Shipping marks and carton label template

Shipping marks are the short block of text printed or labeled on every export carton. They let the forwarder, the carrier and the buyer's warehouse identify each package and match it to the packing list and the commercial invoice without opening it.

What to print on each carton

A common layout is:

• Buyer or consignee mark: a short name or code the buyer recognizes, often in a box or diamond.
• Destination: port or city.
• Order or PO number.
• Carton number and total: for example, C/No. 7 of 24.
• Net and gross weight of that carton.
• Dimensions of that carton.
• Country of origin, for example Made in USA.
• Handling marks, if needed: "This side up", "Fragile", "Keep dry".

Check your buyer's routing guide. Many importers and retailers specify exact marks, label sizes and positions.

Common mistakes

• Carton numbers that do not match the packing list ranges.
• Weights on the carton that differ from the packing list.
• Missing country-of-origin marking. Many importing countries require goods or their containers to show origin.
• Marks the buyer does not recognize, because the buyer's own routing guide was not followed.

Generated from the packing data

Packlistly prints one label per carton from the same packing data as your packing list, with carton numbers, weights and dimensions taken from the same packing data. The Free plan includes 5 shipments a month.

FAQ

What is the difference between shipping marks and a carton label?

People use both terms. Here, shipping marks are the identifying text block, and the carton label is the printed sticker that carries it on each carton.

What size should carton labels be?

4 × 6 inches is common in the U.S. Follow your buyer's routing guide if it names a size.

Official sources

• International Trade Administration, Common Export Documents: https://www.trade.gov/common-export-documents