> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.macleather.co.uk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Generic / Other Customers

> Standard requirements when no customer-specific guide exists

# Generic / Other Customers

Use these standard requirements when shipping to customers without a specific guide. These are conservative defaults that should be acceptable to most buyers.

<Warning>
  Always ask the customer for their compliance guide first. Use these defaults only when no specific requirements are provided.
</Warning>

***

## When to Use This Guide

| Situation                             | Action                  |
| ------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| New customer, no guide provided       | Use these defaults      |
| Customer says "standard packing"      | Use these defaults      |
| Small order, no specific instructions | Use these defaults      |
| Customer has specific guide           | Use their guide instead |

***

## Safe Defaults Summary

| Requirement           | Safe Default               |
| --------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Carton Label Size     | A4 (210mm × 297mm)         |
| Barcode Type          | Code 128                   |
| Max Carton Weight     | 15 kg                      |
| Max Carton Dimensions | 60 × 40 × 40 cm            |
| Size Sorting          | Single size per carton     |
| Poly Bagging          | Yes, individual            |
| Sealing               | H-seal, clear tape         |
| Documents             | Invoice, Packing List, COO |

***

## Carton Label

### Recommended Layout

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                                 │
│  FROM: MAC LEATHER CO                           │
│        [Your full address]                      │
│                                                 │
│  ─────────────────────────────────────────────  │
│                                                 │
│  TO: [Customer name]                            │
│      [Customer address]                         │
│                                                 │
│  ─────────────────────────────────────────────  │
│                                                 │
│  PO: [Customer PO number]                       │
│  Style: [Style reference]                       │
│  Description: [Product name]                    │
│  Colour: [Colour name]                          │
│  Size: [Size]                                   │
│  Quantity: [Units in carton]                    │
│                                                 │
│  ─────────────────────────────────────────────  │
│                                                 │
│       ║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║║        │
│       [Barcode number]                          │
│                                                 │
│  ─────────────────────────────────────────────  │
│                                                 │
│  Carton: [X] of [Y]                             │
│  Gross Weight: [XX.X] kg                        │
│  Dimensions: [L] × [W] × [H] cm                 │
│  Country of Origin: PAKISTAN                    │
│                                                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

### Label Specifications (Safe Defaults)

| Specification  | Default                            |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| Size           | A4 (210mm × 297mm)                 |
| Orientation    | Portrait                           |
| Paper          | White, 80gsm minimum               |
| Barcode Type   | Code 128                           |
| Barcode Height | Minimum 20mm                       |
| Quiet Zone     | Minimum 10mm each side             |
| Print          | Laser printer, black ink           |
| Placement      | One label per carton, largest face |

<Info>
  A4 is universally accepted. If customer prefers smaller, A5 (148mm × 210mm) is also widely acceptable.
</Info>

***

## Product Label

### Safe Default Specifications

| Specification | Default                     |
| ------------- | --------------------------- |
| Size          | 50mm × 80mm                 |
| Material      | 250gsm card minimum         |
| Barcode       | EAN-13 or customer-provided |
| Attachment    | Clear loop or cotton string |

### Required Elements

| Element             | Include                   |
| ------------------- | ------------------------- |
| Product Description | Yes                       |
| Size                | Yes, clearly visible      |
| Colour              | Yes                       |
| Barcode             | Yes, with human-readable  |
| Composition         | Yes                       |
| Care Instructions   | Yes                       |
| Country of Origin   | Yes                       |
| Price               | Only if customer requires |

***

## Packing Requirements

### Carton Specifications (Safe Defaults)

| Specification   | Default                |
| --------------- | ---------------------- |
| Maximum Weight  | 15 kg gross            |
| Maximum Length  | 60 cm                  |
| Maximum Width   | 40 cm                  |
| Maximum Height  | 40 cm                  |
| Carton Material | Double-wall corrugated |
| Carton Color    | Plain brown kraft      |

<Tip>
  15 kg is the safest maximum. Most warehouses can handle this weight. Heavier cartons risk rejection.
</Tip>

### Packing Rules (Safe Defaults)

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Size Sorting">
    **Default Rule:** Single size per carton.

    This is the safest approach as most customers require it.

    | Approach               | Risk Level                  |
    | ---------------------- | --------------------------- |
    | Single size per carton | Low risk                    |
    | Mixed sizes            | High risk - may be rejected |

    **Exception:** Only mix sizes if customer explicitly permits it in writing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Poly Bagging">
    **Default Rule:** Individual poly bagging required.

    | Specification | Default                     |
    | ------------- | --------------------------- |
    | Bag Material  | Clear polypropylene         |
    | Bag Thickness | 25 micron minimum           |
    | Closure       | Self-adhesive or fold-seal  |
    | Warning       | Include suffocation warning |

    **Why:** Almost all customers require individual bagging. It protects garments and is expected by DCs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sealing Method">
    **Default Rule:** H-seal with clear tape.

