Mixed Container Auto Parts Shipments

Most importers need many product categories, but not a full container of any single one. A mixed container lets you order across categories and manufacturers and receive everything in one shipment, with one commercial invoice, one packing list and one bill of lading.

Build one consolidated shipment using catalogue products plus additional items sourced through our Thailand supplier network.

Upload your parts list to start planning a mixed container.

What you can combine

Category	Examples	Planning note
Filters	Oil, air, fuel, cabin	Light and volume-intensive in retail boxes
Brake parts	Pads, shoes, discs, drums, cylinders	Dense and heavy; good for using weight capacity
Suspension and steering	Shock absorbers, leaf springs, bushings, ball joints	Leaf springs are long and heavy; usually palletized
Engine and drivetrain	Gaskets, pumps, belts, clutch kits, bearings	Mostly compact cartons
Truck parts	Service and wear parts for light and medium trucks	Mix of heavy and bulky items
Batteries	Automotive and commercial batteries	Dangerous goods handling and segregation
Tires	Passenger, SUV, light truck, commercial	Very volume-intensive
Accessories	Canopies, bars, racks, bed liners	Bulky; packaging protection matters

Browse our online product catalogue or search by vehicle. Items that are not listed online can go in the same container through product sourcing: add the OEM number or specification to your list.

How mixing works

1. Send one list. Include all categories, even if you are unsure they will fit. Use the RFQ upload.
2. Validation and quotation. Each line is validated and quoted with brand type, price, availability and any minimum quantity. See RFQ process.
3. Container planning. Estimated weight and volume are calculated from quoted lines, and we advise whether the order fits a 20', 40' or 40' high cube container, or should ship LCL.
4. Adjust. Add lines to use spare capacity, or move lower-priority lines to a later shipment.
5. Procure and consolidate. Items from each supplier are received, checked and stored together. See warehouse and distribution.
6. Inspect, pack and load. Pre-shipment quality control, export packing and a load plan designed for the product mix.
7. Ship with one set of documents. See export process.

Planning a container: value, volume and weight

A container has two physical limits, volume and payload weight, and your budget sets a third.

• Volume-limited orders: tires, accessories and filters in retail boxes fill space quickly. A 40' high cube offers the most volume per container.
• Weight-limited orders: brake discs and drums, batteries, leaf springs and engine parts are dense. A 20' container can reach its payload limit before it is full.
• Balanced orders: combining dense and bulky categories often uses both weight and volume efficiently. Heavy items go on the floor; lighter cartons stack above.
• Value: high-value, compact parts such as sensors, bearings and gaskets add value without using much space, which reduces freight cost as a share of goods value.

Payload limits depend on the container, the shipping line and road regulations at both ends, so final planning is confirmed against actual carton weights and dimensions.

Carton and pallet considerations

• Cartons: small parts are packed into export cartons, grouped by category or by your warehouse layout. Cartons are numbered and referenced on the packing list.
• Pallets: heavy or mixed cartons are palletized for forklift handling. Pallets use some container volume, so floor-loaded cartons can fit more if you unload by hand.
• Wooden packaging: pallets and crates made of solid wood are ISPM 15 compliant.
• Marking: shipping marks, branch codes or your own item codes can be added to cartons if requested at order confirmation.

Batteries in a mixed container

Many lead-acid batteries are regulated as dangerous goods (for example UN2794 or UN2800) and must be declared, packed, labeled and segregated according to the IMDG Code and carrier rules. Batteries are typically loaded upright on pallets, secured against movement, and kept apart from incompatible goods. Some carriers apply dangerous goods surcharges or restrictions on certain routes. See shipping and logistics.

Tires in a mixed container

Tires use a lot of volume relative to their value. Loose loading fits more tires, while palletized tires are faster to unload. If tires are a large share of your order, a 40' high cube is often the most practical choice. Allow for the fact that tires can leave limited space for other categories.

Minimum order quantities per line

Mixing categories does not remove supplier minimums. Some items are sold by carton, set or production batch, and minimum quantities are shown per line on the quotation. Where a minimum is higher than you need, we will indicate alternatives if available.

One set of documents

A mixed container ships under one commercial invoice and one packing list, grouped by category with harmonized system (HS) codes as appropriate, and one bill of lading. Certificates of origin, dangerous goods declarations and fumigation or heat treatment certificates are added where applicable. Receiving one consolidated shipment instead of several separate ones typically simplifies customs clearance at destination.

Start planning

Send your complete parts list, destination port and preferred container size if known. Upload your RFQ or contact us to discuss your first container.