Fastener Packing Options for AU NZ Market

For many buyers, fasteners themselves get most of the attention: material grade, coating, standards and testing. However, the way those fasteners are packed can have just as much impact on your cost, damage rate, and how easy it is to sell in Australia and New Zealand. Good packing protects the product during long sea voyages, meets biosecurity rules at the border, and helps your team or customers handle stock efficiently once the shipment arrives.

This article gives an overview of the most common fastener packing options for AU and NZ projects and distribution, and how to choose between them. We will also look at wood packaging and pallet requirements, plus some practical tips for working with your supplier to fine-tune packing details.

Why packing matters for AU & NZ importers

Compared with domestic shipments, exporting from Asia to Australia or New Zealand usually means:

Long transit times by sea
Multiple load/unload operations
Strict biosecurity inspection for wood packaging
Strong competition in the retail and trade market

If packing is not planned carefully, problems quickly appear:

Cartons break or collapse before they reach the distributor
Labels fall off or key information is missing
Small parts go missing when bags tear in handling
Pallets are held at the border because they do not meet ISPM 15 rules for wood packaging 农业部+2农业部+2

On the other hand, well-designed packing can reduce claims, speed up receiving, and make your product easier to put on the shelf.

Main fastener packing formats

1. Bulk packing in master cartons

Bulk packing means a large quantity of a single item packed in one box – for example, 25 kg or 20 kg of M12 hex bolts in a plain carton. This is common for:

Large project shipments
Distributors who break bulk and repack locally
Products going straight to factories or steel fabricators

Typical features:

Plain or branded outer cartons with item code, size, finish and quantity
PE bag or inner liner to reduce dust and moisture
Strapping or tape reinforced for long-distance transport

Bulk cartons work well with products like hex bolts, nuts, washers and anchors that will be used in volume. You can explore typical products in this category here:
https://linkworldfast.com/product-category/bolts-nuts-washers/ Jiaxing Linkworld Fastener+1

When using bulk packing, it is important to agree on:

Maximum carton weight (often 20–25 kg for manual handling)
Carton dimensions that match your pallets and warehouse racking
Whether the quantity is counted by pieces or weight

2. Inner cartons and color boxes

Inner cartons (or “small boxes”) are smaller units packed inside a master carton. For example, 20 boxes × 200 pcs chipboard screws per master carton. This approach is popular for:

Trade counters and small hardware shops
Wholesalers who sell by box rather than by kg
AU/NZ importers who want consistent shelf packs

Packaging specialists highlight that small corrugated boxes, tuck-top boxes and dispenser boxes are widely used to present fasteners neatly and make them easier to display on shelves. packagingvietnam.com+1

You can choose from:

Plain white or brown boxes with a label
Full-color printed boxes with your own brand
Dispenser boxes with a tear-off opening

Inner boxes increase packing cost, but they save a lot of labour for your warehouse and customers. They also reduce damage from repeated opening of large bulk cartons.

3. Plastic boxes, organisers and buckets

For some markets, especially DIY and retail, reusable plastic boxes are very popular. They can be clear or coloured, with internal dividers. Typical applications:

Assortment kits (mixed sizes of screws, anchors, nuts and washers)
Stainless or premium fasteners sold at higher price points
Service kits for rigging, chain fittings and accessories

A sturdy plastic box protects the product, adds perceived value and is easy to stack or hang. For example, assortment kits can include small quantities of hex bolts, washers or rigging parts sourced from categories like:

Buckets and pails (plastic or metal) are another useful option, often used for decking screws or roofing screws where the installer carries the container around on site.

4. Bags, pouches and hanging packs

Plastic bags (PE or PP) are a flexible solution, especially when combined with automatic weighing and counting machines. Bag packing can be:

Plain bags with printed or stuck-on labels
Header bags or hanging bags for retail displays
Multi-item kits for furniture or flat-pack products

Fastener packing machinery suppliers often show that automatic bagging lines can pack screws, bolts and washers into pre-set quantities efficiently, making this format attractive for high-volume lines. LandPack Hardware Packaging Machine+1

Bag packing is suitable for:

Small hardware items that are easy to count
Private-label retail programs with custom artwork
Fasteners that will be packed in blister cards or skin packs later in AU/NZ

When using bags, pay attention to film thickness, heat sealing quality and whether you need desiccant or rust inhibitor in the bag.

5. Kitting and pre-assembled sets

Kitting means packing several different parts together as a set – for example:

A bolt, nut, washer set in one bag
Concrete screw, nylon plug and washer in a small box
A complete kit for installing a gate, solar panel or railing

Kits can be packed in bags, boxes or plastic organisers. They save time for installers and add value to the product. For example, masonry bolts or screw bolts for concrete can be supplied as single items in bulk, or as complete kits with sleeves and washers for the retail market:
https://linkworldfast.com/product/masonry-bolts-screw-bolts/ Jiaxing Linkworld Fastener+1

When designing kits, work closely with your supplier on:

Count per kit and per carton
Label information (application, tools required, safety notes)
Any printing or QR code linking to installation videos

