Amazon Ships in Own Container Testing
Proper SIOC (Ships in Own Container) methods have become a major focus as the demand for e-commerce packaging design and validation continues to grow. Amazon created a multi-tier ISTA 6 Series certification package program to address a number of issues related to shipping quality and transit conditions that affect packages across industries. These conditions include the different 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 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 Ships in Own Container Testing?
Amazon Ships in Own Container (SIOC) is Amazon’s second tier of shipping certification, which was created to minimize waste by guaranteeing the product packaging is built to ship without requiring an Amazon Over Box. The product must be ready to ship in its current package and be tested according to Amazon.com’s certification guidelines. To qualify for SIOC, the product must be able to ship in its own container without the need for any additional packaging and ultimately arrive undamaged to its final destination. Each product is tested in its current package without the need for supporting materials. If the product needs additional protection created with non-recyclable packaging materials for transit, then it would not fall within SIOC requirements.
How To Test Your Packaged Product For Amazon SIOC
Amazon Package Testing Tiers
- 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.
Amazon Ships in Own Container Testing
Amazon utilizes the ISTA 6 Series test method to ensure quality packaging at every level in the supply chain. The ISTA Project 6 AMAZON.COM test was developed by ISTA in alliance with Amazon.com and is used as the standard protocol for general simulation. Ships in own container package testing for Amazon falls under the ISTA Project 6 AMAZON.COM SIOC procedure. These tests challenge the durability of a package and its product to withstand common distribution hazards.
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 Frustration Free Packaging (FFP)?
Ships in Own Container (SIOC) is Amazon’s first tier of shipping certification, which was created to minimize waste by ensuring the product packaging is designed to ship without the need for additional packaging. The reduction of unnecessary packaging materials lessens environmental impact and simplifies the customer experience.
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?
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 SIOC 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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The APASS program was designed by Amazon to help support vendors, sellers, and manufacturers in obtaining certification of their products as Frustration Free Packaging (FFP), Ships in Own Container (SIOC), or Prep-Free Packaging (PFP).
