Each export carton of jewellery should carry a shipping mark that identifies the buyer, the purchase order number, the carton number out of the total, gross and net weight, carton dimensions and "Made in India". These marks let customs, the forwarder and your warehouse match each carton to the documents without opening it.
Keep the outside plain otherwise. Printing "jewellery" or a well-known brand on the carton makes it a target for theft.
What to print
- Shipping mark: a short buyer code or name and destination, as agreed with your forwarder.
- Purchase order number and, if useful, a lot number.
- Carton number in the form "Carton 3 of 24".
- Gross weight and net weight in kilograms.
- Carton dimensions in centimetres.
- Country of origin: "Made in India".
- Handling marks such as "Fragile" or "Keep dry" where needed.
Match the documents
The carton numbers, weights and quantities on the boxes must match the packing list and the commercial invoice exactly. If they differ, customs may hold the shipment for a physical check. A carton that is missing or mislabelled is hard to trace through a busy airport or courier hub.
Print marks on two adjacent sides so they can be read however the cartons are stacked. Use labels that resist damp, or print directly on the carton.
Retailer and marketplace requirements
Large retailers and fulfilment centres often have their own carton label rules, such as a carton barcode, a set label position and a maximum carton weight. Get their guide before packing starts. A shipment that breaks their rules can be refused or charged for relabelling. See what a jewellery purchase order should include for putting these rules in the order.
Agree the marks with your freight forwarder before the cartons are printed. The forwarder may need a particular shipping mark or a booking reference on each carton to match the air waybill. A short marking instruction, with a drawn example of one carton face, avoids most mistakes.
Weigh each carton after sealing, not before, and write the real figure on it. Estimated weights are a common source of mismatch between the cartons, the packing list and the air waybill, and airlines and couriers recheck weights at the terminal. A difference can lead to extra charges or a held shipment.
Number cartons in a set order, for example by style group, so your warehouse can find a style without opening every box. A short carton index that lists what sits in each carton number, sent with the packing list, makes receiving much faster.
What this means for a buyer
Send your carton marking instructions with the order, not after production. Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing. We check carton marks against the packing list at Rajkot workshops and supervise sealing. Ask for a free sourcing review.