What goes on an export shipping mark?
A shipping mark is the set of standardized markings stenciled or labeled on the outside of an export carton so everyone who handles it — the forwarder, the port, customs, the consignee — can identify and route it without opening it. There’s a conventional structure, and following it prevents the delays that come from a carton nobody can match to its paperwork. This builder lays your shipment out in that structure.
The standard elements
- Main mark — the buyer’s mark or a PO reference that ties the carton to the order.
- Destination — the port of discharge or final destination.
- Case number — written as "X of Y" so a partial shipment is obvious (case 3 of 20).
- Gross and net weight and dimensions — for handling, freight, and load planning.
- Country of origin — "Made in ___", a customs requirement.
- Handling symbols — this-way-up, fragile, keep-dry, as applicable.
Make the marks match the paperwork
The single most common cause of a customs hold from marking is a mismatch: the mark, weights, or case count on the carton don’t agree with the commercial invoice and packing list. Generate the mark here, then reconcile every field against those documents before you print and apply. Consistent marks move faster than perfect ones that don’t match.
Questions
What is a shipping mark?
It is the standardized set of markings on the outside of an export carton — a main mark or PO reference, destination, case number as "X of Y", gross and net weight, dimensions, country of origin, and handling symbols — that lets forwarders, ports, and customs identify and handle the shipment without opening it. This builder lays your details out in that conventional structure.
What information goes on an export carton?
A buyer/consignee mark, the consignee, the destination or port of discharge, a PO or order number, the case number written as X of Y, gross and net weight, the carton dimensions, the country of origin, and handling symbols such as this-way-up, fragile, and keep-dry. Keeping these consistent across every carton and matching the paperwork is what prevents delays.
Why write the case number as "X of Y"?
So a partial or short shipment is immediately visible. "Case 3 of 20" tells anyone handling it how many cartons belong to the shipment, which makes it easy to spot a missing box at the port, the warehouse, or on receipt — far clearer than an unqualified case number.
Do shipping marks have to match the commercial invoice?
Yes. The marks, weights, and case counts on the cartons should agree with the commercial invoice and packing list. A mismatch is one of the most common causes of a customs hold, because it makes the shipment hard to reconcile. Generate the mark, then verify every field against your export documents before printing.
Is this shipping mark template free?
Yes, and ungated — fill in the shipment details and copy or print the mark. Nothing is stored and no sign-up is required; it runs entirely in your browser.
Get the case and pack right first.
We size the case, the pallet, and the freight so your shipping marks describe a pack that actually ships well.