Export Carton Shipping Marks: What to Print on the Master Cartons of Your Packaging Order
Quick answer
Shipping marks are the identification printed or labelled on each export master carton so that forwarders, customs and your warehouse can match it to the paperwork. A practical set is: main marks with your company short name or logo, destination, PO number and carton number (for example C/No. 15/120); side marks with item or SKU, quantity per carton, net and gross weight, carton dimensions and country of origin. Send the final marks to the factory with the purchase order, so they are ready before packing starts.
Quick facts: Custom Packaging Boxes
- Indicative unit price: about US$0.05–0.10 per piece. This is a guide, not a quotation: the final price depends on size, material, print colours, finish and order quantity.
- MOQ: typically from 500 pcs per size and artwork; the confirmed minimum depends on material, print method and features and is stated on the quotation.
- Lead time: Physical samples 5–7 working days after artwork is confirmed; bulk production 20–30 days after sample approval.
- Who makes it: BestPackFactory’s own factory in Longhua District, Shenzhen, China. Free dieline and artwork proof within 24 hours. See real samples and videos.
- Specifications and quote: Custom Packaging Boxes · Request a quote
Shipping mark template
| Field | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Consignee short name or logo | ACME CO. | Identifies your cargo in a shared warehouse or container without printing a full address |
| Destination | HAMBURG or LOS ANGELES | Helps the forwarder route the carton, especially in LCL consolidation |
| PO / order number | PO 2026-118 | Links the carton to the invoice and packing list |
| Carton number | C/No. 15/120 | Lets you count and trace cartons and spot a missing one |
| Item / SKU and description | MAILER BOX 250×180×80 – BLUE | Receiving staff can put away stock without opening cartons |
| Quantity per carton | QTY: 200 PCS | Allows a quick count against the order |
| Net / gross weight | N.W. 11.5 KG / G.W. 12.6 KG | Needed for freight, handling and the packing list |
| Carton dimensions | MEAS: 52×38×30 CM | Used to calculate volume and plan pallets |
| Country of origin | MADE IN CHINA | Many importing countries require origin marking; check the rules for your destination |
Main marks usually go on two opposite faces of the carton; side marks go on the other two faces. Actual weights and carton sizes should be updated from the packed goods, not copied from the quotation.
Main marks versus side marks
Main marks answer "whose carton is this and where is it going?": your mark or short name, destination, PO number and carton number. They should be readable from a distance and appear on at least two sides so they stay visible on a pallet. Side marks answer "what is inside?": item, quantity, weights, size and origin. Some buyers add handling symbols such as "keep dry" and "this way up"; the internationally recognised pictograms are set out in ISO 780.
Keep marks in plain capital letters in English (and in the destination language if your warehouse needs it). Avoid putting prices, supplier names or product claims on the carton unless you have a reason to.
Printed marks, labels or stencils?
- Printed directly on the carton looks tidy and cannot fall off, but the text is fixed. It suits repeat orders with a stable layout.
- Printed labels are the most flexible for small and mixed orders: carton numbers, weights and SKUs can change per carton.
- Stencils or stamps are a low-cost option for plain brown cartons when only a few fields vary.
Which method is used for your order, and whether it affects price, is confirmed in the quotation.
Amazon FBA labels are different from shipping marks
If cartons go straight into an Amazon fulfilment centre, each box needs the box ID label generated in Seller Central for that specific shipment, plus any carrier label. These labels can only be created once the shipment plan exists, so either send the PDF to the factory before packing or have your forwarder or prep centre apply them. Keep the normal shipping marks as well, place labels on a flat face away from seams, and make sure no old barcode can be scanned by mistake. Amazon changes its carton rules from time to time, so check the current requirements; our packaging for Amazon FBA guide covers prep in more detail.
Forwarder marks and the bill of lading
For LCL or consolidated air shipments, your forwarder may ask for a booking or warehouse receipt number on every carton. Ask before packing so it can be printed with the other marks rather than handwritten later.
The "marks and numbers" on the bill of lading or air waybill, the commercial invoice and the packing list should describe the same marks and carton range that are on the cartons. A mismatch can slow customs clearance or delivery, and it makes any later damage claim harder to document. Ask the supplier for a packing list that shows carton number ranges by SKU, for example "C/No. 1–60: tuck box A; 61–120: tuck box B".
When to send marks to the factory
- With the purchase order: send a shipping mark sheet with every fixed field (mark, destination, PO, origin, handling symbols).
- Before packing: confirm the quantity per carton and any forwarder or FBA labels.
- After packing: ask for photos of a few marked cartons from different pallets and the final packing list with real weights and dimensions.
- Before shipping documents are issued: check that the marks on the photos, packing list and bill of lading agree.
If you are still choosing between FOB, DDP and air freight, see shipping custom packaging from China; this article only covers how the cartons are marked.
What to include in your RFQ
- Whether you need printed marks, labels or neutral cartons without supplier details.
- Your shipping mark sheet, or a request for the supplier's standard layout to approve.
- Target quantity per master carton and any maximum carton weight set by your warehouse or carrier.
- Whether cartons go to your warehouse, a forwarder, a 3PL or Amazon.
- Your product details, for example custom boxes or custom packaging boxes, so the supplier can propose a sensible carton count.
Common mistakes
- Restarting carton numbers for each SKU without a separate mark, so two cartons both read "1/40".
- Weights copied from the quotation instead of measured after packing.
- Marks on one face only, hidden once the carton is stacked on a pallet.
- Stretch wrap or strapping placed over the marks.
- Old barcodes left visible next to a new FBA label.
- Sending marks after the goods are already packed.
Frequently asked questions
What are shipping marks on export cartons?
Shipping marks are the identification printed or labelled on each master carton: usually the buyer's mark or short name, destination, PO number and carton number, plus side marks for item, quantity, net and gross weight, dimensions and country of origin.
What does C/No. 15/120 mean on a carton?
It is the carton number: carton 15 of a shipment of 120 cartons. It lets the receiver count cartons, trace a missing one and match each carton to the packing list.
Do shipping marks need to match the bill of lading?
They should. The marks and numbers on the bill of lading or air waybill, the commercial invoice and the packing list should describe the same marks and carton range as the cartons themselves, otherwise clearance and claims can be delayed.
Are Amazon FBA box labels the same as shipping marks?
No. FBA box ID labels are generated in Seller Central for a specific shipment and are needed in addition to normal shipping marks. They can only be printed once the shipment plan is created.
Related pages
Send your shipping mark sheet with the order
Share your product, quantities, destination and shipping mark layout, and say whether cartons go to your warehouse, a forwarder or Amazon. Every BestPackFactory product is made in our own factory, with an MOQ of 500 PCS; packing, marking and shipping terms are confirmed in the quotation and order contract. You can also reach Lisa on WhatsApp at +86 158 8653 0985 or by email at lisa@colorprintingpackage.com.
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