Shipping Marks: What Must You Print on Export Cartons?

Shipping marks are the identification printed on the outside of export cartons and crates. UNECE Recommendation No. 15, “Simpler Shipping Marks”, defines a standard mark of four elements: the consignee’s or buyer’s abbreviated name, a reference number, the destination and the package number. What goes on the carton must match the shipping-mark fields on the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading (B/L), so check them line by line before printing.

Key takeaways

• The UNECE Recommendation 15 standard mark has four elements in a set order: abbreviated name, reference number, destination, package number.
• Any element not needed for a shipment can be dropped, but the destination is always shown.
• Weight, dimensions and origin go in separate information marks.
• Handling symbols follow ISO 780:2015.
• The marks on the cartons must match the commercial invoice, packing list and B/L exactly.

What goes into a standard shipping mark?

UNECE Recommendation 15 (fourth edition, ECE/TRADE/243) recommends four elements in a fixed order, shown the same way on packages and in documents. Any element that is unnecessary for a shipment may be omitted.

1. Abbreviated name: initials or a short name for the consignee or buyer (e.g. ABC). Full name and address are not shown unless the mode of transport requires it, as in rail or road transport.
2. Reference number: one short number, such as the order or invoice number (e.g. 4512). The recommendation advises against labels like “Order No.” and against adding the year or date.
3. Destination: the port or place of ultimate destination (e.g. SINGAPORE). This is always shown.
4. Package number: the package’s number and the total (e.g. 12/50).

ABC
4512
SINGAPORE
12/50

The full text is in the UNECE Recommendation 15 PDF.

Where do weight, dimensions and origin go?

They go in information marks kept separate from the standard mark. UNECE Recommendation 15 treats the two as different things.

For example, beside or below the mark (figures are illustrative):

• G.W. 18.5 KGS
• N.W. 16.0 KGS
• MEAS. 60×40×35 CM
• MADE IN KOREA

Origin marking follows the importing country’s rules. In the US, 19 U.S.C. §1304 requires imported articles and their containers to show the English name of the country of origin. For other markets, check local rules and the buyer’s instructions.

Which standard covers handling symbols?

The international standard is ISO 780:2015, “Packaging — Distribution packaging — Graphical symbols for handling and storage of packages”. It defines 17 language-independent symbols and says they should be used only when necessary.

Common ones are Fragile, This way up, Keep away from rain, No hand hooks and the centre-of-gravity mark. ISO 780 does not cover instructions specific to dangerous goods, which follow separate rules such as the IMDG Code. See the ISO 780:2015 page.

Why must the marks match the documents?

Cargo is sorted and cleared by checking the carton marks against the documents. A different hyphen, slash or space can make it look like a different consignment.

The Marks and Numbers field on the B/L and the shipping-mark fields on the commercial invoice and packing list should match the cartons. Under a letter of credit, inconsistent wording between documents can be raised as a discrepancy and delay payment. See Commercial Invoice vs Packing List and Bill of Lading vs Sea Waybill.

What are the most common shipping-mark mistakes?

The most common is a reference number written differently on the cartons and in the documents. Cramming too much information into the mark is close behind.

• Writing the consignee’s full name and address, which makes the mark hard to read.
• Different reference formats on invoice and cartons (e.g. 4512 vs PO-4512).
• Missing or duplicated carton numbers, which makes tallying hard.
• Hand-drawn symbols that don’t look like the ISO 780 ones.
• Similar marks to another shipper’s cargo in an LCL consolidation, so cartons get mixed up.

FAQ

Is anything required beyond the four standard elements?

The four elements are what UNECE Recommendation 15 sets as standard. Many importing countries also require origin marking, and in practice gross weight, net weight and dimensions are added separately. Check the importing country’s rules and the buyer’s instructions.

How should country of origin be marked for the US?

19 U.S.C. §1304 requires imported articles and their containers to show the English name of the country of origin. “MADE IN KOREA” is a common form; check US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidance for details.

Must carton numbers run from 1 in order?

The recommended format is “number/total”, so 50 cartons run from 1/50 to 50/50. If the letter of credit sets a different numbering format, follow it.

Can handling symbols replace the shipping mark?

No. Symbols tell people how to handle the package; the mark tells them whose it is and where it is going. They do different jobs.

Sources

• UNECE, Recommendation No. 15 Simpler Shipping Marks (ECE/TRADE/243): https://unece.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/Rec15-ECE-TRADE-243E_Revised.pdf
• ISO, ISO 780:2015 Graphical symbols for handling and storage of packages: https://www.iso.org/standard/59933.html
• 19 U.S.C. §1304 (marking of imported articles and containers): https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/19/1304