EXPORT LABELING AND MARKING

It is a requirement in many importing countries that the products be labeled in the country's language when selling to the national market. Labeling requirements vary from country to country. It is important to follow closely the buyer's labeling instructions. For example, in the labeling of food products and drugs, besides the country of origin marking, it is often a requirement that the names of the foreign manufacturer and local distributor, the ingredients and the expiry date be clearly marked on the package. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN 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 CHINA Product of [name of the country] --- for example PRODUCT OF CHINA 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. The permanent marking can be in the form of printing, stenciling, embossing, and other means, such as casting and molding. In certain countries, it is not uncommon that the importer may request that stickers (printed labels) are used to mark the product and its package, instead of a permanent marking, in order that it can be removed or altered later so they can sell the product at a higher price. Export Packing The type and nature of the export packing is influenced by factors such as: Kind of product Use crates for large and heavy objects like machines, bags for powder like cement, plastic drums or containers for liquids like acetic acids, wooden cases for small and heavy items like nails, and bales for bulky materials like cotton. Mode of transportation In areas with higher incidence of loss or damage due to mishandling, theft and pilferage, the more and stronger packing is necessary. Climatic conditions Desiccants (drying agent) and/or special packing materials, such as waxed paper and laminated foil, may be required in areas with high moisture levels and for goods that are prone to sweating. Customs duties and freight rates Lighter and less packing material is preferred in cases where the specific duty or the freight rate is by weight basis. Cost of packing materials The exporter, being a manufacturer, may select the most economical materials and method of packing that can adequately protect the export goods. Buyer's requirements Buyers may specify the type of packing required, particularly in the OEM arrangements. If the buyer's demand for packing is 'too much' which adds to the export cost, the manufacturer may recommend suitable packing. Master Export Packs corrugated carton (box) The most widely used in export shipments. The corrugated carton can be double walled or triple walled, with a bursting strength of 250 PSI (pounds per square inch) or more. It can be strengthened with plastic straps or wooden framing. The carton is: light ---- useful where the freight rate and customs duty is based on weight; more resilient ---- cushions the contents against shock; and economical ---- costs less than the wooden case or drum. Wooden case (box) It is commonly used for small, heavy items, for example hand tools, industrial cutting tools, and machine parts. It can stand up to rough handling and heavy stack loading without collapsing. The wooden case can be reinforced with steel wires (wirewound) or flat steel straps. Wooden crate It is usually used for large, heavy objects like machines. The crate can be fully sheathed for added protection against punctures and pinching effect of slings. The sling point and the center of gravity must be properly marked on the crate. Weight Limit of the Export Cartons and Wooden Cases Limit the gross weight of cartons and wooden cases to 25-30 kgs. (50-60 lbs.). Heavy packages are more likely to sustain damage during handling at the destination. Master Export Packs ----------------------------------------- Corrugated Carton ----------------------------------------- Wooden Case ----------------------------------------- Wooden Crate ----------------------------------------- Pallet Constructions and Designs Pallets are built with varied construction techniques. The materials commonly used in the construction of pallets are wood (softwood and hardwood) and plastic (high density polyethylene). Metals (steel and aluminum) are also used but less frequently. The low cost softwood pallet---made of softwoods like pine and spruce---is used for light cargo and it is expendable. The hardwood pallet---made of hardwoods like ash and maple---costs more but has greater strength than the softwood pallet, and is good for repeated use. The wooden