GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 23, 2026

Color Coding in Logistics

Color coding in logistics is a system of standardized colors used to visually identify products, storage locations, containers, or process steps.

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Last updated: 23 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://kanbanize.com/lean-management/value-stream-mapping/color-coding

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Color coding in logistics is a system of standardized colors used to visually identify products, storage locations, containers, or process steps. Warehouse staff can sort, pick, or route items at a glance without scanning a barcode or reading a label—an advantage that pays off especially at high-throughput picking stations and returns processing areas. Typical conventions include red for hazardous goods, yellow for quarantined stock, and green for items cleared for dispatch, though specific assignments vary by company or sector. Color coding complements rather than replaces digital identification technologies such as barcodes or RFID; its real value lies in speed and immediate visual clarity on the warehouse floor.

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Color Coding in Logistics

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Related Terms

Hazard Class Labels

Logistics Labeling Standards for Dangerous Goods

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code)

Airline code

Attribute Code Logistics

International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)

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