Amazon Frustration Free Package Evaluation

With global shifts increasing e-commerce trade, packaging must now be able to withstand the many routes of shipping during transit. The demand for a simplified, recyclable package that is easy to use and open is greater than ever. With such wide-reaching industry changes, the caliber of testing and regulatory standards has also evolved. For instance, packages sold on Amazon.com are first evaluated and tested against the tiers of Amazon’s Package Testing standards in order to achieve certification for Amazon’s Vendor Central interface. This process is critical to optimizing package testing methods for manufacturers and distributors in the Amazon APASS Network.

What Is Amazon Frustration Free Package Evaluation?

Amazon Frustration Free Packaging is a type of package design that removes excess packaging. The reduction of unnecessary packaging materials not only lessens environmental impact, but simplifies the customer experience when opening an Amazon FFP shipment. As e-commerce efforts continue to grow, packaging needs continue to evolve as the customer experience shifts from stores to screens. These changes in marketing goods sold online, allows product owners to optimize packaging for distribution with recyclability in mind and ultimately produce packaging that is more accessible to customers.

Customers Benefits

Improved packaging design makes for a better customer experience and expectation. Frustration-free packaging helps customers more easily open their shipment without the need for scissors or a sharp knife. Frustration-free packaging also produces substantially less waste due to streamlined packing materials and packaging created to securely contain the product, functioning as a durable and simplified shipping box. This means that most customers are left with fewer packaging materials to dispose of when they receive their product and a higher likelihood that products will arrive at their destinations undamaged.

Seller Benefits

Since many Amazon shoppers look for FFP services, sellers who prioritize frustration-free packaging may improve their sales as a result. Additionally, sellers using frustration-free packaging are less likely to need to replace products that become damaged or broken during transit because the FFP testing process is proven to be both comprehensive and reliable. All these benefits yield reductions in operating costs for sellers and result in happier customers who may be inspired to leave more positive reviews, leading to better business overall.

How To Test Your Packaged Product For Amazon FFP

Amazon Package Testing Tiers

Amazon Frustration Free Package Evaluation

Numbers (ASINs) to ship in their original manufacturer supplied packaging. The ISTA Project 6 AMAZON.COM test was developed by ISTA in alliance with Amazon.com and is used as the standard protocol. Frustration free package testing for Amazon falls under the ISTA Project 6 AMAZON.COM SIOC procedure.

Three different categories are used for each type of packaged product tests: shipping method, handling method, and weight-and-dimensions. By testing for the e-commerce transit channels that packages go through, we can validate that your products will maintain their integrity and arrive to customers intact and undamaged. This test is intended to simulate the conditions of shipping and delivering a package, including calibrated drops and vibrations.

What is Amazon's Ships in Own Container (SIOC) Packaging?

Ships in Own Container (SIOC) is Amazon’s second tier of shipping certification, which was created to minimize waste by ensuring the product packaging is built to ship without the need for an Amazon Over Box. The product must be able to ship in its current package and be tested according to Amazon.com’s certification guidelines.

What is Amazon’s Prep-Free Packaging (PFP)?

Prep-Free Packaging (PFP) is Amazon’s third tier of shipping certification, which was created for items that are not capable of shipping in their own container (i.e. liquid product that is not six sided) and which require an over box applied by Amazon. A certified PFP package is designed to ship effectively without the need for Amazon to apply additional prep/packaging to prevent damage of leakage.

What is the Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier (APASS) Network?

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.

Why Purple Diamond?

Purple Diamond can provide the guidance and assistance needed to meet the standards required for Amazon Packaging Certification in packaging design and validation. We help vendors optimize their products for Amazon’s APASS Network FFP program, while reducing packaging costs and improving efficiencies in their supply chains.

Packaging can be designed to be protective against damage which is required for FFP, SIOC, and PFP certifications. The requirements and considerations of over-sized products can be evaluated and optimized to move efficiently through Amazon distribution networks. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality results as we develop a comprehensive solution to your specific Amazon Packaging Certification needs.

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Achieving ISO 17025 Accreditation is the pinnacle in third-party laboratory testing accreditation. It confirms that the facility has management, quality, and technical systems in place to ensure accurate and reliable analyses.

International Safe Transit Association

ISTA is revered as the certification standard for package testing for distribution. ISTA’s Testing Protocol remains a series of testing methodologies and standards well recognized within the packaging community.

Un Certification for Packaging

A select few companies are authorized by PHMSA as an approved third-party packaging testing laboratory in accordance with Hazardous Materials Regulations, critical to ensuring safe transport of dangerous goods.

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With over 12,000 standards globally, ASTM International’s fully transparent standards development enhances performance and confidence in consumer choices.

TAPPI

The Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry’s peer-reviewed standards improve production through operational methods and industry recognized best practices.

Amazon Frustration Free Package Evaluation

What Is Amazon Frustration Free Package Evaluation?

Customers Benefits

Seller Benefits

How To Test Your Packaged Product For Amazon FFP

Amazon Package Testing Tiers

Amazon Frustration Free Package Evaluation

What is Amazon's Ships in Own Container (SIOC) Packaging?

What is Amazon’s Prep-Free Packaging (PFP)?

What is the Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier (APASS) Network?

Why Purple Diamond?

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Accreditations

Affiliations

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