GB/T 191-2025Graphical symbols marking for handling and storage of packages (English PDF)

Foreword

This Document was drafted as per the rules specified in GB/T 1.1-2020 Directives for Standardization - Part

1.Rules for the Structure and Drafting of Standardizing Documents. This Document replaced GB/T 191-2008 Packaging - Pictorial Marking for Handling of Goods. Compared with GB/T 191-2008, the major technical changes of this Document are as follows besides the structural adjustments and editorial modifications.

--- Change the scope (see Clause 1 of this Edition; Clause 1 of the 2008 Edition);

--- Add common categories of markings (see Clause 4 of this Edition);

--- Change the names of the markings "Fragile, Handle with Care," "Avoid Sunlight," "Protect from Radiation," "Avoid Rain," and "Temperature Limit" (see Clause 4 of this Edition; Clause 2, numbers 1, 4, 5, 6, and 17 of the 2008 Edition);

--- Change the graphic symbols and markings for "Hand Hooks Prohibited," "No Tumbling," "No Trolleys Allowed on This Side," "Forklifts Prohibited," "No Clamping Here," "Stacking Mass Limit," "Stacking Layer Limit," and "No Stacking" (see Clause 4 of this Edition; Clause 2, numbers 2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the 2008 Edition).

--- Add the usage requirements for the marking orientations of "Fragile, Handle with Care," "Avoid Rain," "Avoid Sunlight," "Protect from Radiation," "Upward." "Stacking Mass Limit," "Stacking Layer Limit," and "No Stacking" (see Clause 4 of this Edition).

--- Change the meaning of the marking of "Stacking Layer Limit" (see Clause 4 of this Edition; Clause 2, number 14 of the 2008 Edition).

--- Change the table head content (see Clause 4 of this Edition; Clause 2 of the 2008 Edition).

--- Add the requirements for hand-painted markings (see Clause 6 of this Edition). This Document modified and adopted ISO 780.2015 Packaging - Distribution Packaging - Graphical Symbols for Handling and Storage of Packages. This document has undergone significant structural adjustments compared with ISO 780.2015. A table comparing the structural numbering changes between the two documents is provided in Appendix A. This Document contains significant technical differences compared with ISO 780.2015, which are indicated by a single vertical line () in the outer margin of the relevant clauses. A table of these technical differences and their causes is provided in Appendix B. The following editorial modifications have been made to this Document. Graphical Symbols Marking for Handling and Storage of Packages

1 Scope

GB/T 191-2025 defines the names, the graphical symbols, the sizes and the colours of the handling and storage markings printed on packaging, and describes how they are applied. It applies to the design and use of those markings on packages in handling, storage and transport, and it does not cover the specific instructions for dangerous goods. This is the 2025 edition, issued on 29 August 2025 and in force from 1 March 2026, and it replaces GB/T 191-2008 - the edition most people still have on file. It is a modified adoption of ISO 780:2015, restructured substantially against the ISO text, with the numbering differences listed in Annex A and the technical differences, marked by a vertical line in the margin, explained in Annex B. The 2025 revision renames five markings, redraws the symbols for eight more, adds the marking orientation requirements for another eight, changes the meaning of the stacking layer limit, and adds requirements for hand-painted markings. For anyone printing export cartons this is the document that decides what goes on the box, and the redrawn symbols mean that artwork prepared against the 2008 edition is no longer correct.

This Document defines the names, symbols, sizes, and colors of graphical symbols marking (hereinafter referred to as "marking") for packaging, handling, storage, and transportation and describes their application. This Document applies to the design and use of graphical symbols marking for packaging, storage, and transportation. This Document does not include specific instructions for the storage and transportation of dangerous goods.

2 Normative References

For the purposes of this Document, there are no normative references apply.

3 Terms and Definitions

For the purposes of this Document, there are no terms and definitions apply.

4 Marking Names, Graphical Symbols and Meanings

The logo consists of 17 types of symbols, including a graphic symbol, a name, and an outline.

a) Commonly used marking names, graphical symbols, and their meanings for large packaging are shown in Table 1.

b) Commonly used marking names, graphical symbols, and their meanings for small and medium-sized packaging are as follows: 1) Commonly used marking names, graphical symbols, and their meanings for general handling are shown in Table 2; 2) Commonly used marking names, graphical symbols, and their meanings for manual handling are shown in Table 3; 3) Commonly used marking names, graphical symbols, and their meanings for mechanical handling are shown in Table 4.

c) Commonly used marking names, graphical symbols, and their meanings for packaging, transportation, and storage are shown in Table 5.

d) Commonly used marking names, graphical symbols, and their meanings for packaging and storage are shown in Table 6. NOTE. The superscripts surrounding the graphical symbols do not constitute the symbol's content and are only used as a reference for their reproduction and application.

5 Marking Size and Color

5.1 Marking size The marking frame is rectangular, while the graphical symbol frame is square. Generally, there are 4 sizes, as shown in Table

7.If the package size is too large or too small, it can be enlarged or reduced proportionally.

5.2 Marking color The marking color is generally black. If the packaging color makes the marking unclear, an appropriate contrasting color shall be used on the printed surface. The background color of the black marking should preferably be white. If necessary, other colors may be used for the marking. Red, orange, or yellow should be avoided to prevent confusion with the dangerous goods marking.