Imitation jewellery that leaves the factory perfect can arrive tarnished, tangled or broken if it is packed badly. Export journeys are long, cargo holds are cold and humid, and cartons are thrown around. Good packing protects the finish, makes counting easy for the buyer and keeps customs happy. This guide covers each layer, from the individual piece to the outer carton.
Layer 1: the individual piece
- Sealed poly bag per piece or per pair. Zip-lock or heat-sealed bags keep air and moisture off the plating. Earrings are bagged as pairs, sets as a set.
- Anti-tarnish protection. Anti-tarnish strips, paper or pouches absorb the sulphur compounds in air that darken plating. They are cheap and they matter most on antique and oxidised finishes.
- Protect the stones and drops. Pearl drops, ghungroos and long jhumkas tangle. A card insert or a foam backing keeps them straight.
- Label with the design code. A small sticker with the design code on each bag makes counting and re-ordering easy.
Layer 2: the inner pack
- Group pieces of the same design in a larger poly bag or inner box, typically 12, 24 or 50 per pack.
- Add a silica gel sachet to every inner pack for sea freight and humid destinations.
- Label the inner pack: design code, colour, quantity.
Layer 3: the export carton
- Use new, strong, double or triple-wall corrugated cartons. Used cartons from food or other goods can be refused at some borders.
- Fill empty space so contents cannot move. For Australia and New Zealand avoid straw, wood shavings or plant material.
- Seal with strong tape. Security tape shows if a carton has been opened.
- Weigh and measure each carton and record it on the packing list.
Carton marking
Every carton should show:
- consignee name and destination city and country
- carton number in the form "3 of 12"
- gross and net weight
- "Made in India"
- the buyer's order number, if they ask
Keep the words "jewellery" and high values off the outside of the carton. It reduces theft in transit. The documents inside and the invoice carry the description.
Origin marking on the product
Most importing countries require the goods to be marked with their country of origin. For small jewellery, marking every piece is often impractical, so the origin usually goes on the smallest retail packaging: the card, pouch or box. Check the rule with your buyer: the US and several other countries are specific about marking the immediate container.
Retail-ready packing
Some buyers want goods ready for the shop shelf:
- branded cards, boxes or pouches with their logo
- barcodes or price stickers
- care instructions and material statements
- language requirements, such as English and French in Canada
This takes design time and packaging stock, so agree it at the order stage. It usually adds a small cost per piece and some lead time.
Packing by shipping mode
| Courier | Air cargo | Sea freight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit risk | Frequent handling | Handling at hubs | Long voyage, humidity, heat |
| Priority | Crush protection, tight packing | Stacking strength | Moisture control |
| Silica gel | Optional for short routes | Recommended | Essential, in every inner pack |
| Carton | Smaller, double wall | Double or triple wall | Triple wall, sealed liner |
Courier charges by volumetric weight, so a carton half full of air costs the same as a full one. Choose carton sizes that fit the goods closely.
What good packing costs
Poly bags, anti-tarnish strips, silica gel, inner boxes and export cartons usually add only a small amount per piece, much less than the cost of one returned or discounted carton of tarnished jewellery. Retail cards and branded boxes cost more and take time to print, so they are best ordered with the first bulk order and reused for repeats.
Packing checklist before sealing
- Count every inner pack against the packing list.
- Photograph the open carton, then the sealed carton with its label.
- Put one copy of the invoice and packing list inside carton 1.
- Attach the document pouch outside.
- Record the final weight of every carton.
How Jagruti packs export orders
We pack by design code: each piece or pair in a sealed poly bag, grouped in labelled inner packs, with anti-tarnish protection. For long or humid journeys we add silica gel and pack in new export cartons marked with carton numbers and weights. Retail cards or branded packs can be arranged when agreed at order time. See our export supply page and our guide to anti-tarnish jewellery.
Related: export documents checklist and courier vs air vs sea.