Label

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Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.gs1.org/standards/gs1-128

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Definition & Explanation

Freight forwarders, shippers, and warehouse operators use labels to uniquely identify and track shipments as they move through the supply chain. A logistics label typically carries a tracking or shipment number with barcode or QR code, the consignee's address, handling instructions such as 'Fragile' or 'Do Not Stack', and the shipper's reference codes. At sortation hubs and distribution centres, the label is scanned to route goods automatically and trigger status updates in the transport management system. Standards such as GS1-128 govern the layout and encoding of logistics labels, enabling every actor along the chain to read the same data reliably. Not to be confused with dangerous goods marks required under ADR or IMDG, nor with product labelling obligations under consumer or product liability law—both follow entirely separate regulatory frameworks.

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Package labeling

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