Pallets and wood packaging for AU/NZ

Australia and New Zealand have strict biosecurity rules for wood packaging, including pallets and crates. Both markets generally require compliance with ISPM 15, the international standard that sets treatment and marking rules for solid wood used in packaging. acrosslogistics.com+1

Key points for AU/NZ importers:

Australia accepts solid timber packaging that is treated and marked according to ISPM 15, or alternative treatment options outlined in its import conditions. 农业部+1
New Zealand requires wood packaging to be treated and accompanied by the correct documentation or ISPM 15 mark when it enters the country. 初级产业部+1

To reduce delays and inspection risks:

Use ISPM 15-stamped pallets and wood components for export to AU/NZ.
Avoid using old, unmarked pallets.
Keep pallets clean and free from bark, soil and plant material. inka-paletten.com+1

Many buyers now prefer plywood, presswood or composite pallets (which are usually exempt from ISPM 15 treatment rules) for some shipments, as long as the load and handling conditions allow.

How to match packing options with your sales channel

Project and industrial supply

For structural steel fabricators, construction projects and OEM customers, the priorities are usually:

Strong pallets and cartons to withstand forklift handling
Clear, durable labels with size, grade and coating
Easy identification on racking

Bulk cartons on pallets are normally the most cost-effective. You might add:

Plastic inner bags for corrosion protection
Colour labels to separate different grades (e.g. 8.8 vs 10.9)
Large, easy-to-read item codes

Products like AS1252 structural washers, heavy hex bolts or large anchors fit well into this model:
https://linkworldfast.com/product/as1252-structural-washer/ Jiaxing Linkworld Fastener+1

Trade counters and wholesalers

In this channel, staff want to pick orders quickly and keep shelves looking tidy. Inner boxes, clearly marked by quantity, are often the best answer:

10 kg or 5 kg inner boxes, each with barcode and description
Colour-coded boxes by product family (e.g. screws, anchors, rigging)
Master cartons designed to go straight onto shelving if needed

If your range includes both bolts and screws, using a standardised box size and design across categories helps your brand. For example:

Bolts, nuts and washers: https://linkworldfast.com/product-category/bolts-nuts-washers/
Screws: https://linkworldfast.com/product-category/screws/ Jiaxing Linkworld Fastener+1

Retail and DIY market

Bigger chains and DIY outlets need attractive, consumer-friendly packaging:

Full-colour small boxes or hanging bags with strong branding
Clear application photos and simple instructions
Standard EAN/UPC barcodes and, sometimes, QR codes

Here, plastic organisers, blister packs and small assortments work very well. While this increases packing cost, it usually allows a higher retail price and better product differentiation. Hardware packaging specialists also highlight that eco-friendly materials and recyclable boxes are growing in popularity, which may be important for some AU/NZ retailers. IMH Packaging+1

Practical details to confirm with your supplier

When you discuss fastener packing options with your supplier, try to give clear, written requirements. Useful points include:

Exact item list and quantity per inner pack and per carton
Maximum weight per inner box and master carton
Target outer carton dimensions (to match your pallet layout)
Pallet type and height limits, including any requirements from your warehouse or 3PL
Labelling content: product code, description, size, finish, lot number, country of origin, barcode, customer logo

On the supplier side, having in-house packing capability and a quality team makes it easier to follow these details consistently and adjust when your requirements change. Linkworld, for example, combines cold forming and machining production with packing and kitting services for bolts, nuts, washers, screws and related parts, supported by its own QC team. Jiaxing Linkworld Fastener+1

When your annual demand is spread across multiple small shipments, you can also discuss warehouse support: the supplier can hold stock and ship in several batches according to your schedule, while keeping the same packing design for every release.

Checklist: choosing the right packing for your next AU/NZ order

Before you confirm your next fastener order, run through this quick checklist:

Who will open the cartons?
- Project site, distributor, or retail customer?
How will the goods be sold?
- By kg, by box, by kit, or as individual retail packs?
What are your limits?
- Maximum carton weight, pallet height and container loading plan.
What are the border requirements?
- Are all pallets and wooden components ISPM 15 compliant for Australia or New Zealand? 农业部+1
What information must appear on every unit?
- Product code, description, lot number, barcode, safety instructions.
How much brand visibility do you want?
- Plain cartons with labels, or fully printed color boxes and bags?
Do you need kitting or assortment packs?
- Will pre-packed kits save labour for your warehouse or customers?

If you can answer these questions clearly, your packing specification will be much easier for the supplier to follow, and you reduce the risk of surprises when the container arrives.

Conclusion and next steps

Fastener packing is more than “box and pallet”. For AU and NZ buyers, the right combination of inner packs, master cartons and pallets helps you protect the goods, meet biosecurity rules, and serve your customers better in both project and retail channels.

If you are reviewing your current packing or planning a new project, you are welcome to talk with the Linkworld team about options such as bulk packing, branded color boxes, plastic kits and multi-shipment warehouse support. You can learn more about the company here:
https://linkworldfast.com/about-us/

To explore the existing product range, visit:
https://linkworldfast.com/products/

For drawings, BOM lists or packing specifications, please get in touch through:
https://linkworldfast.com/contact/ or email info@linkworldfast.com.

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