Transit Packaging Symbols (Meaning and Downloads)

A widely used and recognised symbol that indicates the contents are fragile (not they are necessarily made from glass). Is sometimes accompanies by the word “Fragile”.

The umbrella with rain drop s symbol on packaging indicates that the box (and contents) should be kept dry. A variation showing just the umbrella can also be used.

Another common packaging symbol, two hands surrounding a box tells the user / handler that the carton should be handled with care.

A horizontal line with two vertical arrows pointing upwards indicates which way up the packaging should be kept during storage / transit. Can sometimes be used with the explicit text “This Way Up”.

A symbol of a knife with a cross either next too or striking through the symbol details that the packaging should not be opened with a knife (as this may damage the contents within).

Certain electronics or specialist equipment can be sensitive to magnetic forces. If this is the case, use this symbol of a magnet to instruct people not to place the box near magnets.

Whilst this should be fairly obvious (surely it is best to not try and drop anything) this symbol can give people handling your packaging another indication that they should take care when handling.

Two bars with a number above provides information on how high the boxes can be safely stacked. The number can therefore vary depending on the nature of the packaging and it’s contents.

A more detailed version of the above packaging symbol, a tower of boxes with a number in the middle can indicate safe stacking height or sometimes weight. The number in the middle box can indicate stacking height, or provide a weight.

A symbol of packaging boxes stacked next to a cross (or sometimes with the cross over the main illustration) tells the users not to stack the packaging

A weight symbol indicates the weight of the packaging (including contents). This can allow users to decide how best to handle the packaging, as well decide which boxes (if there are different variants) they require. The number within the symbol can be changed as appropriate.

Rather than showing a weight symbol, two people lifting a box can indicate that it is too heavy for a single person to carry.

Similar to the above, this packaging symbol cautions people to be careful when lifting the box / packaging due to its’ heavy content and / or large size.

The symbol of a sack / pallet truck with boxes stacked on it indicates to the user that this form of assistance should be used to move multiple items at a time.

Conversely, this symbol indicates that a sack truck should not be used to transport this packaging and its’ contents (as doing so may damage the items within)

Finally, an image of a forklift alongside a cross or with a strike-through indicates the packaging / contents are not suitable to be moved using a forklift.

The exclamation mark within a triangle is a symbol for general caution. This can be applied to a lot of different scenarios, so is often qualifies with some explanatory text underneath.

This symbol indicates that the packaging is ESD safe – in that it is protecting the contents from electro static discharge. It is commonly found on anti-static packaging such as the Corstat range.

A fork next to a glass is the international symbol of “food safe” material. It effectively means that the material used in the product / packaging is safe for food contact, and will not leach dangerous substances etc

Resembling a kite, the “Kitemark” logo is a trademark of the British Standards Institute, and indicates that the product within the packaging meets specific standards (ascertained by ongoing testing). Please note permission for use is required.

The CE logo is used to declare that the product within the packaging meets the applicable requirements of specific EC directives (this only applies to specific product types). Please note that permission for use is required.

Perhaps the most widely used / recognised of the recycling symbols, the Mobius loop indicates that the packaging / product is recyclable. Can also be displayed with a percentage symbol in the middle of the icon.

FSC® is an acronym of the Forest Stewardship Council, with the logo identifying packaging products that contain wood from well managed forests. Use of this symbol requires permission / accreditation.

The tidy-man symbol – produced by the “keep Britain Tidy” campaign – doesn’t specifically relate to recycling, but acts a s a reminder to dispose of the packaging correctly (i.e. not litter).

The corrugated recycles logo is a free to use symbol developed by the Corrugated Case Association, highlighting that the cardboard packaging can be recycled.