Durian cartons, cold chain and container loading from Vietnam
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Short answer. Vietnamese durian ships mature but unripe at 13–15 °C and keeps about 3–5 weeks. By sea or road it goes in 19 kg cartons, about 1,000–1,100 per 40' reefer, in a dedicated container because of the odour. By air it goes in 10 kg cartons, from 100 cartons.
How is durian packed?
| Item | Sea or road | Air |
|---|---|---|
| Carton | 19 kg | 10 kg |
| Cartons per pallet | About 50–56 | Not applicable |
| Load | About 1,000–1,100 cartons of 18–19 kg per 40' reefer, on 20 pallets, about 18–20 t | From 100 cartons, packed to the airline's rules for durian |
Cartons are ventilated 5-ply corrugated board, and fruit is graded by size. Pallets are ISPM 15 wood, strapped with corner boards. The English label gives the product, variety, class, size, net weight, lot code, packing date and registered packing-house code. The exact count is confirmed with the packing house in the quotation.
Which settings apply?
| Item | Setting |
|---|---|
| Set point | 13–15 °C |
| Relative humidity | 85–95 % |
| Storage life, mature unripe fruit | About 3–5 weeks |
| Storage life, ripe fruit | 7–14 days |
Why not ship colder?
Below the set point the husk turns dark brown or black, and the flesh may not ripen.
Why is durian shipped unripe?
Ethylene, at about 100 ppm, speeds ripening and makes the husk split. So fruit is shipped mature but unripe and ripened at destination.
Why a dedicated container?
Ripe durian has a strong odour. It travels in its own reefer and is never mixed with odour-sensitive cargo.
How long is the transit?
| Route | Transit (indicative) |
|---|---|
| Road to the China border | About 2–3 days |
| Hong Kong | About 3–6 days |
| Sea to Port Klang | 3–5 days |
| Air | 1–3 days |
Schedules are confirmed with the quotation.
Frequently asked questions
Can durian share a container with other fruit?
No. It ships in a dedicated reefer because of the odour.
What is the smallest air order?
100 cartons of 10 kg.
How is the price quoted?
In the quotation only, for your variety, size and route.
Varieties and classes are in Ri6 or Monthong (Dona) durian, and harvest months in the durian season by region. Full specifications are on the durian page; to order, use the durian quotation form.
Last reviewed 12 November 2026 by VIET FARM EXPORT COMPANY LIMITED, Ho Chi Minh City. Figures come from our durian specification; they are indicative and confirmed with each quotation.