pallet is often customized to suit the type, size and weight of the exporter's cargo and to meet handling and loading requirements. The plastic pallet generally costs more than a wooden pallet of the same size, but it is chemical and moisture resistant, cleans easily, is lighter, and will not splinter. Hence, the plastic pallet is more durable than the wooden pallet. Nevertheless, the wooden pallet is used most often in export shipments. Basic Pallet Designs Two-Way or Four-Way Pallets A two-way pallet allows forking at the two opposite sides of the pallet, while a four-way pallet allows forking at all four sides. The four-way pallet is good for both pallet orientations [1] and [2]. --------------------------------------- Two-Way Pallet --------------------------------------- Two-Way Pallet --------------------------------------- Four-Way Pallet --------------------------------------- Four-Way Pallet --------------------------------------- Single-Faced or Double-Faced Pallets A single-faced pallet has one full deck (i.e., non-reversible deck), which is often called a skid, while a double-faced pallet has two full decks (i.e., reversible decks). The double-faced pallet is ideal for stack loading, racking of palletized cargo, and conveyor use. --------------------------------------- Single-Faced Pallet Skid --------------------------------------- Double-Faced Pallet --------------------------------------- With Forklift Pockets or With Forklift or Pallet Truck Entries Pallets with the forklift pockets allow forking with a forklift, while pallets with the forklift or pallet truck entries allow forking with either a forklift or a pallet truck. Some pallets are designed with forklift pockets that also permit forking with a pallet truck, in which the rollers beneath the forks of the pallet truck can come in firm contact with the floor of warehouse and container. --------------------------------------- With Forklift Pockets --------------------------------------- With Forklift or Pallet Truck Entries --------------------------------------- Variations of Basic Pallet Designs Two-Way Single-Faced Pallet It is usually made of wood, with forklift or pallet truck entries. --------------------------------------- Two-Way Single-Faced Pallet --------------------------------------- Two-Way Double-Faced Pallet It is usually made of wood, with forklift pockets. --------------------------------------- Two-Way Double-Faced Pallet --------------------------------------- Four-Way Single-Faced Pallet It is usually made of wood or plastic. The four-way single-faced pallet made of wood may have a 'half-deck' at the bottom. The four-way single-faced pallet made of plastic usually does not have a bottom deck. --------------------------------------- Four-Way Single-Faced Pallet ('Half-deck' bottom) --------------------------------------- Four-Way Double-Faced Pallet It is usually made of plastic or wood, with forklift pockets at all four sides. --------------------------------------- Four-Way Double-Faced Pallet --------------------------------------- Sea Containers Equipment Interior Dimensions Cubic Capacity 45' High Cube Container L: 13.582 m 44' 6 1/2'' W: 2.347 m 7' 8 1/4'' H: 2.690 m 8' 10'' 85.7 cbm 3,026 cu. ft 40' High Cube Container L: 12.056 m 39' 6 1/2'' W: 2.347 m 7' 8 1/4'' H: 2.380 m 7' 9 1/2'' 76.0 cbm. 2,684 cu. ft 40' Dry Freight Container L: 12.051 m 39' 6 1/2'' W: 2.340 m 7' 8'' H: 2.380 m 7' 9 1/2'' 67.3 cbm. 2,377 cu. ft. 20' Dry Freight Container L: 5.919 m 19' 5'' W: 2.340 m 7' 8'' H: 2.380 m 7' 9 1/2'' 33.0 cbm 1,165 cu. ft. 20' Open Top Container L: 5.919 m 19' 5'' W: 2.340 m 7' 8'' H: 2,286 m 7' 6'' 31.6 cbm 1,116 cu. ft 40' Open Top Container L: 12.043 m 39' 6'' W: 2.338 m 7' 8'' H: 2.272 m 7' 5 1/4'' 64.0 cbm 2,260 cu. ft. 45'HighCubeReefer Container L: 13.102 m 42' 11 13/16'' W: 2.294 m 7' 6 5/16'' H: 2.509 m 8' 2 3/4'' 75.4 cbm 2,663 cu. ft. 40'HighCubeReefer Container L: 11.557 m 37' 11'' W: 2.286 m 7' 6'' H: 2.491 m 8' 2'' 65.8 cbm 2,324 cu. ft. 40'Reefer Container L: 11.207 m 36' 9'' W: 2.246 m 7' 4'' H: 2.183 m 7' 2'' 54.9 cbm 1,940cu.ft. 20' Flat Rack Container L:5.702 m 18' 8 1/2'' W: 2.438 m 8' H: 2.327 m 7' 7 1/2'' N/A 40' Flat Rack Container L: 11.820 m 38' 9 1/4'' W: 2.148 m 7' 6'' H: 2.095 m 6' 10 1/2'' N/A 40' Artificial Tweendeck L: 12.065 m 39' 7'' W: 2.216 m 7' 3 1/4'' N/A 40' Collapsible Flat Rack L: 12.08 m 39' 7 1/2'' W: 2.126 m 6' 11 1/2'' H: 2.043 m 6' 8 1/4'' N/A SOURCE : http://www.goasiaco.com