Review a master-carton arrangement against the approved pack before shipment release. The goal is to show that each retail unit is identified, protected and countable, not merely that the outer carton looks full.
Freeze the reference pack
Record the PO, exact SKU, retail-pack revision, units per carton, master-carton dimensions, carton marks and destination market. Use one approved arrangement as the reference; do not compare a production carton with an obsolete artwork draft.
Check orientation and protection
Photograph the top, sides and opened carton. Note separators, void space, corner protection, retail-unit orientation and whether tins or boxes can rub against one another. Describe what is observed rather than assuming a packing material is present.
Reconcile counts and identity
Count retail units and map each mixed-SKU position. Compare the result with the packing list and carton marks. A neat layout does not resolve a shortage, an extra unit or a wrong SKU.
Record release evidence
Log exceptions with carton number, photo, owner and disposition. Keep unresolved packing or quantity issues on hold until corrected or accepted in writing. Link the decision to the pre-shipment inspection record. Request a carton-layout review.
Working sheet
Carton review: PO/SKU [ ] · pack revision [ ] · carton mark [ ] · units/carton [ ] · protection observed [ ] · mixed-SKU map [ ] · exception/photo [ ] · release owner [ ].
FAQ
Is a full master carton proof that every retail unit is protected?
No. Open and sample the arrangement, then record the observed protection and exceptions.
Can carton dimensions be guessed from the product box?
No. Use the current master-carton record for the shipment.
Next step: Send the approved pack reference and current packing list for a documented review.