Amazon Packaging Certification Programme

Amazon has collaborated with ISTA, the leading packaging testing standardisation body, to develop its own requirements in the ISTA 6-Amazon.com Series. Companies selling through Amazon that do not have ISTA-certified packaging will face fixed shipping costs charged by Amazon to prepare the package for shipment. 

The Applus+ Laboratories packaging laboratory in Barcelona is one of the few labs in Spain certified to test ISTA standards, used by the main logistics, distribution and e-commerce companies like Amazon.

These standards are divided into three different programmes, for each of the three levels of packaging. 

• Level 1 Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP). The packaging must meet the same requirements as Level 2, ISTA 6-Amazon SIOC, and must have a test report from an ISTA certified laboratory such as Applus+ Laboratories. It must be the minimum size required and use recyclable materials. The main difference with level 2 is that to be FPP certified, you must be able to unpack the product in two minutes.  
• Level 2 Ships In Own Container (SIOC). The packaging must comply with the ISTA 6-Amazon SIOC standard, and must have a test report from an ISTA certified laboratory such as Applus+ Laboratories. Amazon SIOC packaging means that no preparation is required by Amazon and that the damage rate is minimal.  
• Level 3 Prep-Free Packaging (PFP) or Over Boxing. The packaging must comply with the ISTA 6-Amazon OB standard and have a test report from an ISTA certified laboratory such as Applus+ Laboratories. Unlike the other levels, this type of product needs an Amazon box, but does not require any further preparation by Amazon. As in the two previous cases, the damage rates should be minimal.  

The ISTA 6 Amazon.com SIOC tests vary depending on the size of the packaging and the transport characteristics, and are divided into six categories from A to F. See here for the types of categories and their applicable tests.

Types of Packaging: 

• Type A: Method of shipment: delivery of packages of individual packed goods of less than 23 kg and girth equal to or less than 4.19 m, with the standard handling method. 
• Type B: Method of shipment: delivery of packages of individual packed goods of 23 kg to 45 kg and girth equal to or less than 4.19 m, with the standard handling method. 
• Type C: Method of shipment: delivery of packages of individual packed goods of 45 kg or more and girth equal to or less than 4.19 m, with the standard handling method. 
• Type D: Method of shipment: van delivery (Less-Than-Truckload) of individual packed goods of less than 45 kg or girth greater than 4.19 m, with the standard handling method. 
• Type E: Method of shipment: van delivery (Less-Than-Truckload) of individual packed goods of 45 kg or more or girth greater than 4.19 m, with the standard handling method. 
• Type F: Delivery method: van delivery (Less-Than-Truckload) of individual packed goods, with the pallet handling method.
• Type G: TV / Monitor Delivery of packages of individual packed goods of less than 68 kg and girth equal to or less than 4.19 m, with the standard handling method. 
• Type H: TV / Monitor Delivery by van (Less-Than-Truckload) of individual packaged goods of 68 kg or more or girth greater than 4.19 m, with the standard handling method.