Practicalities of Import and Export for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Author: Wang Jin, Wu Jixin, Jiang Aiqing
Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-07-01
Features:
(1) Requirements for transportation packaging. When preparing transportation packaging, the packaging must comply with the characteristics of the goods. For example, glass products should be placed in anti-crushing and shock-proof containers; it must adapt to various transportation methods, such as sea freight packaging requiring firmness and the ability to prevent crushing and collision; it must comply with the regulations of the importing country, such as the United States and Canada prohibiting the use of straw or newspaper as packing material; it must be convenient for personnel at various stages to operate; the materials and design of the packaging should adhere to the principle of conservation, saving costs while ensuring the packaging is sturdy.
(2) When applying shipping marks, attention should be paid to making the markings clear and concise, and they must align with the requirements of the letter of credit. In China, the inner and outer packaging of export goods generally must be marked with the words "Made in China."
(3) When exporting hazardous materials in China, both the required Chinese marks and the international maritime hazardous materials marks must be printed to facilitate smooth customs clearance and port arrival.
(II) Sales Packaging
Sales packaging, also known as inner packaging, is the packaging that directly contacts the product and faces retail points and consumers. Its purpose is to protect and enhance the product's appeal, facilitate consumer recognition, purchase, carrying, and use, thereby promoting sales. Currently, the main types of sales packaging popular internationally include:
- Display and sales packaging, such as stackable packaging (e.g., stacked cans, bottles, and boxes in supermarkets), hanging packaging, and fold-out packaging;
- Product identification packaging, such as transparent and windowed packaging, and conventional packaging;
- Usage-oriented packaging, such as portable packaging, packaging, and gift packaging.
When using sales packaging, the following points should be noted:
1. The packaging should be convenient for transportation and storage, easy for display and sales, and user-friendly.
2. Packaging design and text descriptions. The decorative images on the packaging should be aesthetically pleasing, artistic, and highlight the product's features. At the same time, consideration should be given to the customs and traditions of the importing country or sales region, as well as preferences and taboos regarding colors, graphics, and numbers. Different colors and patterns should be used for different regions. For example, the Japanese favor duck and turtle patterns, as well as the color black; Southeast Asian countries prefer elephant patterns and the color green; Americans dislike bear patterns. Additionally, the sales packaging should include necessary text descriptions that are closely integrated with the decorative images and comply with the labeling regulations of relevant countries. For instance, Japan requires that all medicines sold in the country must indicate their ingredients, usage methods, and functions in addition to the required information; the Canadian government mandates that products sold in the country must be labeled in both English and French.
3. Bar code markings. With the increasing use of electronic scanning and automated retail equipment internationally, the "bar code" has become an indispensable mark on sales packaging. It represents the country of origin, manufacturer, product type, specifications, model, and other details of the product. The use of bar codes not only benefits customers but also improves settlement efficiency, enabling both parties in international trade to promptly access relevant product information and track the sales performance of their products in foreign markets. P38