Labeling

Labeling refers to the act of affixing labels to foreign trade goods or packaging. Label content typically includes brand, ingredients, country of origin, instructions for use, barcode, safety warnings, etc. It is widely used: when exporting to markets such as Europe and America, importing countries often mandate specific labels (e.g., CE mark, FDA nutrition label, country of origin label), making labeling a prerequisite for customs clearance and shelf placement. Precautions: 1) Label content must comply with target country regulations, otherwise goods may be detained or fines imposed; 2) Labeling costs and responsible party (seller or buyer) must be clearly specified in the contract, commonly as an additional service under FOB or CIF terms; 3) Labeling may affect delivery time and requires advance planning. Difference from other terms: Labeling differs from 'Packaging', which focuses on protection and transport, while labeling focuses on information transmission and compliance; it also differs from 'Shipping Marks', which are used to identify goods, whereas labeling targets end consumers or regulatory authorities. Foreign trade practitioners should confirm label samples, language, size, and affixing position to avoid returns caused by labeling issues.