Imagine Apple selling iPhones in ziploc bags instead of the glossy cartons we are used to. It wouldn’t be the same thing. Well designed and high quality packaging adds plenty of value to your product. In this article we will explain what you need to think about when buying product packaging from a Chinese supplier – including design options, materials, warning labels and marking requirements.
“Do I need to find a packaging supplier on my own?”
No. While few Chinese suppliers are manufacturing product packaging in-house, most have established relationships with sub-contractors specialised in packaging and printing. Therefore, you don’t need to bother with locating a product packaging supplier by yourself. However, In case the suppliers sub-contractor is not able to provide a satisfying product packaging, you may still source one on your own.
That said, it comes with certain complications. The packaging must still be delivered to the final assembly supplier. Unless you have a reliable partner in China, I don’t suggest you attempt to manage such a transaction.
Product packaging design
When buying product packaging from China, you basically have two options. You either use an existing product packaging, or you design one on your own:
Option #1: Custom designed product packaging
This approach is somewhat complicated. First of all, you must design the packaging according to the product shape and dimensions. Never rely on your supplier to make final adjustments to your packaging design. Chinese suppliers are accustomed to a “make to order” approach, and simply forward clients product packaging designs to their sub-contractors. Unless you have previous experience designing product packaging, you may want to get help from a professional. If you decide to do it yourself, keep track of the following specifications:
- Material (e.g. PVC plastic)
- Lock type
- Surface lamination (e.g. glossy)
- Thickness
- Outer dimensions
- Inner dimensions
- Printing (e.g. Silk screen printing and Offset printing)
- Pantone colors
Customized product packaging also requires additional tooling. Tooling costs are always paid by the buyer, but varies depending on the type of tooling. That said, product packaging tooling costs are usually quite low, and rarely adds up to more than a few hundred dollars.
Option #2: Using a factory designed product packaging
Using an existing product packaging design comes with two benefits. First of all, the packaging design is already tested and based on your products design and dimensions. That’s quite a bit of time and money saved right there. Secondly, the tooling is already paid for by the supplier, or its sub-contractor, and can be used free of charge.
Even if you do decide to use a factory design, you can still add your own touch by customising the layout. The layout must of course be based on the packaging design and dimensions, but most suppliers can provide you with a digital template.
Labelling requirements
Product packaging design is not all about posh artwork. Importers in worldwide need to ensure that the product packaging is labelled according applicable labeling regulations. In many cases, labeling requirements are part of a safety standards, such as CE (Europe) and CPSIA (United States).
Failing to comply with the applicable labeling requirements may result in a forced recall, or even a lawsuit. Keep reading and I’ll explain why.
Warning labels
Certain legal acts and directives requires the importer to attach a warning label to the product packaging, in case a product contains a regulated substance. In the case of California Proposition 65, which regulates hundreds of substances in consumer products sold in California, such a warning label shall include one or more of the following sentences:
WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.
WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.
WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Such labels are certainly not going to make your product fly off the shelves faster. The only way to avoid warning labels is by verifying, through laboratory testing, that the regulated substances are within the legal limits. While California Proposition 65 is only relevant to business based in, or selling to consumers based in, California – similar warning labeling requirements are also outlined in the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA).
In the European Union, warning labels are not as common as in the United States. A logic explanation is that the EU decided to outright ban or strictly regulate substances under the REACH directive. Essentially, you need to ensure compliance or you are not allowed to sell the item at all – with or without a warning label. In South Africa, the law pays specific attention to the wording of labels and how products are advertised. The objective is to create an equal platform for all products by stating, for instance, having only facts and not confusing the consumer by word of implication.
Marking requirements
Certain directives, including the CE directive in the European Union and FCC in the United States, require the product packaging to contain graphical symbols.
Country of origin
Consumers have the legal right to know where a product has been made, before they make a purchase. If the country of origin (e.g. Made in China) printed on the product unit, is not visible through the product packaging, the country of origin must also be printed on product packaging.
Minimum Order Quantity
The Minimum Order Quantity, or MOQ, for customised product packaging (layout and/or design) is usually no less than 1000 pcs. The packaging MOQ is not controlled by the manufacturer, but the print and product packaging sub-contractor. This may cause certain complications when the product quantity is lower than the packaging quantity. While it’s hard, mostly not possible, to make the sub-contractor to cut the MOQ requirement – most suppliers still agree to store excessive product packaging for future orders.
Thereby, you can order a product packaging volume that exceeds the actual number of items made for your first order, without wasting money on excessive inventory. That said, make sure your supplier keeps your product packaging in a dry and clean storage area. Make that a clause in the sales contract.
Product packaging regulations
While labeling requirements concerns the item inside the packaging, there are also directives and legal acts specifically regulating packaging design, mechanical properties and substances. In the United States, the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) regulates packaging for household items that may be harmful to children.
Most packaging regulations require the importer to ensure compliance with one or more ASTM (United States) or EN ISO (European Union) standards. Contact us today, if you want to know more about how we can help you ensure compliance when importing from China.
This article was originally published here. We re-published with permission from our content partner, ChinaImportal, an e-commerce platform that assists businesses looking to import products from China.
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