Color Box (Gift Box / Printed Carton) is a foreign trade packaging term referring to a printed, surface-treated (such as lamination, hot stamping, UV) paper packaging box, usually used as outer or sales packaging for consumer goods like gifts, electronics, cosmetics, and toys. Usage scenarios include: customer-specified packaging requirements, packaging costs listed in quotations, and inspection of printing quality and materials during quality checks. Notes: Must specify material (e.g., white card paper, corrugated paper), grammage, dimensions, number of printing colors (CMYK or spot colors), surface finishing, and whether it includes an insert; differs from 'Master Carton' in that the color box is a sales unit while the master carton is a transport unit; differs from 'neutral packaging' in that the color box usually has brand markings. In foreign trade, it is often required to provide the die-cut drawing, artwork, and sample approval for the color box to avoid returns due to color differences or structural issues.
📝 Examples
1. Please provide the die-cut drawing and artwork for the color box; we need to confirm the colors and dimensions before arranging production. (Note: Requesting the customer to provide color box design files for pre-production confirmation.)
2. Each product is packed into one color box, then 20 color boxes are packed into one master carton, and the master carton must be printed with shipping marks. (Note: Clarifying the hierarchy where the color box serves as sales packaging and the master carton as transport packaging.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
Foreign trade terms are the foundation of international business communication
Trade practices may vary slightly by country; pay attention when using them
When using terms in contracts, specify the applicable version (e.g., Incoterms 2020)
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