Fence Post Import Guide: MOQ and Container Loading
Most buyers approach a fence post import with one question - price per post - and discover later that weight, container capacity and minimum order quantity decide the real cost. A steel post is a heavy, low-value-per-kilo product, so freight, packing and coating specifications matter as much as the mill price. This guide sets out post weights, how many T posts and Y posts actually fit in a 20GP or 40HQ container, what a realistic MOQ looks like, how to calculate freight per post, and the documents to settle before the vessel sails.
Start with Post Weight, Not Price
Two posts sold as "1.8m galvanized T post" can differ by 20 percent in weight, and weight is what you pay freight on. Ask for kilograms per meter, not pounds per foot alone, and confirm whether the figure refers to the bare steel or the galvanized finished post.
| Post type | Weight per meter | Weight per post |
|---|---|---|
| T post, 1.5 lb/ft, 1.8m | 2.23 kg/m | 4.01 kg |
| T post, 1.5 lb/ft, 2.1m | 2.23 kg/m | 4.68 kg |
| T post, 2.04 kg/m, 1.8m | 2.04 kg/m | 3.67 kg |
| T post, 2.04 kg/m, 2.1m | 2.04 kg/m | 4.28 kg |
| Y post, light section, 2.1m | 1.58 kg/m | 3.32 kg |
| Y post, heavy section, 2.4m | 2.04 kg/m | 4.90 kg |
Note the trap: a heavier section in a shorter length can weigh less than a lighter section in a longer length. Always compare weight per post, because that is the unit the container and the fence both care about.
How Many Posts Fit in a Container
20GP Container
With an assumed payload of 25,000 kg, a 20GP takes roughly 6,200 posts of 1.5 lb/ft 1.8m T posts, about 5,800 posts of 2.04 kg/m 2.1m, or around 7,500 light 2.1m Y posts. Posts are dense and stack tightly, so weight usually limits the load before volume does.
40HQ Container
With an assumed payload of 26,000 kg, a 40HQ takes about 6,450 of the 1.5 lb/ft 1.8m posts, roughly 6,050 of the 2.04 kg/m 2.1m posts, or about 7,800 light 2.1m Y posts. The extra volume of a 40HQ is often wasted on posts; it earns its keep when the shipment mixes posts with mesh, barbed wire or fittings.
Mixed Loads
Mixed containers are normal and usually more economical: one container might carry T posts for line fencing, a proportion of longer posts for corners, plus clips, staples and barbed wire. Ask the supplier to plan the load by weight and to confirm the packing plan, including bundle sizes and lifting points, before booking.
What MOQ Really Means
MOQ is rarely a fixed number of posts. Most factories quote a minimum order value or a minimum production run, because setting up drawing, galvanizing and bundling costs the same whether the order is 500 posts or 5,000. In practice a single 20GP is the cheapest sensible order for a first shipment: it gives a real freight rate, a full production run and a proper sample history. Smaller trial orders are possible but usually carry a higher unit price and shared-container handling costs.
Freight Cost per Post
Freight per post is simply total freight divided by posts loaded. As an illustration, if ocean freight to your port is USD 2,000 for a 40HQ carrying 6,450 posts, freight is about USD 0.31 per post; a heavier 2.1m post at 6,050 per container works out around USD 0.33. That is why the same mill price can produce very different landed costs: a dense, heavy post absorbs freight, a light post spreads it. Always compare quotes on landed cost per post delivered to your yard, not FOB price per ton.
Specification and Paperwork
Coating and Tolerance
For outdoor use, specify hot dip galvanized with a minimum zinc mass rather than a generic "galvanized" description; thin electro coatings fail early in coastal or humid markets. State the length tolerance, straightness, stud spacing and the steel grade, and ask for the weight tolerance in percent, because a five percent weight shortfall on 6,000 posts is a real commercial loss.
Packing
Confirm bundle weight and dimensions, strapping method, pallet or bulk packing, and whether corner protectors are included. Bundle sizes must fit the unloading equipment at destination; a bundle that is convenient at the factory can be awkward on a small forklift.
Documents
Settle before shipment: commercial invoice and packing list with weights per bundle, certificate of origin, mill test certificate and zinc coating report, plus the bill of lading details and HS code agreed with your broker. Missing a coating report after the container has sailed is a common and expensive problem.
Landed Cost Checklist
Build the landed cost from six lines: mill price per post, inland transport to port, ocean freight per container, destination charges and duties, inland delivery, and the cost of any coating or specification upgrade. Add a line for replacement of any rejected posts at destination, because weight and coating tolerances are where disputes start. View the 1.5lb galvanized T post, the 2.04 kg Galvanized T Post, and the full fence product range.
FAQ About Fence Post Import
Q: What is a realistic MOQ for fence posts?
One 20GP container is the practical minimum for a first order. Smaller trial orders are possible but usually cost more per post.
Q: How many T posts fit in a 40HQ?
About 6,450 posts of 1.5 lb/ft 1.8m, or roughly 6,050 posts of 2.04 kg/m 2.1m, on an assumed 26,000 kg payload.
Q: Is it cheaper to ship longer posts?
Not automatically. Longer posts weigh more, so fewer fit per container; the freight per post rises even if the mill price per ton is unchanged.
Q: Which coating should I specify for export markets?
Hot dip galvanized with a stated minimum zinc mass. Electro galvanized posts are cheaper but rust quickly in humid or coastal conditions.
Q: Can posts be mixed with mesh in one container?
Yes, and it is usually the most economical first shipment. Send your post sizes, mesh quantities and destination port to Dutai. WhatsApp / Mobile: +86 158 0311 4155 | Email: sales@cndutai.com or info@studdedtpost.com. Address: Anping City, Hengshui City, Hebei Province, China.