Distinctive smell of packages from China - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 06:48:29 am
content: I've noticed that quite a few packages I receive from China have an unusual odor I can't place, sometimes it's quite strong, other times more subtle but it's always the same smell, I guess it could be described as slightly sweet. Anyone know what I'm talking about? Better yet does anyone know what it is? I suppose it's also possible that it's the result of some sort of chemical test or pesticide used on incoming packages somewhere along the delivery chain.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 07:23:42 am
content: I've noticed the same thing too. Not sure if it's done before or after it's sent.I know our border agencies use methyl bromide and sulfuryl fluoride for fumigation of shipments for biosecurity reasons, but I think that's more for shipping containers.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 07:32:55 am
content: Soy sauce.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 07:34:25 am
content: Quote from: Bud on January 24, 2021, 07:32:55 amI'd know if it was soy sauce. I'm not about to lick the package to double-check however.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 08:09:33 am
content: Cheap brown packing tape they use has a very distinctive smell.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 08:22:06 am
content: Maybe that's it, something in the adhesive perhaps? Sometimes it's so strong that it hits me in the face as soon as I cut into the box. Only seems to be stuff from China too which is odd, I don't remember ever encountering that smell in packages from elsewhere. It definitely doesn't smell like soy sauce or any other food I'm familiar with, it smells chemical-y.

author: austfox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 08:25:17 am
content: I ordered some anti-static bags on eBay from China) and the smell was unbearable, so much so that they had to be binned after a couple of days. I thought the smell would disappear but it didn’t. The odour was like a really strong cheap air-freshener.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 08:28:01 am
content: Yeah, I assume it is the adhesive. The reason you don't see it outside, I'm pretty sure they don't export it, since it is so bad. There is no point in using it unless you ship as much as they do.

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 10:30:38 am
content: Metalworking tools like lathe insert holders from China also have their own distinctive aroma. Bit like cigarette smoke but not in a bad way.Probably something addictive based on my numbers of ebay/aliexpress orders.

author: Syntax Error
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 12:43:27 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on January 24, 2021, 07:32:55 amI was going to say the same thing. We had a box in from SE Asia where the newspaper packing smelled distinctly of the packer's last takeaway meal. Spicy noodles. By the same token, I expect British/American products entering China smell of KFC and fries.

author: Alex Eisenhut
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 03:24:42 pm
content: I've smelled that a few times, something floral, almost like lychee. It was pleasant, but totally IMO out pf place. It would be like getting a lavender-scented scope probe, or patchouli phone...

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 12:08:15 am
content: When you said "slightly sweet", my thought was some sort of chlorocarbon solvent.

author: AntiProtonBoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 01:20:47 am
content: Maybe it's the same stuff they use in mothballs? Fumigation chemicals perhaps?

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 01:36:28 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on January 24, 2021, 10:47:11 amI think that's it. I've noticed the smell from the thin cardboard stuff comes in.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 01:54:43 am
content: Fabric articles exported from places like India are required to be fumigated to prevent the spread of insect pests. The smell is distinctive and lingers for years.The only smell I have noticed from China articles is more of a plastic resin odor and I think it is related to the feedstocks used.

author: E-Design
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 02:33:18 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on January 24, 2021, 08:28:01 amYes this is it - It is the tape.I've grown to kind of enjoy the smell.. Ahhh... a fresh widget finally arrived... oh, and wonder whats going on in the Shezhen news these days.... (reading the packing paper)

author: I wanted a rude username
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 07:44:32 am
content: Quote from: E-Design on January 25, 2021, 02:33:18 amClassical conditioning.It's Pavlov's packing tape.Amusing related story.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 11:23:03 am
content: No ideaBut old test gear also has a distinctive smell that i have no idea what it is. Especially when turning it on for the first time and those fans start moving air.I think some of it is the smell of oil in the fan bearings, other part might be old toasted dust inside.

author: GlennSprigg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 01:35:58 pm
content: I've noticed this even on locally supplied posts. (Australia). You pull apart the cardboard & plastic wrappingand there it is! (Maybe it is 'dousing' chemicals?). Often though, it's deceivingly like that great smell whenyou wander through an old book shop, or the smell of old 'valve/tube' gear & their electronics!!!

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 04:40:11 pm
content: It's plastic outgassing. I dont mind it on the packages, since they get thrown out, I do mind it when a cable smells like dog farts for weeks.Quote from: Berni on January 25, 2021, 11:23:03 amIt is dust, but also there is a reason we use FR4 today. Older PCBs had a lot more organic material. Old flux was from pine trees. Plastic parts were brominated, and transformers had a coating that was also partly plant based. And dust. Nothing healthy about this, even though Dave seems to get it all in for "shits and giggles".

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 08:54:27 pm
content: I've not noticed "sweet" but noticed the same fungus/mushroom smell many times. I suspect its from higher humidity warehouses and some interaction with the cardboard.This is pre and post covid, so I don't think its any sort of sanitizing solution.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 08:59:34 pm
content: I also think it is environmental. Having seen videos of their mailing warehouses plus long travel by see it makes sense.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 10:28:11 pm
content: The chemicals have had no effect on me at all.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 10:29:42 pm
content: The chemicals have had no effect on me at all.

author: Gregg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 10:40:35 pm
content: I remember the smell of the first Chinese sandpaper about 25 years ago was overpowering sick-sweet perfumed. I thought at the time it was to cover up the smell of the protein based glue. Hide glue made from animal skins used to be very prevalent but has mostly been replaced by synthetic adhesives.I’ve noticed the same aroma only not as powerful when pulling tape off of cardboard shipping boxes from China. Lately they seem to like just sending items in heat sealed plastic bags whenever possible.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2021, 08:00:13 pm
content: I suspect they mix chemical waste through the plastic they export to get rid of it cheaply.

author: helius
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2021, 02:32:34 am
content: The fragrancesarethe chemical waste: nitromusks and other carcinogens are also heavily used in major brands of products elsewhere in the world. Have you ever noticed a strong perfume emanating from a sewer manhole? It can make the whole street reek like there's no tomorrow. The cause? Somebody used Tide in their washing machine...