    ```
    ┌───────────────┐
    │ ═══════════   │ ← Top seal
    │       │       │
    │       │       │ ← Edge seals
    │       │       │
    │ ═══════════   │ ← Bottom seal
    └───────────────┘
    ```

    | Specification | Default             |
    | ------------- | ------------------- |
    | Tape Width    | 50mm                |
    | Tape Color    | Clear               |
    | Pattern       | H-seal (all edges)  |
    | Quality       | No gaps, neat edges |

    **Why:** H-seal is the most secure and widely accepted.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Void Fill">
    **Default Rule:** Use paper void fill.

    | Material        | Acceptable          |
    | --------------- | ------------------- |
    | Kraft paper     | Yes (preferred)     |
    | Tissue paper    | Yes                 |
    | Bubble wrap     | Check with customer |
    | Packing peanuts | Avoid               |
    | Air pillows     | Check with customer |

    **Why:** Paper is universally acceptable and environmentally friendly.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Required Documents

### Standard Document Set

| Document              | Copies                | Required |
| --------------------- | --------------------- | -------- |
| Commercial Invoice    | 3                     | Yes      |
| Packing List          | 2                     | Yes      |
| Certificate of Origin | 1 original + 2 copies | Yes      |
| Bill of Lading/AWB    | Original + 2 copies   | Yes      |

### Commercial Invoice (Safe Format)

| Field                | Include                          |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| Your company details | Full name, address, contact      |
| Customer details     | Name, address                    |
| Invoice number       | Your reference                   |
| Invoice date         | Current date                     |
| PO reference         | Customer's PO number             |
| Description          | Each style/colour                |
| Quantity             | Units per line                   |
| Unit price           | Per piece                        |
| Total value          | Line totals + grand total        |
| Currency             | As per PO (usually USD or GBP)   |
| Incoterms            | As per PO (FOB if not specified) |
| HS codes             | 6-digit minimum                  |
| Country of origin    | Pakistan                         |

### Packing List (Safe Format)

| Field              | Include                                   |
| ------------------ | ----------------------------------------- |
| Shipment reference | Your reference                            |
| Customer PO        | Customer's PO number                      |
| Carton numbers     | 1 of X, 2 of X, etc.                      |
| Carton contents    | Style, colour, size, qty per carton       |
| Carton weights     | Gross and net                             |
| Carton dimensions  | L × W × H                                 |
| Totals             | Total cartons, total pieces, total weight |

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Customer rejected shipment">
    **Cause:** Non-compliance with unknown requirements.

    **Solution:**

    1. Ask customer for specific reason
    2. Request their compliance guide
    3. Document for future shipments
    4. Update internal records
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="No PO reference available">
    **Cause:** Order placed informally.

    **Solution:**

    1. Request formal PO from customer
    2. If not available, use your internal reference
    3. Clearly state "No PO provided" on documents
    4. Get customer confirmation in writing
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Customer wants specific barcode format">
    **Cause:** Their system requires specific format.

    **Solution:**

    1. Ask for exact specifications
    2. Request sample label for reference
    3. Test scan before bulk printing
    4. Document for future orders
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Unsure about weight limit">
    **Cause:** Customer hasn't specified.

    **Solution:**

    1. Use 15 kg as safe maximum
    2. Ask customer for their limit
    3. Err on the side of lighter
    4. Record answer for future reference
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Mixed sizes required by customer">
    **Cause:** Customer requested ratio packs.

    **Solution:**

    1. Get ratio in writing (e.g., 1-2-2-1)
    2. Follow exact ratio specified
    3. Label cartons clearly
    4. Document in packing list
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Getting Customer Requirements

### Questions to Ask

When onboarding a new customer, ask for:

| Information              | Why Needed             |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------- |
| Compliance/routing guide | Full specifications    |
| Label template           | Exact format required  |
| Barcode type             | EAN-13, Code 128, etc. |
| Max carton weight        | DC handling limits     |
| Size sorting rule        | Single or mixed        |
| Required documents       | What they need         |
| DC address               | Delivery location      |
| Contact for queries      | Who to ask             |

### Sample Request Email

```
Subject: Shipping Compliance Requirements

Dear [Customer],

We are preparing your order [PO number] for shipment.

To ensure compliance with your DC requirements,
please provide:

1. Carton label specifications (size, format)
2. Barcode type required
3. Maximum carton weight
4. Packing requirements
5. Required shipping documents

If you have a supplier compliance guide,
please share it with us.

Thank you,
[Your name]
```

***

## Quick Reference Checklist

Before shipping without specific customer guide:

* [ ] Confirmed no customer guide exists
* [ ] Using safe defaults from this page
* [ ] Carton labels: A4 size, Code 128
* [ ] Single size per carton
* [ ] Individual poly bagging
* [ ] Carton weight ≤ 15 kg
* [ ] H-seal with clear tape
* [ ] Commercial Invoice × 3
* [ ] Packing List × 2
* [ ] Certificate of Origin
* [ ] All barcodes test-scanned

***

## Related Guides

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Customer Overview" icon="users" href="/customers/overview">
    Compare all customer requirements
  </Card>

  <Card title="Export Documents" icon="file-pdf" href="/exports/documents">
    Document generation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Carton Planning" icon="box" href="/exports/carton-planning">
    Planning cartons in the system
  </Card>
</CardGroup>