A few weeks ago, a new customer from Martinique told me that he wanted to send us several plastic bag samples.

He wanted us to check the material and production process of the original bags and then arrange custom sample-making based on them.

For a plastic bag manufacturer, receiving a physical sample is often very helpful. We can examine the material, bag structure, surface finish, zipper, thickness, and other production details more accurately than we can from photos alone.

When a new customer says that samples are on the way, it is naturally good news.

I immediately sent him our complete shipping address and contact information.

However, almost three weeks passed, and the samples still had not arrived.

What Happened to the Plastic Bag Samples?

The customer used La Poste to send the package.

When he first sent me the tracking number, I could still find a small amount of tracking information.

As time passed, the information stopped updating. Eventually, the tracking system appeared to show that the package no longer existed.

I told the customer what I had found, but he could not find any useful tracking information either.

At that point, I believed that the samples had probably been lost during international transportation.

This was not the first time we had experienced this problem.

Previously, some customers in the United States sent plastic bag samples to us through USPS, but we never received those packages either.

This experience made me more certain that when a new customer plans to send packaging samples to China, I should explain the shipping details more carefully.

A few extra reminders at the beginning can prevent the customer from losing the samples and delaying the entire custom packaging project.

1. Use DHL, UPS, or FedEx Whenever Possible

When sending plastic bag samples to a Chinese packaging manufacturer, we recommend using one of the three major international express couriers:

• DHL
• UPS
• FedEx

In our experience, these couriers usually provide more complete international tracking and more predictable delivery.

Most sample packages sent to us through these companies arrive within approximately one week, although the exact delivery time still depends on the origin country, service selected, and customs clearance.

These express services may cost more than a local postal service.

However, when the samples are important for material confirmation and sample-making, choosing the cheapest shipping method does not always save money.

If the package is lost, the customer may need to:

• Find another set of samples
• Prepare a new shipment
• Pay the shipping cost again
• Wait several more weeks
• Delay sample-making
• Delay the final production schedule

For an important custom plastic bag project, reliable tracking is usually more valuable than a slightly lower shipping cost.

2. Describe and Declare the Samples Clearly

The package should have a clear and accurate description.

A suitable description could be:

Plastic packaging samples for evaluation – not for resale

This allows the courier and customs authorities to understand what is inside the package and why it is being sent.

If the bags are free samples, the shipping documents can explain that they have no commercial resale purpose.

However, it is better to declare a small and reasonable sample value rather than automatically writing zero.

It is also not advisable to describe business samples as a personal gift simply to avoid possible taxes or duties.

A more appropriate approach is to:

• Describe the contents accurately
• State that they are plastic packaging samples
• Explain that they are for evaluation
• State that they are not for resale
• Declare a reasonable nominal value
• Include complete sender and receiver information

Whether any tax or duty applies is ultimately determined by customs.

Accurate information cannot guarantee that no charge will occur, but it can reduce the risk of delays caused by unclear or incorrect documentation.

3. Consider Sending Photos Before Shipping the Original Sample

In some cases, the customer may not need to send the original plastic bag immediately.

Clear photos and detailed information may already allow the packaging manufacturer to understand most of the requirements.

Useful photos include:

• Full front view
• Full back view
• Top of the bag
• Bottom gusset
• Side gusset, if applicable
• Zipper or closure
• Surface finish
• Transparent window
• Tear notch
• Other special production details

The customer can also provide:

• Finished bag dimensions
• Gusset dimensions
• Product filling weight
• Product type
• Artwork
• Preferred material
• Required thickness
• Barrier requirements
• Printing and finishing requirements

Based on this information, the supplier may be able to recommend a similar material or prepare a custom sample directly in China.

Preparing the Sample in China May Be More Efficient

Sending samples from China to customers in other countries is often relatively convenient.

For this reason, it may be easier for the customer to send us photos and specifications first.

We can then:

• Review the existing pouch structure
• Recommend a similar material
• Prepare a custom sample
• Send available pouch samples for comparison
• Ship several material options together

This can save the customer the trouble of preparing an international shipment and reduce the risk of the original sample being lost.

It may also be faster than waiting several weeks for an untracked or poorly tracked postal package.

When Is the Original Sample Still Necessary?

Photos cannot show every detail.

Sending the original physical sample may still be useful when the bag has:

• A special material structure
• A unique surface texture
• A particular stiffness
• An unusual zipper
• A custom shape
• A special opening method
• A production detail that is difficult to explain

In these situations, the original pouch can help the manufacturer understand the customer’s requirements more accurately.

However, if the sample is difficult to replace, do not send the only one available.

Keep one sample for your own records and send a duplicate whenever possible.

What Should You Confirm Before Shipping?

Before sending plastic bag samples to China, confirm the following information with the supplier:

Complete delivery address

Make sure you have the correct:

• Company name
• Contact person
• Full address
• Postal code
• Telephone number

Recommended courier

Ask the supplier which courier works best for their location.

For our company, we recommend DHL, UPS, or FedEx.

Package description

Use a clear description such as:

Plastic packaging samples for evaluation – not for resale

Declared value

Use a small, reasonable sample value rather than writing zero or providing inaccurate information.

Tracking number

Send the tracking number to the supplier immediately after shipping so both sides can monitor the package.

Alternative sample-making option

Ask whether photos, dimensions, and specifications are enough for the supplier to prepare a similar sample in China.

A Small Shipping Decision Can Delay the Entire Project

The samples sent by our customer from Martinique did not arrive after almost three weeks.

At first, the tracking number showed limited information.

Later, even that information disappeared.

The customer could not locate the package, and neither could we.

The package contained only several empty plastic bags, but those samples were supposed to be the starting point for material evaluation and custom sample-making.

Without them, the project could not continue according to the original plan.

This experience reminded me that sending reference samples should not be treated as an unimportant step.

The courier, customs description, declared value, and tracking service can all affect whether the package successfully reaches the manufacturer.

Need us to reproduce an existing plastic bag?

Send us clear photos, bag dimensions, product information, and artwork first. We can evaluate whether the original sample needs to be shipped or whether a suitable sample can be prepared directly in China.

Website: www.custompackagingprint.com
 Email: [email protected]
 WhatsApp: +86 173 3600 3921