Why is it important to number your boxes, bags and suitcases accurately?

Why is assigning and labelling boxes, bags and suitcases before shipping overseas important?

From logistical efficiency to customs compliance, accurately numbering all your boxes, bags and suitcases prior to shipping overseas is crucial to ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of your belongings. In this quick guide, we'll discuss the importance of completing an Inventory Packing List and how numbering helps with customs checks and preventing delays.

Once each box is full, give the container a number and list its contents in your online Inventory Packing List.

Tips for completing your Inventory Packing List

As part of the international shipping process, you must accurately complete an Inventory Packing List — a detailed account of each item inside your shipment. You can access the Inventory via your online account, or if you would prefer a paper copy, we'll email it to you for printing. Once each box is full, give the container a number and list its contents in your online Inventory Packing List.

Please note that the number you physically write on the box MUST match the number you assign it within our online inventory portal.

For example, if you physically fill a box labelled "Box 1" with a kettle, you must add an item labelled kettle to "Box 1" within our online inventory portal.

Once a full box is sealed with strong parcel tape, take a dark marker pen and physically write the shipment owner's destination country and city, job number, box number, and total number of boxes in the Job Summary section on each container.

How does box numbering protect my possessions?

Numbering your boxes not only helps organise your shipment, but it also ensures a smooth and stress-free shipping experience. By assigning unique identifiers to each box, we can track and monitor the movement of your goods at all stages of their international journey, preventing delays.

It also helps deter theft, tampering or unauthorised access. If one or more of your boxes are lost or stolen, we can quickly identify and recover the impacted items or containers. Consider adding one of our comprehensive insurance packages to ease some stress in the rare chance your shipment suffers a mishap.

Does numbering my boxes help with the customs and quarantine process?

Numbering your boxes also helps ensure compliance with customs regulations. As part of our Boxes and Bags Worldwide shipping service, we guide your shipment through customs for you.

However, depending on your destination country and what is in your shipment, customs officials may wish to conduct an inspection. Each nation has unique customs regulations and a list of items banned from importation. Please reference our Prohibited Goods page before packing.

By numbering each box and accurately filling out your Inventory, customs officials can quickly and easily identify which box to access without opening your entire shipment. This seamless accessibility reduces delays and prevents congestion at borders.

Plus, numbering boxes helps the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to quickly access shoes, bicycles, etc. to check for potential soil contaminants.