LABELLING, PACKAGING, PACKING AND MARKING GOODS FOR EXPORT

            An important stage after manufacturing of goods or their procurement is their preparation for shipment.  This entails labeling, packaging, packing and marking of export consignments.

                   

            Labeling requirements differ from country to country and the same should be ascertained well in advance from the buyer.  The label should indicate quality, quantity, method of use etc.  Special international care labels have been specified for the textile items by GINETEX, and the same should be scrupulously adhered to.

            Packaging fulfills a vital role in helping to get you export products to the market in top condition, as well as in presenting your goods to the overseas buyer in an attractive way.  While packaging, quality should not be compromised merely to cut down costs.  Packaging should also be in conformity with the instructions issued by the importer.

            Packing refers to the external containers used for transportation.  The shape of packing cases plays a very important role in packing the cargo, and the nature of packing material to be used will depend upon the items exported.  As regard specification for the size, weight and strength, care must be taken to ensure that the weight of standard case does not exceed 50 kg for easy handling of the cargo.

            Before packing and sealing the goods, it should be ensured that all the contents are properly placed in the case and the list of contents of packing notes should be prepared so that the buyer, the Customs authorities and the Insurance authorities can easily check the contents of each and every case.  The consolidated statement of contents for a number of case is called the Packing List, which should be prepared in the prescribed standardised format.

            Marking means to mark the address, number of packages etc, on the packets.  It is essential for identification purpose and should provide information on exporters’ mark, importers’ mark, port of destination, place of destination, order number and date, gross, net and tare weight and handling instructions.  It should also be ensure that while putting marks, the law of buyer’s country is duly complied with.

            All shipping cases should be marked a number with special symbols selected by the exporters or the importers, so that competitors are not in a position find out the details of the customers and the country of destination or supplier’s country of dispatch.  Care should also be taken to ensure that the marking conforms to those written in the invoice, insurance certificate, bill of lading and other documents.  The International Cargo Handling Coordination,  Association has set out for the use of exporters a number of recommendations for the marking of goods carried by ocean-going vessels.  They are equally useful for sending goods by other modes of transportation.  Some of these recommendations are as under:

1.         The marks should appear in a certain order.  Essential data should be placed in oblong frames with lines 1.5 centimeters thick, and subsidiary information should be placed in another type of frame.

1.      Declaration on large packages should be placed on two continuous sides, and for consignments bound together on a pallet, also on the top.  Handling instructions should be placed on all four sides.  Similar packages, such as goods in sacks should be marked on two opposite sides.

2.      Lettering should be atleast 7.5 centimeters high for essential data, and at least 3.5 centimeters for subsidiary data.  If the package is too small for such letter, other sizes may be used, but in the same ratio.  The sizes of the symbols should also be in proportion to the size of the package and of the other markings.

3.      Only fast dyes should be used for lettering.  Essential data should be in black and subsidiary data in a less conspicuous colour; red and orange lettering should be reserved for dangerous goods only.  For food packed in sacks, only harmless dyes should be employed, and the dye should not come through the packing in such a way as to affect the goods.

4.      Stick-on labels should only be used on individual packages or parcel and all old labels should be removed.

5.      Marking should be made by the stencil or by branding or by pencil or brush without a stencil.  If stencils are used, care should be taken that the letters and figures are perfectly legible to prevent confusion.  This is especially true of the letters and figures – B.R.P,O,G-G-G-D-C, H.N; 3-8 : 6-9 and 1-7.

6.      The surface to be marked should be smooth and clean.  If packages are to be bonded, they cane be marked before this is done; the hoops should not however, cover the markings.

7.      The figure should indicate the total number of packages making up the consignment and the consecutive number of the individual package.  For example, 1520/15/1 identifies the first package of a total number of 15 packets and 1520/15/15 the last one.

8.      The name of the ship and the bill of lading number should be shown when this is possible.  Handling instructions must appear in the language of exporter and importer, and also, if possible, in the language of the countries where goods are to be handled en route or transshipped.