Amazon Prep-Free Packaging
From mishandling in transit to inadequate protection against environmental conditions, packaging failures can lead to damaged goods, dissatisfied customers, and increased costs for replacements. Amazon Prep-Free Packaging (PFP) eliminates the need for additional prep at Amazon fulfillment centers. By meeting Amazon’s rigorous ISTA 6 Series certification standards, PFP-certified packages are ready to ship securely and efficiently without extra packaging, saving time, reducing waste, and ensuring a seamless delivery experience.
What Is Amazon Prep-Free Packaging?
Helping You Ship Securely & Save in the Process
Prep-Free Packaging (PFP) is Amazon’s third tier of certification, designed for products that cannot ship in their own container due to size or packaging. As a result, they require the use of an Amazon Over Box. However, to be certified as “Prep-Free Packaging,” Amazon cannot provide any additional prep to the packaging. This means the product’s packaging must be strong enough to withstand any distribution dangers without additional padding or protective packaging other than the Amazon Over Box.
What benefit does PFP certification provide versus standard Amazon shipping? If you meet PFP requirements, Amazon will reduce or remove chargebacks.
As a certified member of Amazon’s Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network (APASS), we can help you validate your e-commerce packaging and meet Amazon’s Prep-Free Packaging requirements.
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Prep-Free Packaging with the ISTA 6 Series
Amazon partnered with ISTA to create the ISTA 6-Amazon.com-Over Boxing standard to help vendors test see how their products and packaging hold up against drops, temperature fluctuations, and other shipping & handling hazards. During this test, your product’s primary packaging is evaluated. Your products must be in one secured package and have a visible barcode to scan without removing the packaging. The Prep-free Packaging test procedure includes:
- Atmospheric preconditioning
- Optional atmospheric conditioning
- Shock testing, including drops
- Random vibration testing
- Leak testing for liquids
Both the product and packaging are evaluated after testing is completed. In order to pass Amazon’s requirements, the product must be fully functional. If your product is a liquid, all seal integrity must be intact.
Will your packaging meet Amazon PFP requirements?
Amazon Package Testing Tiers
Amazon created a multi-tier ISTA 6 Series certification package program to address several issues related to shipping quality and transit conditions that affect packages across industries. These conditions include the diverse types of and the severity of package damage across the supply chain, all the way to the customer’s door. Packages sold on Amazon.com are first evaluated and assessed against the tiers of Amazon’s Package Testing standards to achieve certification for Amazon’s Vendor Central interface.
- Tier 1 - Frustration Free Packaging (FFP) is capable of shipping in its own container with minimized, fully recyclable and easy-to-open packaging. This ensures the most optimal experience for our customers.
- Tier 2 - Ships in Own Container (SIOC) minimizes waste through ensuring that packaging is designed to ship without the need for an Amazon over-box.
- Tier 3 - Prep-Free Packaging (PFP) is designed to ship effectively without the need for Amazon to apply additional prep to prevent damage of leakage.
Tier 1: Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP)
Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP) is designed to simplify the unboxing process while prioritizing sustainability and efficiency. It uses the product’s original packaging as the shipping container, eliminating excess materials like plastic wraps and additional boxes. FFP packaging is 100% curbside recyclable, easy to open within minutes, and tamper-resistant, ensuring products arrive safely and securely. Learn More About Amazon FFP >
Tier 2: Ships in Own Container (SIOC)
Ships in Own Container (SIOC) minimizes waste by guaranteeing that product packaging is built to ship without requiring an Amazon Over Box and still arrive undamaged to its end-destination. This eliminates unnecessary waste and provides a more seamless unboxing experience for consumers. The product must be ready to ship in its current package and be evaluated according to Amazon’s certification guidelines. Learn More About Amazon SIOC >
The Amazon Packaging Support & Supplier (APASS) Network
Purple Diamond is a certified member of Amazon’s Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network (APASS).
The Amazon APASS program was created by Amazon to better support vendors, sellers, and manufacturers in obtaining certification of their products for Frustration Free Packaging (FFP), Ships in Own Container (SIOC), or Prep-Free Packaging (PFP) validation. Members of the APASS Network have received guidance from Amazon and have already worked with manufacturers to supply, design, and test Amazon Certified Packaging. The APASS Network helps vendors get their products tested to the appropriate standards efficiently, without going through excessive testing supply chains.
Ready to Simplify Your E-Commerce Packaging?
Contact our team at Purple Diamond to get certified for Prep-Free Packaging and reduce costs with Amazon’s streamlined shipping process.
Why Purple Diamond?
As a proud member of the Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network (APASS) and with an ISO-certified package testing lab, we provide the expertise and support necessary to meet Amazon’s rigorous packaging standards. No matter the product you’re shipping, our team can help you optimize your packaging to meet PFP requirements, ensuring your products are ready to ship without additional prep or protection, while also reducing packaging costs and improving efficiency. With equipment to test drops, compression, impacts, temperature, and more, our state-of-the-art lab and our team of experienced experts will provide you with the insights, data, and solutions you need to streamline your path to Amazon Packaging Certification.
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Whether you’re looking for a team of experts to engineer your new packaging product for optimal sustainability, or seeking a team who can ensure your products stay safe and secure during transport, Purple Diamond can help.
