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This guide discusses the importance of clear communication in global business, particularly in the logistics chain. It discusses the significance of symbols on packaging, including shipping and international symbols, and how to handle goods safely. It also discusses the importance of ensuring that packages reach their destination safely.
Why Are Symbols on Packaging Important?
Packaging symbols help convey information about an item’s fragility, flammability, or weight, ensuring safe delivery and avoiding customs confusion. These symbols are globally recognized, reducing the risk of accidents, damage, or shipping delays. E-commerce businesses must adhere to each country’s shipping rules by using the appropriate packaging signs when shipping goods abroad. This ensures the safe and efficient handling of goods.
Common Shipping and Packing Signs You Should Know
To help you understand these symbols better, we’ve put together a full list of some of the most popular packaging symbols and what they mean.
Fragile
This sign, which looks like a broken wine glass, means that the package’s contents are fragile and should be handled carefully. It essentially means not to drop, shake or press too hard on the package. It is to be used when shipping fragile things like glass, ceramics or electronic parts that are likely to break during transit.
This Way Up
Most of the time, this symbol looks like two arrows going up. It tells people who are handling the package to always keep it straight. If you don’t follow these steps, there could be leaks or damage. It is to be used for semi-liquid or liquid products and products that need to be positioned in a certain way, like tools or food that comes in a package.
Keep away from moisture
This sign which looks like an umbrella with raindrops on it tells you that the package shouldn’t be exposed to water or rain. It’s very important when shipping things that water or humidity could harm. It is to be used when shipping electronics or foods that go bad quickly and that can be damaged by water.
Temperature Sensitive
If a package has a snowflake or a temperature label on it, it means that the items inside need to be kept or moved into a cool place. This sign is used to make sure that temperature-sensitive items like medicines, food that goes bad quickly and some chemicals are handled correctly.
Do Not Stack
This sign is used to make sure that the item doesn’t get any extra weight or packages on top of it. It usually has a picture of a box with a big “X” through it or a picture of stacked boxes with a line through them. Use it when you want to protect fragile items or packages that might get crushed by other items like electronics or light materials.
Important Symbols for International Packaging
When sending things across countries, it’s very important to know how to use international symbols. No matter what language is used, these symbols make sure that goods are handled with care.
Symbols for Dangerous Materials
Symbols for hazardous materials are used all over the world to show that a product includes substances that could be harmful or dangerous. These can be anything from flammable liquids to poisons that are harmful. When dangerous things are shipped across international borders, they often need a special permit or to follow certain rules. It is to be used for chemicals, batteries, pressurized gasses or anything else that is considered hazardous or risky.
The recycle symbol
The recycling sign is a globally recognized symbol indicating that the packaging is made from recyclable materials, encouraging businesses and individuals to make environmentally-friendly choices by recycling their products and packaging.
CE Marking
Products that are sold in the European Economic Area (EEA) must have the CE mark. It proves that the item meets European standards for safety, health, and the environment. It is to be used when shipping or selling things inside of Europe, mostly electronics, tools or medical gadgets.
Fair Trade Certification
Fair Trade labels are crucial for packaging that promotes ethical business practices, demonstrating respect for workers’ rights and the environment, particularly for fair-trade goods, textiles, food and goods from developing countries.
Tips for Selecting the Best Packaging Symbols for Your Company
It’s important to pick the right labels for your business out of all the ones that are out there. This is dependent upon the goods you’re sending, the countries that you’re sending them to and any rules that might be relevant. Follow these guidelines to pick the right symbols:
- Know what kind of goods you have. Is it fragile, perishable, or dangerous? How many symbols you need will depend on the type of item you’re sending.
- Look into the rules and restrictions of the country where you want to ship to. Each country has its own rules and restrictions. Make sure that the symbols you use are legal for international shipping and meet the needs of the place where the package is going.
- Symbols on packaging should be easy to read and can be seen clearly. If you have to, put them on all sides of the package so that people who touch it can’t miss them.
- If you’re shipping unique items like personalized cakes or custom goods, make sure your packaging shows that by using the right packaging signs along with personalized bakery boxes.
Packaging Labels for Certain Businesses
Packaging symbols vary across different businesses. In the food business, symbols like “Keep Dry” and “Temperature Sensitive” are crucial for ensuring freshness of baked goods. In the electronics business, symbols like “Fragile” and “Keep Dry” are essential for preventing breakage of fragile parts. “This Way Up” ensures product placement and prevents product breakage. In the pharmaceutical business, “Temperature Sensitive” is used for pharmaceutical goods that need specific temperature and are considered dangerous, adhering to international regulations.
Packaging Signs for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Products
Companies are increasingly adopting eco-friendly packaging methods, using symbols like the Mobius Loop to promote recycling and biodegradability. This symbol indicates that the packaging can be composted naturally without harming the environment. The “Green Dot” signifies that the company supports recycling efforts. Brands that prioritize environmental care should consider using these symbols to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. This approach encourages customers to return to environmentally friendly packaging.
Conclusion
Shipping labels and packaging are crucial for ensuring items are handled carefully during shipping. Choosing the right packaging signs for domestic and foreign shipping including fragile, dangerous, or quickly deteriorating goods can prevent damage, ensure timely deliveries and boost customer satisfaction. Eco-friendly labels can also attract environmentally-conscious customers. These symbols speed up the shipping process, ensure safe delivery and comply with international regulations. So, the next time you send packages of custom cake boxes with logo, make sure it has the right packing symbols clearly marked on it.
