A shipment to the US may be handled ten times or more between the factory and the final customer — trucks, terminals, cranes, warehouses, delivery vans. Good packing prevents damage; correct labelling prevents customs problems. Both are cheap compared with a rejected or damaged shipment.
Part 1 — Packing
Choose export-grade cartons
- Use double-wall (5-ply) cartons for heavy goods or anything stacked.
- Fill empty space with dunnage so items cannot move.
- Keep carton sizes consistent to stack well and fill containers efficiently.
Palletise where possible
Pallets reduce handling and damage, especially for LCL and air freight. Standard US pallets measure 48 × 40 inches (about 122 × 102 cm). Stack cartons squarely without overhang, then strap and shrink-wrap.
Wood packaging must meet ISPM 15
Wooden pallets, crates and dunnage entering the US must be heat-treated or fumigated and carry the official ISPM 15 stamp. Untreated wood can lead to the whole shipment being refused or re-exported at your cost. Plastic or processed-wood pallets are exempt.
Protect against moisture
Sea containers can "sweat" when crossing climate zones. Use desiccants, moisture barrier bags and avoid packing goods that are still damp — especially wood, textiles and agricultural products.
Part 2 — Labelling
| Label | Where | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping marks | At least two sides of each carton | Consignee, destination, PO number, carton number (e.g. 1/120), gross weight |
| Country of origin | On the product and its retail packaging | "Made in Vietnam" in English, legible and permanent |
| Handling marks | Carton sides | Fragile, This way up, Keep dry, stacking limits |
| Dangerous goods labels | As required by IATA/IMDG | UN number, class labels (e.g. lithium batteries) |
| Amazon FBA labels | Each unit and carton | FNSKU unit labels and FBA box ID labels |
Country-of-origin marking: don't skip it
US law requires most imported products to show their country of origin to the final purchaser. Missing or incorrect marking can result in goods being held until they are re-marked, plus potential duties. Make sure the origin you mark matches the origin on your invoice — see origin and transshipment rules.
Checklist before the truck arrives
- Carton count and weights match the packing list
- Shipping marks on two sides of every carton
- "Made in Vietnam" on products and retail packs
- ISPM 15 stamp visible on all wooden packaging
- DG labels and documents for batteries or chemicals
- Photos of the packed goods for your records