Mistakes to avoid · Nº 02
Label sourcing mistakes when importing (and how to avoid them)
The costly mistakes buying labels from an overseas supplier are rarely about price — they are about compliance and timing. Treating labelling as a last-minute factory step gets shipments held at customs; the label must meet your import market’s rules (not the supplier’s); and the material must survive transit so marks don’t peel off in the container. Spec it fully up front, confirm compliance for your market, and test before the run.
- 01
Treating labelling as a last-minute step
WhyLabels designed at shipping time are how shipments get held at customs — last-minute surprises derail the launch.
FixPut full label specifications in the product brief up front, before production.
- 02
Assuming the supplier knows your market’s rules
WhyCompliance is the importer’s responsibility — the factory meets the spec you give it. It cannot know your destination’s rules for you.
FixConfirm your import market’s requirements (FDA / EU food-contact, cosmetic INCI, GHS, country-of-origin) and specify them explicitly.
- 03
Country-of-origin marks that peel in transit
WhyA required mark that falls off during shipping means the importer pays to re-mark the goods — a real, avoidable cost.
FixSpecify a durable facestock and adhesive rated for the transit conditions, so the mark stays legible and attached.
- 04
No compliance documentation on file
Why“FDA approved” is a myth — the manufacturer self-certifies. Without the paperwork you cannot prove compliance to your own buyers or customs.
FixAsk for the compliance document (21 CFR 175.105, EC 1935/2004, REACH/RoHS, an FSC licence code) and keep it on file.
- 05
Ignoring Incoterms and who owns duty
WhyA low ex-factory (FOB) price can sit alongside freight, insurance, duty and a customs broker that another term would have included.
FixAgree the Incoterm, and know that the buyer typically owns the HS code and import duty for their country.
- 06
Not testing the material before the run
WhyA facestock or adhesive that looks right can fail on your actual surface and conditions after production is committed.
FixRequest a free sample and test it on your real container, in your real environment, before the full order.
Common questions
Whose responsibility is label compliance when importing?
The importer’s. The overseas supplier meets the specification you provide — you are responsible for knowing and specifying your import market’s rules (food-contact, cosmetic, hazard, country-of-origin) and for holding the compliance documents.
Why do country-of-origin labels get rejected at customs?
Often because they peel off in transit — the mark must be legible and permanent enough to survive normal handling. Specify a durable material and adhesive rated for the shipping conditions.
Related
Avoid the guesswork
Tell us the surface, the environment and the job, and we’ll spec a material and adhesive that won’t fail — and ship a free sample to prove it.
Materials facts verified by
Kevin— co-founder, materials & manufacturing, Guangzhou. Every claim traces to the factory-floor knowledge base.About Euphora →