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Writing shipping marks: the key to not losing cartons in a consolidated shipment
What shipping marks do, the standard format, how to unify marks across several suppliers, and the sorting errors and delays caused by missing marks.
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Shipping marks are identification marks on the outer carton, usually including consignee code, destination port, carton number (carton X of Y) and description or order number. Consolidated cargo is sorted by its marks; without marks, or with inconsistent ones, cartons are most likely to be mixed up or lost after arrival.
Information updated: 2026-10-03
Standard format
| Content | Example |
|---|---|
| Consignee code or short name | ABC-LAGOS |
| Destination port or city | LAGOS, NIGERIA |
| Order number or description | PO-2026-018 / KITCHENWARE |
| Carton numbers | C/NO. 1-120 |
| Country of origin (required by some countries) | MADE IN CHINA |
Points to note
- Apply or print marks on at least two adjacent sides of each carton.
- Clear, waterproof writing; avoid labels that peel off easily.
- All suppliers use the same format, with carton number ranges assigned per supplier.
- Mark content matches the packing list.