Commodity packaging is the continuation of product production. Except for a few products that are difficult to pack, unworthy of packaging, or have no need for packaging and are packed naked or bulk, most of the products need to be properly packaged before they can enter circulation and consumption.

According to the different functions in the circulation process, packaging can be divided into transportation packaging and sales packaging:

Transport packaging is also called outer packaging. Its main role is to protect the goods and prevent cargo damage. Due to the complicated transportation conditions in international trade, in order to ensure the safe arrival of goods, the transportation and packaging of goods must be scientific and reasonable and meet the following conditions:

1) To adapt to the characteristics of the goods, to prevent the loss of goods, deterioration, pollution and other losses occur.

2) to adapt to the requirements of a variety of different modes of transport. For example, sea-borne packaging requires firmness, anti-extrusion, and collision avoidance; railway transportation requires packaging for shockproofing, while air transport requires lightweight packaging.

3) Must comply with relevant national laws and regulations and customer requirements. For example, the U.S. government stipulates that any unprocessed wooden packaging in China shall not be allowed to enter the country; Arab countries require that the packaging of imported goods be prohibited from hexagonal star designs. In addition, if the customer makes certain specific requirements for the packaging, it must also be met as needed and possible.

4) It is necessary to facilitate the operation of relevant personnel at all stages. This requires that the packaging design is reasonable, packaging specifications, weight, volume appropriate, scientific packaging methods, clear packaging labels to meet the requirements of transport packaging standardization.

5) To moderate packaging, save packaging costs on the premise of ensuring the firmness of packaging. The cost of transportation is often directly related to the weight and volume of the transportation package. Packaging costs directly affect the economic efficiency of the company. Therefore, the packaging materials used should be light, strong, and moderate.

In international trade, there are many kinds of transport packaging. According to the packaging method, there are single packaging and collection packaging for transport packaging. The former is to pack the goods in a single package as a piece-work unit during the transportation process, and the latter to combine several single-piece transport packages into one large package. Commonly, there are container bags and container bags. According to different package shapes, transport packaging can be divided into boxes, bags, bags, barrels, bundles and other different shapes of packaging. According to different packaging materials, transport packaging can be divided into paper, metal, wood, plastic, hemp products, bamboo, willow, grass products, glass products and ceramic products. According to the packaging texture, there are flexible packaging, semi-rigid packaging and rigid packaging for transportation packaging. According to the degree of packaging, transport packaging can be divided into full and partial packaging. In international trade, what kind of transport packaging should be used should be based on factors such as the characteristics, shape, trade habits of the goods, the natural conditions of the transport route, the mode of transport, and the expenses of related expenses, and be negotiated in the contract. Otherwise, trade disputes can easily occur.

In order to ensure the smooth progress of loading and unloading, transportation, warehousing, inspection, and handover, and ensure that the goods are delivered to the consignee in a timely, safe, prompt, and accurate manner, it is necessary to write, emboss, and brush various related signs on the transport packaging. For identification and reminders. The labels on the transport packages can be classified into three types: transport signs, indication signs and warning signs. The shipping mark, also known as steamed bread, is usually composed of geometric figures and some letters, numbers and simple words. The main content includes the name or code of the destination, the code of the consignee, its part number and batch number, and some transportation marks also include the original. The origin, contract number, license number, volume and weight, etc., are negotiated between the buyer and the seller based on the characteristics of the product and the specific requirements. At present, the internationally accepted transportation identification includes the initials or abbreviation of the name of the consignee or the buyer; the reference number, such as the waybill number, order number or invoice number; the destination and the part number. The so-called indication mark is a reminder to people in the handling, transportation and storage of the need to pay attention to the matter, are generally marked with a simple eye-catching graphics and text on the package. What kind of indicative mark should be selected on the transport packaging should be selected according to the nature of the goods. Warning signs, also known as dangerous goods labels, must be marked on the transport packaging and used for all kinds of dangerous goods when they are packed with dangerous goods such as explosives, flammable materials, toxic substances, corrosive materials, oxidants, and radioactive materials. The identification of the product indicates a warning so that personnel handling, transporting and storing can take appropriate protective measures according to the characteristics of the goods.

Sales packaging, also known as inner packaging, is a package that directly contacts a product and enters a retail outlet along with the product and the consumer directly meets. In addition to the protective function of this kind of packaging, it is more important to play a promotional role. The beautiful modeling structure, decorative screens and exquisite explanatory texts will greatly enhance the ability of external marketing. In order to adapt the sales packaging to the needs of the international market, the following requirements should be reflected in the design and production of sales packaging:

(1) The product's modeling structure should be suitable for display sales;

(2) Text description should be clear and concise, easy to identify the goods;

(3) The size of the package should be appropriate for easy carrying and use;

(4) The sales package should be as exquisite as possible and artistically attractive to increase the added value.

Sales packaging can use different packaging materials and modeling structure and style, depending on the characteristics and shape of the product. Common sales packages are hanging packages, such as hooks, slings, hanging holes and other devices; stacked packaging, such as cans, boxes; portable packaging, such as a handle device on the packaging; easy to open packaging, such as cans Spray packaging, suitable for fluid goods; supporting packaging, that is, the different specifications of the product packaged in the same package; gift packaging, and more luxurious and expensive decoration; reuse packaging, in addition to the package for sale, can also be used Store other goods or watch for a variety of purposes. In addition to the packaging style, the sales packaging is generally accompanied by a decoration screen, not only beautiful, attractive, artistic characteristics, highlighting the characteristics of the goods, but also to adapt to the national customs and hobbies of the country concerned. Of course, in the sales package should have the necessary text descriptions, such as trademarks, product names, brands, origin, quantity, specifications, composition and use methods. The words used must be concise and easy to understand. When necessary, Chinese and foreign languages ​​can be used together. At the same time, attention should also be paid to the provisions of national label management. Currently in the retail market, the sales package of goods is usually printed with a bar code. The so-called bar code (UPC or EAN) is a set of black-and-white, thick and thin parallel lines that are printed on the packaging of goods, and are marked with numbers below. Barcodes can be identified by photoelectric scanning equipment, which can identify the origin of the product, the manufacturer, and the attributes of the relevant products. The unit price can also be queried for payment settlement, which can more effectively serve customers and improve the efficiency of cargo management. At present, developed countries have already adopted barcodes. Therefore, in order to enter the international market, China's merchandise must not only meet the requirements of relevant international standards for product quality and packaging, but also meet the requirements for automatic scanning and settlement of foreign supermarkets. Otherwise, even branded products can only be Make low-end goods into cheap stores.

In international trade, packaging conditions are often one of the terms of a sales contract. Good packaging is an important part of fulfilling the contract. According to the laws and regulations of some countries, if the goods delivered by the seller are not packaged according to the agreed conditions, or if the packing of the goods does not conform to the custom of the industry, the buyer has the right to reject the goods. In addition, practical and beautiful packaging can increase the added value of goods, to a certain extent reflect the level of technology and culture of exporting countries, to achieve the purpose of publicizing and beautifying goods, attracting customers, and expanding sales. Therefore, no matter from which point of view, the packaging of goods cannot be taken lightly in international trade.