When I walk through the loading docks of our metal packaging facility each morning, I see crates of tin-plated steel cans stacked on pallets—some wrapped in plastic, others left to breathe a little. New clients often ask me, “What’s the big deal about storing metal packaging? It’s just steel and aluminum, right?” As a supplier who’s been in this game for 12 years, I can tell you that’s far from the truth. The storage requirements for metal packaging aren’t just about keeping materials dry; they’re about preserving the integrity of every can, tube, or cap that will hold your food, cosmetics, or industrial chemicals. Skip the right steps, and you’re looking at dented products, corroded surfaces, or even compromised performance that can cost you thousands in returns or damage your brand reputation. Metal Packaging
Let’s start with the most basic—but often overlooked—element: humidity. Metal reacts with moisture, and even low levels of it can trigger a chemical reaction called oxidation, which turns steel cans into rusty, unusable stock. Last year, a small craft brewery came to us with a delivery of 5,000 12-ounce steel cans that had developed tiny rust spots during storage at their warehouse. They’d kept the pallets in a back corner with no dehumidification, and by the time they reached out, half the cans were too damaged to use. We had to rerush a new order to them, and they lost a week of production. That’s avoidable. The sweet spot for storing metal packaging is a relative humidity (RH) of 40-50% RH. Any higher than 60% RH, and you’re opening the door to surface corrosion, especially for uncoated steel. Aluminum is a bit more resistant, but even it can develop a dull, pitted finish if stored in consistently damp conditions, which makes printing labels harder and can reduce the strength of the metal seams.
Temperature goes hand in hand with humidity, but it’s not just about keeping the warehouse cool. Metal packaging expands and contracts with temperature fluctuations, and rapid changes can cause stress on the metal. For example, if you store a pallet of cold aluminum tubes that were just shipped from a refrigerated container and move them directly to a warm, sunny loading area, the metal will warm up faster than the air inside the tube, creating condensation inside the container. That’s a hidden problem—you can’t see it, but the moisture inside will eat away at the inner coating over time, which is critical for food or beverage products. The ideal storage temperature for most metal packaging is between 15°C and 25°C (59°F and 77°F). Avoid sudden swings of more than 5°C in a 24-hour period, and keep storage areas away from external heat sources like furnaces, heating vents, or direct sunlight. Sunlight isn’t just hot—it also fades any printed graphics on the metal, which is a big deal for brands that rely on bold, consistent packaging to stand out on shelves.
Next, we talk about cleanliness, both for the storage environment and the packaging itself. Metal packaging, even if it’s coated, is porous in a way that traps dust, dirt, and oils. Last quarter, a personal care brand received a shipment of metal cosmetic tubes that had tiny black specks on their surfaces. It turned out their warehouse had a lot of loose cardboard dust, and the pallets were stacked directly on the floor, so dust had settled into the seams of the tubes. The brand had to reject the entire shipment, costing them a production deadline. To prevent this, storage areas should be swept or mopped weekly, with special attention to corners and under pallet racks. Never store metal packaging directly on concrete floors—concrete retains moisture, and dust can stick to it. Use wooden pallets with a moisture barrier, or plastic pallets that are easy to wipe down. For packaging that’s already coated, use soft, lint-free cloths to clean surfaces if they get dirty, and avoid harsh chemicals that can strip the coating.
Handling practices are another key part of storage requirements. Dents are more than just cosmetic issues—they weaken the metal structure and can puncture the inner coating, leading to corrosion or contamination. When we ship products, we wrap each tier of pallets in stretch wrap, but we tell our clients to unwrap pallets slowly when receiving them. Never drag metal packaging across the warehouse floor; lift each can or tube by its base, not the lid or seam. Stacking height is also critical: most standard steel cans can be stacked up to 10 pallets high, but aluminum cans are more lightweight, so you can stack higher, but never exceed 12 pallets. Stacking too high can cause the bottom pallets to compress, leading to dented cans or even collapsed loads. We once had a client who stacked 15 pallets of cans, and when they went to pull the top pallet, the bottom pallet collapsed, spilling 3,000 cans across the warehouse. It was a mess that took their team two hours to clean up—all because they ignored stacking limits.
Then there’s the storage of pre-printed metal packaging, which has unique needs. If you’re using metal packaging with custom graphics or logos, the coating that holds the print is often thinner than the food-grade inner coating, so it’s more susceptible to scratches and UV damage. Store pre-printed packaging in closed, dark storage areas—even indirect sunlight through warehouse windows can fade print over time, especially if stored for more than 3 months. We recommend storing custom orders within 6 weeks of delivery, not left sitting on shelves for months. If you have to store them longer, invest in UV-protective shrink wrap to block sunlight. Also, keep pre-printed packaging away from any strong-smelling materials, like paint or cleaning chemicals, because metal absorbs odors. A food brand once stored their custom soup cans next to a batch of industrial cleaners, and the cans picked up a chemical smell that made the soup taste off once filled. It was a costly mistake they won’t make again.
Wait, what about specialized metal packaging? For things like aerosol cans or chemical drums, the storage requirements are even stricter. Aerosol cans have pressurized contents, so storing them at high temperatures is a safety hazard—they can burst, not just damage the packaging but create a fire risk. We advise clients storing aerosol cans to keep temperatures below 30°C (86°F) and away from any ignition sources, like electrical equipment with exposed sparks. For chemical drums, which are often made of steel with heavy-duty coatings, you still need to control humidity to prevent the outer coating from peeling, which can expose the steel to corrosion. Also, check each drum for leaks before stacking—even a small leak can spread to other drums in a pallet, leading to lost product or safety issues.
I know a lot of business owners might look at these requirements and think it’s too much work, but think of it this way: proper storage extends the shelf life of your metal packaging by months, reduces waste, and ensures your products reach consumers in perfect condition. At our metal packaging company, we don’t just deliver cans and tubes—we also work with clients to set up storage guidelines, send them checklists, and even do a walkthrough of their warehouse before their first large delivery. Last year, a small snack brand took our checklist and adjusted their warehouse, adding a dehumidifier and plastic pallets. They told us their rejection rate for metal packaging dropped from 8% to less than 1% that year, saving them over $15,000. That’s the kind of value we’re here to provide, not just a product.
If you’re a brand owner, warehouse manager, or someone who’s been dealing with issues like corroded cans, dented tubes, or damaged pre-printed packaging, let’s connect. We can walk you through specific storage solutions tailored to your metal packaging needs, whether you’re storing small batches of cosmetic tubes or large industrial steel drums. Don’t let poor storage derail your production or damage your brand—reach out to us to discuss your requirements and find the right storage support for your metal packaging.
Canning Lids References
- International Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association. (2021). Storage and Handling Guidelines for Food Grade Metal Packaging. IMMPA Technical Bulletin.
- American Society for Testing and Materials. (2019). Standard Practice for Storage of Metallic Containers and Closures. ASTM International.
- European Metal Packaging Federation. (2022). Humidity and Temperature Control for Metal Packaging Storage. EMPF Safety Report.
- Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Guidance on Storage of Food Packaging Materials. FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Xiamen Uniteam Sourcing Co., Ltd.
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