View source for Clothing/ready-made garments

{{Infobox_Miscellaneous
| image                               = Garments.jpg
| origin                              = Ready-made garments are today transported worldwide from and to all continents.
| stowage factor                      = <ul><li>2.30 - 9.47 m³/t (cartons)</li><li>1.08 - 6.06 m³/t (boxes) 
| humidity and moisture               = <ul><li>Relative humidity: 45 - 70% </li><li>Water content: 8 - 12% (woolen fabric)<br>                                                                7.85 - 8.50% (cotton fabric)</li><li>Maximum equilibrium moisture content: 70% 
| ventilation                         = Recommended ventilation conditions: air exchange rate: 6 changes/hour (airing), if the dew point of the external air is lower than the dew point of the hold air.
| risk factors                        = The goods are liable to catch fire due to the structure of the processed natural and manmade fibers and the surface treatment or finishing which they have undergone. Smoking must therefore be strictly prohibited during loading/unloading of the holds/containers. CO<sub>2</sub> should preferably be used to extinguish fires.
}}

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==Description==
Ready-made garments comprise outer- and underclothing, made from different fabrics and yarns. Outer clothing is often transported as '[[Hanging Garments]]', inserted into tight-fitting individual dust covers which are sealed at the bottom. Other clothing are generally transported in cartons.<br><br>
==Shipment / Storage==
As they provide adequate protection against creasing, dust and dirt, garment containers are best suited to transporting items of clothing. Garment containers are equipped with bars for hanging up items of clothing on coat-hangers. The bars are generally secured in perforated rails in the walls. The coat-hangers are provided with special clips. A curtain is located between the door  and the inside; the wooden floor is impregnated and lined with floor covering.<br><br>
Providing that limits for water content of goods, packing and flooring are complied with, 'standard containers' are (also) considered suitable for transport of ready-made-garments.<br><br>
As garments are strongly hygroscopic and readily absorb moisture, they are to be protected from (extraneous) moisture; natural fibers are hygroscopic, synthetic fibers are only slightly so. High humidity levels (40-70% considered optimal), seawater, rain and condensation water may cause mustiness, mildew stains and mold growth and increase levels of insect infestation. The corrosion of metal strapping could cause rust stains.<br><br>
The stowage space must be dry, leakproof, clean, free of obnoxious smells and be carried away from heat sources.<br><br>
Excessive and pro-longed exposure to light can degrade natural and manmade fibers.<br><br>
Ready-made garments resp. clothing are best stored at 20°C ± 5°C. Temperature variations within the range of 10 - 30°C do not adversely affect quality.<br><br>
Subjecting the goods to much higher temperatures can degrade the physical characteristics (i.e. strength, elongation, shrinkage, crease tendency, electrical conductivity and brittleness) of the fibers, such apart from the risk of pests and microorganisms.<br>
Very low temperatures can cause loss of strength.<br><br>
==Risk factors==
* Self-heating/Spontaneous combustion<br>
* Odor<br>
* Contamination<br>
* Mechanical influences<br>
* Toxicity/Hazards to health<br>
* Shrinkage / Shortage/Theft<br>
* Insect infestation / Diseases<br>

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[[Category: Products]][[Category: Miscellaneous]]