An important stage after manufacturing of goods or their procurement is their preparation for shipment which involves packaging and labeling of goods to be exported. Proper packaging and labeling 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)