Preparing goods for dispatch
Packing and labeling | Containers
Demands
connected to packing and labeling
As soon as your product runs the risk of being mixed up with others or of being
load broken during transit, the packaging has to contend with different kinds
of demands.
- Protecting
the product
-
The product must be safe from shock and other physical damage, such as chemical
corrosion, climate changes (in the case of marine transport, goods can be
stored in port - when transporting by train or lorry in the summer,
temperatures can reach 60 oC in the sun, even in northern countries), from
thefts and willful damage, ... To the transporter, a product is in good
condition if the outer wrapper is intact. Certain forms of packing are designed
to produce this effect: The outer wrapper can be torn easily through careless
handling, but the product is protected by a secondary layer of packaging.
- Ease
of handling
-
The packing must assist the progress of loading and unloading. To transport
packages,it must be possible to hold and carry them. If the dimensions or the
weight exceed what an individual can comfortably carry, aids such as handles or
straps must be added. Furthermore, although handlers are relatively well
equipped in Europe, it is not necessarily the case in all other destinations.
For example before sending your product on pallets, make sure that the destination has the
means to lift them!
- The
loading unit
- It is desirable to standardize the packages and to try and supply
dimensions which are sub-multiples of the ULDs
internal dimensions, as is usual
for marine and airborne containers, pallets, train wagons, ... Even if you
chose the conventional way, i.e.: by packages or boxes, respecting this
practice will facilitate things if it is ever decided to start transporting
using ULD;
- The
period of conservation
- The product might be stored for a very long period for reasons outside
its normal function, for example in the case of shipping to the other side of
the world, setting up a supply of spare parts, creating a strategic reserve, in
case of shortages, ... It is therefore essential to know the period of further
conservation, being the result of logistical constraints. The product must
obviously still be fit for use after a long period of conservation. If this
supplementary conservation period cannot be established, there must be a
guaranteed conservation limit date..
- Weight
- The cost of transport is determined on the basis of weight and/or
volume, lighter and/or smaller packages are preferable.
- Volume
- Is it possible for the product to be dismantled or adjusted in such a
way as to create a standard volume to take advantage of a better price and
better transport, handling and storing conditions? Additionally, if for example
your product must be stored in a certain " top-bottom "
position, it is better not to rely on labeling alone, but have packing that
ensures correct storage (A sharp point as an example).
- Regulations
- All transport organisations, and most countries administer packing and
material regulations, in particular concerning labeling.
- Labeling
- The packing will include such things as the name, address, the location
of the sender and addressee, the standardised instructions concerning handling,
information for customs, notification of dangerous substances, ... These
indications are subject to (national) standards which ought to be respected.
Handling instructions must be legible, identifiable, indelible, and correspond
to the rules of the destination country. Those instructions are, for example,
Top, Bottom, Open this way, Fragile, etc., or are represented by pictograms (a
glass = fragile, an umbrella = keep dry, etc.) However, the contents of
the package must never be mentioned, due to the frequency of thefts. 25 % of
goods lost during transit are in fact stolen.
Examples
of pictograms
- Eliminating
waste
- As far as waste is concerned, most European countries currently operate
strict legislation. Industrial packing is included in this. Respecting this
legislation is expensive. The use of certain materials will therefore be
avoided, particularly those with which are impossible to recycle or re-use.
- The
client's requests -
Buyers often have reception and storage procedures, which have to be respected.
The packing will have to be adapted to the transport and handling it will
endure, and to the client's internal constraints.
It is important to choose sturdy packaging, which is suitable for the form of
transport, as 50 % of losses during transit can be attributed to inappropriate
packing.
Inappropriate
packing can lead to:
- a commercial loss, as the appearance of the product is neither attractive nor
reliable;
- a financial loss, if the consignee refuses to pay upon receipt;
- a
loss as far as insurance coverage is concerned, as insurance companies will
refuse to compensate for faulty packing. As well, insurance premiums increase
depending directly on how many accidents have been recorded.
Supervising
labelling and packing
The
problem of packing can be solved internally or externally:
- if
the exporter produces his own packing, it will have to be submitted to
laboratory tests, which will result in a certificate which testifies the
specifications and matches up packing and product. Such a certificate protects
the sender who is then certain of being indemnified without being blamed for
faulty packaging. Absolute reliability can only be obtained with the
International Packing Guarantee Certificate ;
- if
the exporter opts for a sub-contractor, he is guaranteed important indemnity if
the packer's responsibility is established in an accident, as is
compliant with regulations.
