In episode 304 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian is joined by Kate (Sofeast’s Supply Chain Management Manager) to dig into one of the nastiest hidden risks importers face: mold. They explain how weeks inside a hot, humid shipping container can ruin textiles, leather, wood, packaging, and even electronics, if humidity and packaging aren’t under control. Don't sleep on this risk; it can affect anyone importing products from Asia!

00:13 – Why importers don’t think about what happens inside the container

01:27 – How mold ruins products, packaging, and entire shipments (and which goods are most at risk)

03:02 – Why “mold explosions” happen: the 3 main causes (production humidity, packaging, container condensation)

06:27 – Factory controls: target humidity levels, drying products properly, and warehouse/storage pitfalls

08:56 – AC warehouses vs “regular” storage and what that really means for your goods

09:41 – Packaging controls: desiccants, export-grade cartons, minimizing empty air, plastic wrapping

10:31 – Logistics & container controls: dry containers, pallets, container desiccants, and rainy-season loading risks

13:16 – Case study: US home décor importer moves to India, spots high humidity, and ultimately cancels the order

18:11 – Desiccants 101: what they look like in cartons and containers, and why they’re “too cheap to ignore”

19:59 – Practical mold-prevention checklist for factories, packaging, and containers

23:56 – Is mold still a problem with air freight? Time, storage, and what to focus on if you ship by air

25:39 – Final advice: who’s most at risk and how Sofeast can help with packaging, inspections, and logistics controls

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