What are the shipping marks?

Shipping marks are specific symbols and marks placed directly on the container or box to ensure safe and secure cargo delivery. These marks are standards that are recognized universally and expressed in a clear and visually understandable way. If the package is not marked correctly, the shipping company cannot be responsible for any potential damages or losses to the product.

Proper packaging and labeling of cargo is crucial to ensure that warehouse staff can handle it without causing any damage. When goods are marked and packed correctly, they remain intact and are safely transported to their destination.

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Types of Cargo Marking

All types of markings can be divided into three categories:

• Transport Marking. This includes information required for the transportation of cargo: details of the recipient and sender, destination, actual or volumetric weight, number of packages, and other relevant data. Essentially, everything necessary to know about the cargo during transit. This type of marking is usually applied when goods arrive at a warehouse in China and are prepared for shipment.
• Customs Marking. This contains essential information required for customs clearance: the product code according to the HS Code, country of origin, value, and other relevant details.
• Special Marking. These are specially approved symbols and images used to label dangerous, fragile goods, or those requiring special transportation conditions (e.g., labels such as "Top," "Careful," or "Glass").

Cargo Marking Labels: Requirements

Regardless of the country of origin, all marking labels must strictly comply with established international requirements:

• The information must be distinguishable and easily readable.
• All data must be accurate.
• The marking must withstand external influences such as humidity, temperature, and mechanical damage throughout the entire transportation route.
• The marking must comply with established standards.

If the inscriptions are illegible, this may cause issues at the border. A professional customs broker is always aware of such nuances, so working with intermediaries helps avoid these problems. 

Marking of Dangerous Goods

If the cargo contains hazardous components, flammable liquids, or toxic materials, the box must be labeled with special hazardous goods stickers. These labels must be durable, easily readable, and large enough for individuals handling the cargo to understand how to act during its packaging, transportation, storage, loading, and unloading.

Examples of Labeling Templates

The seller may, at their discretion, place information on the box and pallets. However, it is important that it contains all the essential data required for transportation and customs clearance. 

Marking of Boxes/Crates

The following information must be present on the boxes and crates:

• Address label containing information about the sender, recipient, and delivery address.
• If the cargo is fragile, the appropriate marking must be applied to the box.
• "Up" arrows indicating the correct orientation of the box during transportation.
• Weight of the box.

Marking of Cargo Pallets

If a pallet is used for transportation, it must also have the following information applied:

• A unique pallet number, which allows tracking its movement.
• The weight of the pallet with the cargo.
• The dimensions of the pallet.
• Special markings, such as "Do Not Stack" or "Fragile Cargo."

The markings are attached to the film of the stack of cardboard boxes/crates in which the products are packaged.

Marking of Sea Containers

Each transport container is marked with a range of labels. Some of these are applied during its manufacturing stage, while others are added during its registration by the transport company. For example: 

• A unique number assigned to the container (BIC code + check digit).
• The container type: standard, refrigerated, isothermal, or for hazardous goods, indicated by an abbreviation.
• The total weight of the cargo including packaging.

If you are a buyer, you do not need to worry about the markings. They are applied by the senders, who generally know exactly how to handle this process. However, if you have specific requirements or preferences, you can communicate them before the shipment.

Purposes of cargo marking:

• Providing information about the package content;
• Minimizing the risks of cargo damage;
• Recommendations for careful handling during loading and unloading operations, unpacking, transportation, and storage;
• Correct marking speeds up the cargo delivery to its destination.

When exporting goods, they must be classified and marked with special signs for transportation safety.

Additional inscriptions are displayed beside the mandatory signs:

• Order/invoice/contract number of a foreign supplier or buyer;
• Destination point;
• Shipment route;
• Trademark;
• Exporter brand.

When providing information about a cargo, it is important to include both its dimensions and volume in cubic meters. However, if the object is smaller than 1 m3, it is unnecessary to specify its volume. Additionally, all inscriptions related to the cargo export must be in the recipient's language. This is similar to the requirement for importing goods.

If the shipper in China is not familiar with the proper way of packing and marking the cargo for delivery to your country, a reliable logistics service can be highly beneficial. The logistics company will take responsibility for applying all the necessary inscriptions, signs, and handling marks on the container and packages. This ensures that the cargo will not be delayed during transit and will reach the destination in the best possible condition.

You are welcome to contact DiFFreight. We will handle everything!