Regulations on Imported Goods Packaging in Various Countries

I. Prohibited packaging materials

The United States stipulates that, in order to prevent the spread of plant diseases and insect pests, straw is prohibited as a packaging material; if it is discovered by customs, it must be destroyed on the spot, and all costs incurred as a result must be paid.

The Agricultural Quarantine Service of New Zealand's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries stipulates that the following materials are strictly prohibited for the packaging of imported goods: soil, marl, hay, straw, wheat straw, chaff or bran, raw moss, used old gunny sacks and other waste materials.

The Philippine Department of Health and the Customs stipulate that all imported goods are prohibited from being packaged with gunny sacks and gunny sack products as well as straw, straw mats and other such materials.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service stipulates that all goods packaged in wooden crates (including pallet timber) must be provided with a fumigation certificate when imported.

II. Prohibited symbols and patterns

The French regard bright colors as noble and they are very popular; the French regard the horse as a symbol of bravery; the French avoid walnuts, dislike dark green, avoid the spade pattern, and avoid chrysanthemums on trademarks. France regards the peacock as an evil bird and avoids the red-crowned crane and the turtle, which are not suitable for use in trademarks.

Portraits of people are avoided on British trademarks. Britain avoids elephant and goat patterns but favors white cats; like the French, Britain also regards the peacock as an evil bird that is not suitable for use in trademarks, and regards the horse as a symbol of bravery.

The Swiss avoid owls.

The Dutch regard orange as a lively color; orange and blue are the colors representing the nation, and the Dutch also love tulips.

The Danes regard red, white and blue as auspicious colors.

Italians regard purple as a negative color; light, pale colors are favored for clothing, cosmetics and packaging, while bright colors are favored for food and toys.

For goods and packaging produced in Germany, markings resembling Nazi and legion symbols are prohibited.

Arab countries stipulate that the six-pointed star pattern is prohibited on the packaging of imported goods, because the six-pointed star is similar to the pattern on the Israeli flag. Arab countries are highly averse to and wary of things bearing the six-pointed star pattern.

Libya prohibits the use of pig patterns and female body patterns on the packaging of imported goods.

In addition, among Europeans, apart from the Belgians, who regard cats as unlucky, most like black cats.

In addition, the triangle is regarded as a warning sign, so it is avoided as a trademark for export products.

——This article is reprinted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn), original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-362206.html