Marking
There are 3 principal types of marking which may have to he done on export packages:
1. The consignees’ own distinctive marks.
2. Any official mark required by authorities.
3. Special directions or warnings. In addition, weights and dimensions may be
required.
Good clear marking is essential if the goods are not to go astray, and for this reason marks are usually made by paint, inks or dyes through a metal stencil. Wooden cases are sometimes marked by burned impressions in the wood itself.
Under 1 we have the shippers’ or importers’ own marks, which arc registered and so serve as identification. These marks are as important to the many people engaged in shipping as the address on an envelope is to the postman. They include the name of the port of destination.
Under 2 we have special marks demanded by the country of export or import. Some countries require the name of the country of origin of the goods to be marked on every package, and weights and dimensions may also be required.
Under 3 we have some special instructions regarding manner of handling, loading, lifing, etc., and various warnings both for the owner’s and the carrier’s benefit.
Specimens of marks
1 K R LTV
Durban X
Brisbane
2
FOREIGN PRODUCE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Net weight 100 kg. Dimensions
Gross weight 125kg. 1m. x 1.5m. x 2.25m.
Tare 25kg.
3
THIS SIDE UP FRAGILE
STOW AWAY FROM HEAT USE NO HOOKS
TO BE KEPT COOL DO NOT DROP
GLASS WITH CARE PERISHABLE
TOP KEEP DRY
ACID – WITH CARE OPEN THIS END
DO NOT STOW ON DECK INFLAMMABLE
LIFT HERE HANDLE WITH CARE
In the past it very often happened that even clearly marked containers were roughly handled or wrongly stored – simply because the stevedores loading or unloading them could not understand the directions and warnings! For this reason the practice has developed of stencilling symbols representing warnings and directions: these can be understood by speakers of any language.
Figure 30
Exporter informs prospective customer of packing and marking procedures.
The buyer (or importer) has the right to stipulate (i.e. to state and demand exactly what he wants) the correct form of packing and shipment. No buyer wants to find his goods damaged or missing on arrival. No supplier wants this to happen either. He may lose a customer.
The buyer will want the supplier to stencil special marks and numbers on the boxes, cartons, crates and other containers.
The supplier will give him this information, together with details of the dates, ports of call (if any) and scheduled arrival date in an ‘advice of despatch’.
There are special difficulties in export packing, and there are new methods of containerization, loading and unloading. For these and many other reasons firms employ a special export packing service or a forwarding agent to arrange their export packing for them.
Figure 31
The buyer sends the instructions for packing and marking.