Shipping mark generator: free carton labels with numbers, as PDF

Enter the buyer mark, destination port, order number, origin and carton count, and get shipping mark labels as a PDF, each carton numbered like C/NO. 1/20. Print them one, two or four to an A4 sheet, or on 100 × 150 mm labels. Free with no sign-up, and what you type never leaves your browser.

What is a shipping mark?

A shipping mark is the marking on the outside of an export carton. It carries the buyer mark, destination port, carton number, origin and similar details, so the forwarder, the warehouse and the buyer can pick out this carton among other cargo.

The U.S. Commercial Service’s A Basic Guide to Exporting says markings on export cartons help meet shipping regulations, ensure proper handling, conceal the identity of the contents and help receivers identify shipments. It also says the overseas buyer usually specifies which marks should appear.

What goes on a shipping mark?

These are the markings the same guide lists for export cartons. They can differ by deal and by country.

• Shipper’s mark

• Country of origin (for example, MADE IN KOREA)

• Weight (in pounds and kilograms)

• Number of packages and size of cases (in inches and centimeters)

• Handling marks (international pictorial symbols)

• Cautionary markings such as This Side Up or Use No Hooks, in English and in the language of the destination country

• Port of entry

• Labels for hazardous materials (symbols adopted by IATA and IMO)

• Ingredients, if applicable, also in the language of the destination country

This tool does not make hazardous materials labels or pictograms. It prints weight in kilograms and size in centimeters.

Main marks and side marks: how are they split?

The split varies a little between buyers and companies. This tool splits them like this.

• Main mark (front): buyer mark, destination port, order number, carton number (C/NO.), origin. Printed large so it can be read from a distance

• Side mark (side): gross weight (G.W.), net weight (N.W.), size (MEAS.) and details such as an item number your buyer asks for

You can print both on one label or print the side mark as a separate label. Separate side labels mean two labels per carton, and the side label carries the same carton number.

Some buyer marks are drawn inside a shape such as a diamond, so you can choose a diamond frame. If your buyer has set a shape, use that one.

Where do shipping marks go on the carton?

If your buyer or forwarder has said which faces to use, follow that. If not, check these before you stick the labels on.

• The face can still be seen when cartons are stacked

• Tape, straps or corner protectors don’t cover it

• It stays readable if it gets wet or rubbed (a paper label can be covered with clear tape)

• If you printed separate side marks, they go on a different face from the main mark

Common shipping mark mistakes

• The total in the carton number doesn’t match the real number of cartons. If you add or remove cartons, make the labels again

• The marks on the packing list don’t match the cartons. Put the same text in the shipping marks field of the commercial invoice and packing list generator

• Contents or brand names are written on the carton. The U.S. Commercial Service’s guide advises not writing contents or brand names on packages, to avoid pilferage

• The weight unit is left out. This tool prints KG after each weight

• The marks are written only in your own language. Write them in English so the receiver can read them

• The printer’s fit to page setting changes the label size. Print at actual size (100%)

Cartons are numbered in a row across your carton lines. If the first line has 10 cartons and the second has 5, the first line runs from C/NO. 1/15 to 10/15 and the second from 11/15 to 15/15. Weight and size come from each carton line, with weight printed to two decimals, like G.W.: 12.50 KG. Text size follows the label size, and a line too long for the label is made smaller on its own. The PDF is made in this browser, and nothing you type is sent to a server or kept in the address.

• What is a shipping mark? It is the marking on the outside of an export carton. The receiver uses it to pick out their cartons among other cargo and to match them with the packing list.
• Is there a set shipping mark format? This tool gives a layout with the fields people commonly use. The U.S. Commercial Service’s export guide says the overseas buyer usually specifies which marks go on the cargo. If your buyer gives you a format or wording, follow it. If not, make the labels here and have the buyer confirm them.
• What does C/NO. 1/20 mean? Carton 1 of 20. Each carton gets its own number, so a missing or swapped carton shows up at once. Use the same carton numbers (C/No.) as your packing list.
• Do I have to mark the country of origin? It depends on the importing country’s rules and on your buyer. This tool fills in MADE IN KOREA to start with, and you can change it. Check the wording and placement with the importing country’s customs, a customs broker or your buyer.
• Can I use Korean or other non-Latin text? No. The PDF uses a Latin font, so other scripts would print as broken characters. If a field has them, the tool tells you which field and stops. The export guide says to write cautionary marks in English and in the language of the destination country. If you need the destination language, add it on a separate label.
• Can I add pictograms such as “fragile”? This tool prints English text only, such as FRAGILE or THIS SIDE UP. Handling pictograms are set by ISO 780, and since we could not check the standard itself, we don’t draw them. If you need pictograms, use stickers printed to the standard.
• What paper do I print on? Choose one, two or four labels to an A4 sheet, or 100 × 150 mm for a label printer. Cut A4 sheets along the dotted lines. Print at actual size (100%) in your printer settings. Fit to page changes the label size.
• Where does what I type go? It is only used inside this browser. The browser makes the PDF itself. Nothing is sent to a server, stored or kept in the address, so a refresh brings back the starting example.
• Other free tools: Commercial invoice and packing list generator
• Other free tools: Container load and CBM calculator
• Other free tools: Export cost and chargeable weight calculator

TradeGraph · Free tools · Playbooks · Compare · Docs · llms.txt · 한국어