How to label your shipment correctly

Using the right packaging will ensure that your parcels are well protected and insured during shipment, but there’s another important element to consider to ensure they reach their destination correctly: clear labelling can make all the difference.When you’re shipping, whether it’s domestic or international, the right labelling will minimise damage and incidents. But there are a multitude of labels available: from simple handling instructions, such as hazard indicators and warnings, to document envelopes for easy access to invoices and delivery notes. Below, we’ll show you the main types of labels and give you some tips and instructions on what you might need if you’re sending a parcel

► International shipments

whenever you are shipping, you should always clearly indicate the recipient’s name and the sender’s address. Confirming that the address is correct will ensure a fast, timely and safe shipment. Place the address label in a visible place so that it is easily accessible and identifiable by the carrier. If you use the labels provided by the carrier, make sure you follow their instructions. But if you are alsoshipping outside the European Union, then your package will have to go through customs, so it must include a completed customs form. Also be aware that there may be additional import charges to pay depending on the information you include on the form. You can find all the necessary information on export formalities and documents on the Icex website

► where should labels be placed?

si las etiquetas son de instrucciones de uso (arriba, abajo, manipular con precaución…), debes colocarlas en todos los lados posibles para asegurarte de que quien manipule tu paquete lo vea bien. Pega las etiquetas firmemente para evitar que se despeguen durante el tránsito, o utiliza una bolsa adhesiva portadocumentos para incluir aquella documentación que debe acompañar al envío: facturas, albaranes, instrucciones…

Se recomienda fijar las etiquetas de envío en la parte superior de las cajas para garantizar su verticalidad más tiempo durante el tránsito, o en el lateral de los palets. Tu transportista en todo caso te dará las instrucciones pertinentes para garantizar un envío rápido, seguro y sin incidencias.

El exceso de etiquetas también puede generar confusión, así que intenta mostrar la información necesaria pero no se exceda si esto va a dificultar la lectura. Y elimina etiquetas antiguas si no aportan nada y pueden contribuir a generar confusión.

¡Evita colocar las etiquetas enc

► What kind of labels do your parcels need?

a continuación, te detallamos las etiquetas que puedes encontrar para conseguir una expedición perfecta (solo si la combinas con embalaje de alta calidad, claro). Puedes necesitar solo una o varias etiquetas.

Bolsas adhesivas portadocumentos

Vaya donde vaya tu paquete, debes asegurarte de que incluya toda la documentación necesaria. Si utilizas las bolsas portadocumentos conseguirás tener tu documentación segura y protegida durante todo el envío, por ejemplo la dirección de envío o la factura del cliente.

Estas bolsas o sobres portadocumentos se adhieren firmemente a cualquier tipo de caja, cartón o estuche. Son resistentes al agua y al aceite, y no se rasgan ni se deterioran durante el tránsito. En Rajapack disponemos de bolsas portadocumentos transparentes o con mensaje impreso (contiene documentación, packing list, factura…).

Si quieres reducir el impacto medio ambiental, tenemos bolsas adhesivas portadocumentos realizadas con film reciclado al 60%, papel protector certificado FSC, masa adhePacking and shipping labels with handling instructions handling instruction labels include clear instructions so that everyone who touches your package does it in the right way. It is highly recommended to include them when your package needs special instructions. Handling instruction labels can indicate the following messages

• Fragile
• Do not fold
• Handle with care
• Check condition upon delivery
• Keep dry
• Top/bottom
• Do not stack
• Do not depalletise

Hazardous materials labels

if your package includes hazardous materials: flammable, chemical, toxic, corrosive… You should add hazard labels. This helps to ensure that your package is stored and transported safely, and that accidents do not occur due to mishandling. It should be highly visible, each hazard label has a pictogram according to the hazard you want to declare and how it should be handled.

Specialty labels

for items that are sensitive to static electricity, which if dropped, tilted or mishandled can be damaged, there are a range of labels that can provide protection for these delicate shipments. Shockwatch and Tiltwatch labels are both indicator labels. They adhere to wood, cardboard or plastic, are moisture resistant and suitable for export overseas. If your package has been tilted or suffered a high impact during shipment, it will alert your recipient with a red markfinally, for sensitive electronics such as circuit boards, computers or mobile devices, apply an anti-static packaging label on your package (combined with protective anti-static bags) to make it clear that your package is sensitive to static electricity and should be handled as such

Postal labels

If you are sending small parcels, such as shipping envelopes or letters, you simply need a label that details the recipient’s address and the address in case you need to make a return. This label can be made manually or using a label printer. At Rajapack we have special e-commerce shipping labels that allow you to print your invoice or delivery note at the same time as the shipping label. In addition, the formats are compatible with software of the main e-commerce platforms such as Magento, Ebay, Amazon..

Thermal labels

thermal labels are excellent and very convenient: print by burning directly onto thermal paper without the need for ink, and get long-lasting labels. You’ll also need a label printer. But don’t let the size of the printer fool you, these printers can print up to 71 labels per minute, so they’re ideal for businesses that do few or many shipments.They connect directly to a PC or Mac and come with free printing software for quick setup. Label sizes can also vary, so you can print for almost anything; from postal addresses, shipping or mailing labels to price stickers and product labels, including barcodes and graphics. Thermal printers offer excellent speed, convenience and simplicity in a small but powerful and cost-effective labelling solution: the only supplies you’ll need are the labels