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Packaging regulations information by country
Specifics of Packaging Regulations in Different Countries
Oct 30th,2025
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EU Basic Packaging Requirements:
The EU has a series of strict requirements for packaging for foreign trade. First, the total content of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium in all packaging materials, auxiliary materials, and containers must not exceed 100 ppm (0.1 mg/g). Furthermore, the use of packaging materials containing hazardous substances such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, methylbenzene, and methanol is restricted, and the use of toxic pigments such as azo pigments is prohibited unless otherwise specified. Food and medical product packaging containers and labels must comply with relevant EU directives and pass testing, certification, and registration procedures.
Children's toy packaging must bear the certified CE mark, and the packaging and labeling must also comply with relevant directives.
When packaging products ranging from 5 grams or 5 milliliters to 10 kilograms or 10 liters, the weight or volume of the contents must be consistent with the quantity indicated on the packaging, with some tolerance allowed. Oxidatively bleached pulp is preferred for paper packaging containers, with chlorine bleached pulp being restricted. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) should be avoided as much as possible in plastic packaging containers for food, medical products, cosmetics, and children's toys. Degradable plastics should be labeled with degradation conditions and time, and proof of their ultimate decomposition into carbon dioxide, biomass, and water.
Glass packaging containers should control the release of soluble alkaline oxides and arsenic according to their intended use. The inner wall or coating of metal packaging containers should not chemically react with the contents during the shelf life. Wooden packaging containers should be free of bark and insect holes larger than 3 mm in diameter and should be treated in accordance with the provisions of General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Order No. 69.
Contact Information Label: For products sold in the EU market, product packaging must be affixed with a label indicating the contact information of the responsible person, including the postal and electronic addresses. This label may be affixed to the product itself, the packaging, the package, or accompanying documents. The label must also display the postal and electronic addresses of the manufacturer and importer (if applicable). If these addresses are different from the above, a single point of contact must also be provided. This may be affixed to the product, the packaging, or accompanying documents.
Product packaging must also be affixed with a label identifying the product type, batch, or serial number. If the product's size or characteristics do not permit labeling, this information may be provided on the packaging or in accompanying documents. When selling products online, in addition to labeling on the packaging, the product listing must also display the name of the responsible person and manufacturer, contact details, product images, and any other information necessary to identify the product. Labeling and marking information, warnings, and safety information must comply with applicable EU product safety and compliance laws and be in the language of the country of sale.
United States:
Basic Packaging Requirements: The United States also has clear regulations for packaging for foreign trade. For US FBA ocean shipping, products must be packaged in standard six-sided cartons. Damaged or contaminated shipping boxes are not permitted. Biocompatible packaging should be avoided. The boxes must be strong enough to withstand any external stress during transportation. The filling inside the boxes should not be loose materials, but materials acceptable to Amazon. If re-used cartons are used, ensure the flaps are intact. The use of large staples or nylon tape to secure or seal the boxes is prohibited.
Dimensions and Other Requirements: The Chinese site requires that any side of the carton must not exceed 63.5cm (unless the individual units exceed this limit). If the carton size exceeds this standard, the packaging must be placed on a 1m x 1.25m pallet to facilitate handling by warehouse staff.
For fruits and vegetables, environmentally friendly materials such as polyethylene film or paper are preferred. Machinery must be protected from rain, moisture, and dust and can be sealed. To prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases, US regulations prohibit the use of straw as packaging material. If discovered by customs, it must be destroyed on the spot, and all resulting costs must be paid.
US Amazon FBA regulations stipulate that the weight of a single outer box cannot exceed 22.7 kg (50 lbs). If a single outer box exceeds 22.7 kg (50 lbs), it must be labeled "Team Lift" on all sides and the top. If it exceeds 45.4 kg (100 lbs), it must be labeled "Mechanic" on all sides and the top. Boxes for valuable items such as jewelry and watches cannot exceed 40 lbs.
The outer box dimensions are limited to no more than 63.5 cm (25 inches) on any side. For products where the minimum outer box size is not specified, the UPS maximum box size can be used. (UPS official website: length + girth not exceeding 419 cm (165 inches), length less than 270 cm (108 inches)). Pallets are limited to 1.2x1x1.8M and no more than 1500 lbs.
Germany：
Basic Packaging Requirements: Germany has numerous packaging requirements for export. Basic packaging requirements require that the product name and model, quality and quantity information, manufacturer information, safety labels and warnings, and instructions for use must be clearly marked on the packaging. Regarding environmental protection and sustainability, the country actively supports environmental initiatives and requires that packaging materials be biodegradable or recyclable. While ensuring product safety, the use of minimal packaging materials is encouraged, and recyclable packaging materials must be labeled with the recycling symbol.
