Shipping Marks

TL;DR: Shipping marks are the identifying labels on the outside of each package. They help carriers, customs, and warehouses match packages to the documents and handle them correctly.

Typical shipping marks include the buyer’s name or code, the order or PO number, the destination port, the package number in a sequence such as 1 of 20, and the country of origin, such as “Made in China.” Many also show gross weight, net weight, and dimensions. The same marks should appear on the Packing List and, often in shortened form, on the Bill of Lading.

Handling symbols are usually added as well. Common ones mean fragile, this side up, keep dry, and do not stack. These are international pictograms, so they can be understood at any port.

Clear marks are especially useful in LCL shipments, where your cartons share a container with cargo from other shippers. Without them, packages can be mixed up or delayed at the destination warehouse. Some countries also have rules about origin marking on goods or packaging, so check with your customs broker.

For heavy, fragile goods such as glass mosaic tile sheets, ask your supplier to mark each crate or pallet with its package number and gross weight, plus fragile and this-side-up symbols. For a custom mural shipped in sections, adding the panel or section number helps installers unpack in the right order. Agree on the marks before packing starts. See also Packing List and Palletizing and Crating.