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Do you need to ship your products internationally? Well, one essential of foreign distribution you should know is the necessity to properly pack and label your products. As we know, international symbols are one of the key packaging elements. This means that packaging symbols convey information about the package’s contents, handling, and precautions. Also, standardized symbols help the supply chain process packages accurately. This applies especially where language differences matter. In this complete guide, you will learn about shipping symbols, package symbols, and their meanings!.
Why do Packaging Symbols Matter?
In brief, the use of packaging symbols facilitates communication for product markets across borders. Accordingly, the symbol on the packaging can eliminate any misinterpretation of delicate, special-care, or storage-condition packages. Most symbols align universally for easy recognition in any language or country.
In fact, you can easily use shipping symbols to make informative custom product packaging boxes. Yes, the symbols will help in covering, preserving, and protecting delicate or sensitive objects and the individuals touching them. Let’s now proceed to the understanding of some of the common packaging symbols below!
The Glass and Fork Symbol
People often ask the question about the symbols on the packaging:
What does the glass and fork symbol mean? What does the symbol mean?
Well, if the packaging has this symbol it means that the material used is safe in contact with food. A packaging with this symbol allows the product to come into direct contact with food or drinks. Thus, it helps to avoid contamination or injury. Plus, this symbol most relevantly indicates the quality and safety of food and beverage products that humans consume.
Fragile Symbol (Glass Symbol)
The handle or word ‘fragile’ serves as a global packaging symbol that depicts broken glass to warn handlers. Basically, the packaged products are fragile and require careful handling. Typically, these international symbols are ideal for fragile objects. This includes glassware, vases, and electronics, as well as items that can break easily.
In addition, it has become a tradition to keep the Dry Symbol, which is an Umbrella with Raindrops. The umbrella box symbol raindrops in the “keep dry” sign indicates that the box shouldn’t be wet. Plus, this mark on the package indicates humidity may influence the contents. So, these symbols on packages apply to electronics, paper, and some garments.
Handle with Care Symbol
Another common symbol for the box is the handle with a care symbol. The symbol depicts two hands holding a box. This mandatory shipping symbol informs handlers that the parcel needs protection. Since the items are delicate and likely important, they should take special care when handling objects inside. This symbol is normally appearing on the shipper’s package of fragile machinery, artwork, or foodstuffs.
Way Up Symbol (Upward Arrows)
The upward orientation symbol helps place the package with two upward-facing arrows. This symbol keeps the box upright throughout packaging, handling, and storage. Hence, reducing damage or spoiling. It works well for liquids, fragile things, and products having top and bottom pieces.
Temperature-Sensitive Symbol (Thermometer)
We know that some products require that someone maintain the temperature conditions within a specific range during shipment. The cleaning, sharpness, and tray icons are self-explanatory. However, the temperature-sensitive symbol, a thermometer, informs users that the product should only be packed and used at certain temperatures. For this, you must attach this symbol to the packaging. The symbol will represent temperature-sensitive foods, medications, and chemicals that may spoil or lose efficacy at certain temperatures.
Recyclable Symbol
The trademark ‘ recyclable’ symbol comes in a triangle formed by three arrows. Mostly, you can use this symbol on recyclable items such as materials used for packaging. For example, you can have this symbol printed on your custom t-shirt boxes. With this symbol, customers will know that they can recycle your boxes rather than throw them away. Do note that the symbols for recycling might vary. Most importantly, they may sometimes indicate the type of material that can be recycled. Thus, these symbols have the effect of encouraging ecologically responsible shipping practices.
Specialized International Packaging Symbols
Some specific kinds of shipments also use international symbols that are not as familiar as the general symbols.
What are they?
Hazardous Materials Symbols
Hazardous packages should have special or suitable symbols to alert handlers or transporters. international safety standards regulate safety symbols. These symbols work for describing flammables, toxic products, and corrosive chemicals. Thus, the packaging signs are mandatory for proper handling and storage.
In addition, they reduce the risk of accidents. It is mandatory to label your packaging with these signs for the right handling, and storage, to prevent accidents.
Eco-Friendly Packaging Symbols
Currently, with more emphasis on environmental conservation, most companies are placing the biodegradable or compostable packaging symbol. With symbols like the green leaf, customers will be aware that your products and boxes are environmentally friendly. Hence, making your products ideal for those who are particular about their choices.
Why Do We Need International Shipping Symbols?
As a business owner, you must understand and use the right shipping symbols when shipping products across borders. Besides, you should use these symbols to safeguard your products and meet the requirements of International shipping. Well, incorrectly using the wrong symbols might cause delays in delivery, damage to the product, or even lead to fines.
This is why you need proper label placement.
Various factors may affect this. Yet, perhaps the most important of them is symbol placement on your packaging. So, make sure you place colors, logos, and symbols at various parts of the box. This way, the handlers can easily see them.
Whenever possible, you can position Pantone colors, logos, and symbols well on the box. This way, the handlers can easily view them. Don’t forget that the permanent waterproof labels also retain the visibility of such symbols in these situations.
Understanding Regional Symbol
Variations
Existing products most of the time employ standard international symbols. However, some localities may have small differences in the symbols used or variations added to them. Thus, you must include specific symbols on your packaging to meet environmental safety regulations, for example.
What Are the Significance of Symbols in Logo and Image Custom and Promotional Packaging?
Point of purchase and specialty containers may need special symbols on the packaging product. After all, these symbols can help with the marketing strategies of a company. Most importantly, customizing your custom boxes with logo ensures that every package, with the help of packaging symbols, reaches customers without damage.
The Meaning of Packaging Box Symbols and Their Operation in the Supply Chain
To understand supply networks, you must look at the symbols in product boxes, not just on the packaging. In addition, you must frequently put a set of standard symbols on shipping containers and crates that indicate weight, stacking, and conveyance.
Have a look at the samples below!
- Symbolism (Box on top of Arrows)
The stacking sign, is usually represented by boxes and arrows. This symbol presents the maximum allowable stacking depth of a box or container. It is of the utmost importance to avoid overstocking on this box symbol in warehouse management. In simple words, it tells the handlers not to squeeze your boxes.
- Weight Limit Symbol (Scale)
Use a label with a bag of increasing weight to indicate parcel or crate weight limits. This sign on packaging helps prevent overpacking. After all, overpacking might endanger the products, the packaging, and the handlers.
Well, international trade has increased packaging demand. Accordingly, this has led to the evolution of packaging symbols. Previously, geographical symbols impeded commodity transnational movement, and use abroad. However, with international economic interactions, standardized trade symbols recognized across countries became necessary.
Basically, the difference between shipping symbols and package signs is unstandardized. However, non-profit organizations like the ISO are striving to standardize them. These are now pervasive worldwide supply chain assets that guide and assure product safety.
Final Notes
In addition to serving as symbols in the broad sea of global trade, international packaging also stands for signals vital in shipping. For example, the symbol of a glass and fork indicates a surface that can come into contact with food. Meanwhile, the delicate symbol denotes a product that is susceptible to damage. These symbols guide the shipping couriers to handle packages correctly. As a result, they will help prevent your products from getting lost in shipping.
By learning the meaning of symbols printed on packaging, the handlers and customers may work together to make your products safer. As a result, it increases the likelihood of handling errors and streamlines global supply chains.
Whether you are a large shipper, a small shipper, or someone who simply sends their goods periodically, knowing and using the correct sign in packaging is essential. In doing so, it helps improve the storage, transportation, and distribution efficiency of the things in question.
So, are you ready to ship your products internationally?