Specific Regulatory Requirements: Products requiring CE certification must bear the CE mark. Certain products, such as electronics, may require ROHS certification to ensure the absence of hazardous substances. All packaging for goods sold in Germany must comply with the German Packaging Act. Sellers must register their packaging materials and submit a declaration of integrity. New regulations, effective July 1, 2022, require sellers to submit a report on their packaging material usage for the previous year. New regulations on single-use plastics require all single-use plastic products to be registered and have their registration number submitted by January 1, 2025. Germany's Packaging Act stipulates both general and specific requirements for packaging. General requirements require that packaging volume and mass be kept to an appropriate minimum to ensure the necessary safety and hygiene of the packaged goods and consumer acceptability; packaging must be reusable or recyclable; and packaging should have minimal environmental impact. Specific requirements include prohibiting the placement of packaging or packaging components containing cumulative concentrations exceeding 100 mg/kg of lead, mercury, or hexavalent chromium on the German market. Companies are required to provide a certain percentage of packaging materials for reuse or recycling annually, such as requiring at least 90% of plastics to be recycled.
Canada：
Basic Packaging Requirements: The Canada FBA guidelines mention item restrictions. Amazon offers 10 million products, but some categories are restricted and require prior approval before shipping. Examples include alcohol, electronics, pharmaceuticals, animals and animal-related items, currency, food and frozen foods, weapons, plant-based products, organic products, and gemstones. Alcoholic beverages, batteries, and other dangerous goods are prohibited items for sale on the FBA platform. Regarding package weight and dimensions, items must not exceed 70 pounds. The length and girth must not exceed 108 inches.
Shipping Standards: Canada FBA requires pre-shipment preparation. Before shipping, sellers must categorize items by length greater than or less than 1.5 meters and weight greater than or less than 30 kg. Additionally, sales personnel must affix SKU labels to each product, place a packing slip on each box, and affix Amazon address labels to each box. Export weight and cargo packaging size requirements for Canada: The maximum weight of a single box is 10KGS. If it is less than 10KGS, it will be charged as 10KGS; UPS non-standard packaging is subject to an additional RMB 150/piece fee; for oversize, if the single side length exceeds 120CM and is less than 240cm; or the secondary length exceeds 75CM, an additional RMB 150/piece will be charged; if the length plus girth ((2xwidth) + (2xheight)) exceeds 260cm and is less than 330cm, an additional RMB 150/piece will be charged for overlength; for overweight fee, if the single piece (actual weight) exceeds 22KG, an additional RMB 150/piece will be charged. Single box cargo exceeding 65KGS is not accepted. UPS Oversized Packages: Packages that meet the following criteria are considered oversized: If the combined length and girth ((2 x width) + (2 x height)) exceeds 330 cm but is less than 418 cm, a large package surcharge of RMB 800 per package will be added, and the minimum billable weight will be 40 kg. If the longest side exceeds 240 cm but is less than 270 cm, a large package surcharge of RMB 800 per package will be added, and the minimum billable weight will be 40 kg.
UPS cannot transport oversized packages: Packages weighing more than 65 kg, or exceeding 270 cm in length, or exceeding 418 cm in length and girth (2 x width + 2 x height). After measurement to determine the billable weight, these packages cannot be accepted and an additional fee of USD 1,500 will be added per package.
Australia and New Zealand：
Fumigation Certificates: For the export of wooden crates, the Australian Quarantine Agency requires a fumigation certificate for all goods packaged in wooden crates, both imported and exported. The Sarawak Port Authority stipulates that all seaborne building materials shipped to its ports must be assembled onto wooden pallets before being loaded into containers to accommodate forklift loading and unloading, and each package must not exceed 2 tons. New Zealand's Agricultural Quarantine Service prohibits the use of hay, straw, wheat straw, husks or bran, moss, soil, mud, used sacks, or other materials in the packaging of imported goods.
The Philippine Department of Health and Customs prohibit the use of sacks, sack products, straw, or other materials in the packaging of imported goods. For export packaging wooden boxes to Australia and New Zealand, if they have been quarantined before leaving China, they must provide a "Fumigation Certificate" issued by the Chinese authorities before they can enter the country. If the "Fumigation Certificate" issued by the Chinese authorities cannot be obtained before leaving China, the wooden packaging of the goods can also be removed for disposal under the supervision of the quarantine department of the port of entry in the importing country, or disposed of together with the goods.
