Label Requirements
Every package shipped through Kentex Cargo must have a properly formatted shipping label, addressed exactly as shown on your US Warehouses page. The label is how we identify your package, match it to your account, and route it to the correct receiver in Kenya.
Required Information on Every Label
- Name: The name shown on your US Warehouses address. Kenya customers use their own name; US customers use their Kenya receiver's name
- Warehouse Code: Two initials and four digits (e.g., JD1234), placed with the name
- Warehouse Address: The Texas or Delaware warehouse address, with the suite ending in -AIR for air freight or -SEA for ocean (full options in our addressing guide)
- Phone Number: The phone number shown with your US Warehouses address
Complete Label Example
Not sure what your warehouse code is? Visit our warehouse codes guide to learn how to find it in your dashboard.
Air Shipping Labels
For air freight, use the warehouse address with the -AIR suite. Air shipping departs every Wednesday with a Monday cut-off, so a clear, correct label helps your package make the next flight.
Label Format
Printing Your Label
- Prepaid labels come as a PDF file
- Print on a label printer or plain paper
- Must be clearly printed, not handwritten
- Make sure the barcode prints sharp and unsmudged
A Prepaid Air Label Shows
- The carrier's barcode and tracking number
- Your receiver's name and warehouse code
- Our US warehouse address
- The box's size and maximum weight
Prepaid Air Box Labels
If you purchased a prepaid air box, your label is created automatically once you pay. We send it to the email address and phone number on your order, and you can print it from your order page. Attach it to your box, then drop the box off with the carrier on your label (UPS, FedEx or USPS) or wait for the carrier to collect it if you chose home pickup.
Monday Cut-Off: All air freight packages must arrive at the warehouse by Monday to make that week's Wednesday departure. Packages arriving after Monday go on the following week's flight.
Ocean Shipping Labels
For ocean freight, address packages to the warehouse address with the -SEA suite. Visit our ocean shipping page for ocean freight options and prices.
Ocean Prepaid Boxes and Labels
If you order ocean prepaid boxes, our US warehouse team sets them up and labels each one for your receiver. The current options are:
27 and 40 gallon totes for clothing, small electronics, beauty products and tools
55 and 72 gallon barrels
Shorty and Grand wardrobe boxes for clothes, shoes and accessories
Extra Large Box and Triple Wall box for clothes, shoes and personal effects
Ocean shipping takes 75-90 days, leaves in the last week of every month, and is priced by volume (cubic feet) rather than weight. It suits heavy or bulky items that are not time-sensitive: see our ocean standard boxes guide for box sizes.
Where to Place Labels
Proper label placement is critical for ensuring your package is processed quickly and correctly at our warehouse.
Place on Top of the Box
The label should be placed on the top surface of the package where it is most visible. This is the first surface our warehouse staff will see when processing incoming packages.
Ensure Full Visibility
Do not fold the label around edges or corners. The entire label, including the warehouse code and barcode, must be fully visible and scannable without moving or lifting any part of the package.
Protect from Weather
Cover the label with clear packing tape to protect it from rain, moisture, and handling during transit. A damaged or smudged label can cause processing delays.
Remove Old Labels
If you are reusing a box, remove or completely cover all old shipping labels, barcodes, and markings. Conflicting labels can cause the package to be misrouted.
Pro Tips for Shipping Labels
Follow these best practices to avoid delays and ensure your packages are processed as quickly as possible.
Use Clear Tape Over the Label
Always cover your shipping label with clear packing tape. This protects the label from water damage, smudging, and general wear during transit. Make sure the tape covers the entire label, including edges.
Include a Copy Inside the Box
Place a second copy of your shipping label (or a note with your name and warehouse code) inside the box. If the external label gets damaged or falls off, the internal copy ensures your package can still be identified.
Double-Check Your Warehouse Code
Before sealing the box, verify that the warehouse code on your label exactly matches the code in your dashboard. Even a small typo (e.g., JD1234 vs JD1243) can result in your package being assigned to the wrong account.
Print, Don't Handwrite
Always print your labels using a printer. Handwritten labels are harder to read and more prone to scanning errors. If you must handwrite, use large block letters and a dark permanent marker.
Create a Pre-Alert
Once you have the carrier tracking number, log in to your Kentex Cargo account and create a pre-alert with it, so we can match the package to you as soon as it is scanned in. Prepaid air labels are pre-alerted for you automatically.
Ready to Ship?
Get your prepaid shipping label and start sending packages to Kenya today.