Top 7 Export Packaging Mistakes That Cost You Money
Export packaging is not merely wrapping up your products but your profits, brand reputation and trust of your customers are at stake.
Even a little slip of a packaging will result in damaged goods, the rejection of customs by other countries, or enraged importers.
VSK Global Trade identifies the top 7 errors that most Indian exporters commit when it comes to packaging goods to be exported and how you can prevent them before your next shipment in this 2025 guide.
❌ Unpleasantly with Non-Export-Grade Materials.
A lot of new exporters take cheap boxes or plastic that is designed to deliver locally, but not internationally.
The damage to the goods and complaints by the buyers may occur when there is a damage of materials of low quality during long shipments by sea or air and also in the course of absorbing water.
✅ Fix:
Export-grade cartons (or corrugated boxes (5-ply or 7-ply depending on weight of goods)) should be used.
Select waterproof materials when shipping the goods to the sea.
Ensure packaging is of air/sea freight standards.
Pro Tip:
In the case of agro or food products, APEDA-approved packaging material should be selected to satisfy the international safety standards.
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❌ Inappropriate Labeling and Barcoding.
Wrong labeling is one of the most common causes of delays and detention of customs and cargo.
The lack of such information as HS code, consignee data or handling signs may lead to misunderstanding, penalty or rejections.
✅ Fix:
Always include:
Product name & quantity
HS Code and Country of Origin
Consignee details
The manipulation of symbols: Fragile, This Side Up, Keep Dry, and so on.
Barcodes for traceability
Pro Tip:
FIEO or Spices Board can be used as the export council that can help to check the right labeling format of your product type.
❌ No Inner Protection of Sensitive Goods.
It is not sufficient to keep delicate objects in a robust box.
There may be movement or collisions of products during loading, shipping, or offloading of products, particularly at sea routes.
✅ Fix:
Insert bubble wrap, foam inserts, cardboard inserts or air cushions in boxes.
Install shock absorbing fillings on ceramics, glass, electronics, and cosmetic products.
In the case of liquids, make sure that there are double seals or containers that are leakproof.
Example:
When you are shipping essential oils, place foam partition trays and inner shrink-wrap, so as to avoid spills or cracks.
❌ Disregard of Climate Conditions.
Each consignment of export goods encounters a different temperature and humidity conditions, the hot India to cold Europe.
Otherwise, your goods may end up spoiled or degraded before being delivered without the protection of the climate.
✅ Fix:
In the case of perishables or herbal goods to use: vacuum sealing, foil pouches or desiccants (silica gel).
In the case of electronics: anti-static and moisture-barrier bags are to be used.
In the case of frozen or perishable products: use thermal liners or gel packs that are insulated.
Pro Tip:
Sea exports should be packed in container liners or vapor barriers to avoid damage of condensation.
❌ Over-Packing / Under-Packing.
The prices of export are based on volumetric weight and not the weight of the products.
An overpack means you pay more on freight whereas underpacks expose your products to breakages.
✅ Fix:
Take cartons that are no bigger than those that will accommodate your product with small air spaces.
Use normal weight volumetric (L×W×H /5000 of air), (/6000 of sea).
Protecting the balance vs. cost-efficiency.
Example:
Saving international transport, which features a reduction of excess filler by merely 5 percent can save thousands of dollars annually.
❌ Failure To Adhere to Rules of the Destination Country.
Each country has its regulations regarding packaging, particularly food, chemicals or electronic items.
The failure to comply can lead to customs retention or black listing of your company.
✅ Fix:
Label laws before dispatch Research destination-country: labeling & packaging laws.
In case of Europe, make electronic products CE or RoHS compliant.
In the case of the USA, FDA approved materials are used in food and cosmetics.
In the case of environment-conscious markets, adopt biodegradable packaging to satisfy the standards of sustainability.
Pro Tip:
Your freight forwarder or CHA may oftentimes advise you on standards of destination packing.
❌ Omission of Palletization and Strapping.
Export deliveries in loose boxes are very dangerous. Carts can fall or move in the course of loading without pallets and strapping.
✅ Fix:
Depending on the type of shipment, use wooden or plastic pallets.
Tightly wrap and strap nylon or steel bands round shrink-wrapping boxes.
Adhere to normal patterns of loading containers (ex: 48x 40-inch pallets in sea containers).
Make sure that pallets made of wood are fumigated (in accordance with ISPM-15).
Pro Tip:
Corner protectors should be used to avoid damaging straps of boxes in the case of heavy loads.
Bonus Tip: Have Your Packaging Tested!
Not every exporter knows that there are certified packaging testing laboratories that can be used to test durability and conformity.
Where to Get Testing:
APEDA -Agro packaging food and agro standards.
FIEO or EPCH -To test the strength of export material.
Private labs- Provides drop, vibration and compression testing of sea/air consignments.
One test can save thousands of already rejected cargo in the future.
Conclusion
Your export business will or will not be made by the way you package it.
The slightest error can result in spoilt deliveries, profit loss or termination of buyer agreements.
In order to secure your brand and achieve maximum success:
✅ Make sure that you are using export grade packaging.
✅ Clean up labels, HS codes and climate protection.
✅ abide by rules of destination and palletization.
When your pack is above and beyond the international standards, your customers have confidence in your brand - and the confidence becomes business in the long term.
Export Packaging or Compliance Assistance?
We at VSK Global Trade help the Indian exporters with:
Conformities to product packaging (APEDA, CE, RoHS).
Verified buyer connections
End to end exportation documentation.
Need Help Improving Your Export Packaging?
Published by VSK Global Trade – Smart Export Strategies for Indian Businesses.
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