carton.
Palletized: Required by many European and US supermarkets for rapid unloading. Exporters can fit 20 standard pallets in a 40ft reefer, holding roughly 1,200 boxes.
Flawless Logistics with Exim Internationals
When importing perishable fruit, compromising on packaging to save a few cents per box will ultimately cost you the entire container.
At Exim Internationals, we adhere to the strictest global packaging standards. We use premium, moisture-resistant telescopic cartons, export-grade vacuum poly-liners, and precision loading techniques. We ensure your G9 Cavendish bananas arrive at your destination port in the exact pristine, green condition they left our packhouse.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a telescopic banana carton?
A telescopic banana carton is a heavy-duty, two-piece corrugated box used for fresh fruit export. It consists of a top lid that slides completely over a bottom tray, providing double-wall strength on all sides to prevent the box from crushing under high humidity and heavy stacking.
2. What are the standard 13.5kg banana box dimensions?
The globally recognized 13.5kg banana box dimensions are generally 500 mm in length, 320 mm in width, and 200 mm to 210 mm in height. These dimensions are specifically optimized for secure stacking on standard export pallets and inside 40ft reefer containers.
3. Why are bananas packed in plastic bags inside the box?
The plastic bag (often called a poly-liner or Banavac) is crucial for cavendish banana export packaging. It allows exporters to vacuum seal the fruit, creating a modified atmosphere that dramatically slows down respiration, preventing the bananas from ripening during a long ocean voyage.
4. What are the internal banana packing specifications to prevent bruising?
To prevent friction damage and bruising during transit, premium banana packing specifications dictate that thin foam dividers must be placed between each row and hand of bananas. Additionally, the bananas are packed tightly in a specific pattern (crowns facing inward) to minimize movement.
5. How many 13.5kg banana boxes fit in a 40ft container?
If the container is floor-loaded (packed directly floor-to-ceiling without wooden pallets), it can hold approximately 1,540 boxes. If the shipment is palletized for faster unloading, a 40ft reefer will hold roughly 1,200 boxes.
About us
Exim Internationals is a premier export company dedicated to delivering the finest products from India to international markets. Our mission is to establish India as a global export powerhouse, contributing to economic growth and showcasing the richness of Indian goods worldwide.
From the pashmina shawls and apples of the North to the spices of the South, the fruits and powders of the West, and the tea and bamboo of the East, we connect every corner of India with the global market.
Certification we have: FSSAI, APEDA, IEC, UDYAM, FIEO, Spices Board, Coconut
Contact us
Samin heritage, Sl building, Shop no. 19, Chandan wadi, Almeda road Thane west, Maharashtra, India-400601.
Email Us:support@eximinternationals.com
Call Us: +91 9820446601 | +91 9321559185
