A Guide on Packaging Symbols and Signs for Safe Shipping

Have you wondered what those strange symbols on your package mean? Look, every symbol serves a purpose and provides instructions on handling, storage, and shipping.

These symbols help senders or receivers understand what content is inside the package. Whether you’re receiving fragile electronics or shipping across the globe, understanding box symbolism can:

• Save you time
• Reduce damage
• Help the environment

When you are shipping internationally, you must know international packaging symbols before shipping your boxes. Unfamiliar with these package handling icons? No need to worry.

Learn the meaning behind global packaging symbols for safe handling and shipping. This guide covers everything about essential symbols, from fragile symbols to recycling signs with clear images.

What are Packaging Symbols?

The symbol of the box represents the type of package and the content inside it, regardless of language. The International Organization sets these symbols for Standardization (ISO), which keeps the data of all these symbols and defines their meaning.

Understanding these symbols, which are registered with ISO, helps you learn about the product placed within the packaging. They are easy to understand.

• According to FedEx, proper labeling reduces damaged shipments by 40%.
• Over 90% of global shipments use standardized packaging symbols. (Source: ISO)

Decoding The 4 Categories Of Packaging Symbols

The most commonly used packaging symbols you see on shipping boxes and cartons fall into four categories.

1. Package Protection
2. Handling Instructions
3. Health and Safety
4. Recycling Symbols

1st Category: Symbols Used For Package Protection

The first category of packaging symbols vector defines package protection to avoid susceptible damage during transit.

Fragile

The symbol of a wine glass indicates that the item or product inside the package is delicate and prone to breakage from unexpected shocks or sudden jerks.

The shipping label symbol "Fragile" on the boxes helps you understand the fragile packaging sign meaning, such as cracked electronics or glassware items.

The 'fragile' symbol is commonly used on electronic packaging, especially smartphones or televisions, to ensure they are handled with care during shipping.

Handle With Care

This sign indicates that products will not crack but will get damaged if not properly handled. So, you are advised to handle the package with care and place it gently.

Do Not Open With A Knife

This symbol provides safety instructions and warns you not to use a knife to open the package. Otherwise, it may damage the contents inside.

Packing Symbols For Safe Storage

Some types of packages are very sensitive and become weaker due to environmental impacts, such as water or UV light. It is essential to give environmental protection symbols for instructions and safe storage.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Using this symbol means sunlight can easily pass through to degrade the product quality when exposed to UV.

Keep Dry

This symbol with an umbrella and raindrop sign on the box is used to advise you to avoid direct contact with water. It suggests you keep products dry during transit.

2nd Category: Symbols To Notify Handling Packages

Proper handling instruction makes the transportation of the package efficient. Giving instructions is good for customers and delivery persons to handle the box carefully. Here are the packaging symbols commonly used in the handling and shipping of products.

Package Stacking

Do Not Stack

This symbol defines that the packages should not be placed on top of each other to avoid any damage to the content.

Stacking Height

This symbol indicates the maximum number of boxes that can be safely stacked on top of each other without causing damage.

Package Lifting

Many businesses give moving instructions for users to describe the lifting procedure during loading and unloading.

Requires Two People to Lift

This symbol indicates that the package is heavier than one person can lift and is not recommended to be lifted by yourself.

Lift Using a Trolley

This symbol signifies heavy products that are hard to carry by hand and indicates you use a trolley to carry the package.

3rd Category: Symbols To Indicate Health and Safety

Unstable and burning materials should be mentioned on the surface of the box to ensure safety. If you are shipping products compliant with safety and health standards. Make sure the shipping box shows the product safety symbols on it.

Product Safety

Using safety symbols means the product and packaging have cleared the quality control inspection, and they are good to go.

Food Safe

The food boxes symbols and meanings show that the packaging material is safe for food.

Medical Devices

Health and medical packaging symbols convey crucial information quickly and clearly. These symbols are standardized by ISO to ensure the understanding of the signs globally.

Potential Hazards

Some types of packaging contain unstable material or are susceptible to fire. You must be sure to give proper indications or safety symbols to make product handling and avoid potential damage.

Caution

This is a hazard warning symbol that indicates caution. Chemicals and batteries are examples for better understanding.

Flammable

This package sign is very common to notify that a package is at high risk of flammability. Example: Products made of paper.

Fourth Category: Recycling Symbols

It is not mandatory to give recycling information, but it is appreciated when you contribute to saving the environment by giving recycling symbols on the package.

Packaging Properties

Some of the common symbols used on the box are good for educating about packaging materials.

Recycle Symbol

The recycling signs on the packaging signify that the box or the packaging material is recyclable.

Tidy Man Symbol

Using this symbol means reminding you to dispose of the package after use.

Most Common Packaging Symbols with ISO Standards

Here are some essential symbols following ISO standards.

Conclusion

The symbols in the packaging industry can help you understand what type of product or content is inside the box. By understanding international packaging symbols on your shipping cartons and boxes, you not only ensure the safety and quality of the product but also contribute to better sustainability practices. Ultimately, it enables how to handle, store, and ship the package.

Stay informed and make better decisions for your business, whether you're shipping locally or internationally.

Feel free to contact Custom Product Packaging by drafting us a short email at orders@customproductpackaging.com. Even if you need stylish and durable packaging for your products.

FAQs

1. What are the packaging symbols?
They are actually icons to convey essential information about the handling, storage, and safety of the content inside the package.

2. What does an umbrella on a box mean?
It indicates keeping the content dry inside the box.

3. What does a wine glass on a box mean?
It represents fragility by indicating fragile items and hints to handle them with care.

4. What is the heart symbol in packaging?
It conveys a sense of love and care.

5. Why do we use symbols on packaging?
To quickly convey information about a product, its handling, or environmental impact.

6. What is the 5 symbol in packaging?
The "5" symbol in packaging indicates that the material is polypropylene (PP).

7. What is the fragile symbol for packaging?
A broken glass or a wine glass.

8. What does the R stand for on packaging?
It stands for “Recyclable”.

9. What symbols are used in packaging?
Fragile, Handle with Care, Keep Dry, and Protect from Heat are the common symbols used in packaging.