Introduction
An important stage after manufacturing of goods or their procurement is their
preparation for shipment which involves packaging and labelling of goods to be
exported. Proper packaging and labelling not only makes the final product look
attractive but also save a huge amount of money by saving the product from wrong
handling the export process.
Packaging
The primary role of packaging is to contain, protect and preserve a product as
well as aid in its handling and final presentation. Packaging also refers to the
process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. The packaging can be
done within the export company or the job can be assigned to an outside
packaging company. Packaging provides following benefits to the goods to be
exported:
- Physical Protection – Packaging provides
protection against shock, vibration, temperature, moisture and dust.
- Containment or agglomeration – Packaging
provides agglomeration of small objects into one package for reason of
efficiency and cost factor. For example it is better to put 1000 pencils in
one box rather than putting each pencil in separate 1000 boxes.
- Marketing: Proper and attractive
packaging play an important role in encouraging a potential buyer.
• Convenience - Packages can have features which add convenience in
distribution, handling, display, sale, opening, use, and reuse.
- Security - Packaging can play an
important role in reducing the security risks of shipment. It also provides
authentication seals to indicate that the package and contents are not
counterfeit. Packages also can include anti-theft devices, such as
dye-packs, RFID tags, or electronic article surveillance tags, that can be
activated or detected by devices at exit points and require specialized
tools to deactivate. Using packaging in this way is a means of loss
prevention.
Labeling
Like packaging, labeling should also be done with extra
care. It is also important for an exporter to be familiar with all kinds of sign
and symbols and should also maintain all the nationally and internationally
standers while using these symbols. Labelling should be in English, and words
indicating country of origin should be as large and as prominent as any other
English wording on the package or label.
Labelling on product provides the following important
information:
- Shipper's mark
- Country of origin
- Weight marking (in pounds and in kilograms)
- Number of packages and size of cases (in inches and
centimeters)
- Handling marks (international pictorial symbols)
- Cautionary markings, such as "This Side Up."
- Port of entry
- Labels for hazardous materials
Labelling of a product also provides information like how to use, transport,
recycle, or dispose of the package or product.
With
pharmaceuticals,
food,
medical, and
chemical products, some types of information are
required by governments.
It is better to choose a fast dyes for labelling purpose.
Only fast dyes should be used for
labeling. Essential data should be in black and subsidiary data in a less
conspicuous colour; red and orange and so on. 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.
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