LABELLING&PACKAGING FOR

EXPORTS
 Labeling
• Package labelling (BrE) or labeling (AmE) is any written,
electronic, or graphic communications on the packaging or on a
separate but associated label.

• Many types of symbols for package labeling are nationally and

internationally standardized.

• For consumer packaging, symbols exist for product certifications,

trademarks, proof of purchase, etc.

• Some requirements and symbols exist to communicate aspects of

consumer use and safety.

• Examples of environmental and recycling symbols include:

Recycling symbol, Resin identification code (below), and Green
Dot (symbol).
 Types of Labeling
• Technologies related to shipping containers are identification
codes, bar codes, and electronic data interchange (EDI).
• These three core technologies serve to enable the business
functions in the process of shipping containers throughout the
distribution channel.
• Each type has an Essential Function:
 identification codes either relate product information or serve
as keys to other data.
 bar codes allow for the automated input of identification codes
and other data.
 EDI moves data between trading partners within the
distribution channel.
 Types of Labeling
• Elements of these core technologies include:
 UPC and EAN item identification codes
 the SCC-14 (UPC shipping container code)
 the SSCC-18 (Serial Shipping Container Codes)
 Interleaved 2-of-5 and UCC/EAN-128 (newly designated
GS1-128) bar code symbologies
 ANSI ASC X12 and UN/EDIFACT EDI standards.
 RFID labels for shipping containers are also increasing in
usage.
 Types of Labeling
• Shipments of hazardous materials or dangerous goods have
special information and symbols (labels, placards, etc) as
required by UN, country, and specific carrier requirements

Example:

• With transport packages, standardised symbols are also used

to communicate handling needs.
• Some common ones are shown below while others are listed
in ASTM D5445 "Standard Practice for Pictorial Markings
for Handling of Goods"
• ISO 780 "Pictorial marking for handling of goods".
 Packaging
• Science, art and technology of enclosing & protecting products for
distribution, storage, sale, and use

Objectives
•Protection - Objects enclosed may require protection from shock, vibration,
compression.
•Containment or agglomeration - Small objects are typically grouped together in
one package for reasons of efficiency. For example, a single box of 1000 pencils
requires less physical handling than 1000 single pencils
•Security – Plays an important role in reducing the security risks of shipment.
Packages can be made with improved tamper resistance to deter tampering and also
can have tamper-evident features to help indicate tampering
•Portion control - Single serving or single dosage packaging has a precise amount
of contents to control usage. Bulk commodities (such as salt) can be divided into
packages that are a more suitable size for individual households
 Types of Packaging
•Primary packaging is the material that first envelops
the product and holds it. This usually is the smallest
unit of distribution or use and is the package which is in
direct contact with the contents.

•Secondary packaging is outside the primary packaging

– perhaps used to group primary packages together.

•Tertiary packaging is used for bulk handling,

warehouse storage and transport shipping.
Packaging: Preferences

•Prevention
•Minimization
•Reuse
•Recycling
•Energy recovery
•Disposal
Labeling: Best Practices
 Suggestions:
• The marks should appear in certain order.
Essential data should be placed in oblong frames
with lines 1.5 centimetres thick, and subsidiary
information should be placed in another type of
frame.
• 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.
 Suggestions:
• 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 reversed 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.
• Stick-on labels should only be used on individual
package or parcel and all old labels should be
removed.
 Suggestions:
• Lettering should be at least 7.5 centimetres
high for essential data, and at least 3.5
centimetres 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.
 Suggestions:
• Marking should be made by 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-D-C, H.N; 3-8 : 6-
9 and 1-7.
• The surface to be marked should be smooth and
clean. If packages are to be bonded, they can be
marked before this is done; the hoops should not
however, cover the markings.
 Suggestions
• Country of Origin Markings
The country of origin (C/O) is the country where the goods
are grown, produced or manufactured. Typical wordings are:
Made in [name of the country]
          --- for example  Made in Canada

Product of [name of the country]

          --- for example  Product of USA
• The C/O marking normally is required on the product, the
inner package and the master package in a permanent manner,
in legible words (some countries may require a minimum size
of the words), and in a conspicuous place.
 Suggestions
 Marking Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are not toys, playing with them can be hazardous! As a
safety precaution and a reminder to consumers, the exporter may
print on plastic bags used in packaging the goods:

WARNING!   TO AVOID DANGER OF SUFFOCATION, KEEP THIS

BAG AWAY FROM BABIES AND CHILDREN. DO NOT
USE IN CRIBS, BEDS, CARRIAGES, OR PLAYPENS.
THIS IS NOT A TOY.