ISTA 6-Amazon Packaging Solutions 1 Table of Contents o - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ISTA 6-Amazon Packaging Solutions 1

Table of Contents o Introduction to E-Commerce & Amazon o Amazon Fulfillment Process & Requirements o Amazon Tier Certification Types o About the APASS Network o ISTA-6 Testing Information o Common Packaging Problems o Step-By-Step Testing Process o Testing Best Practices & Reasons for Failure 2

E-Commerce • Global E-Commerce sales will reach $4.8 trillion by 2021 • E-commerce share of total retail sales will be 17.5% by 2021 • Online shoppers have an average of 19 transactions/year • E-Commerce has experienced unprecedented growth and is expected to continue growing exponentially in the future Courtesy of Statistica 3

Amazon • Most popular online store in North America • Over 50% of all online product searches begin at Amazon.com • 232 billion in net sales and over 10 billion in net income • Currently ranked as the most valuable brand in the world Courtesy of Statistica 4

Acronyms • APASS - Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network • ASIN - Amazon StandardIdentification Number • FFP – Frustration-Free Packaging • PFP – Prep-Free Packaging • OB – Overbox • SIOC – Ships in Own Container • FBA – Fulfillment by Amazon 5

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Process Courtesy of Amazon 6

Amazon Packaging Certification Types 7

Amazon Packaging Certification Guidelines • Visit Amazon Vendor Central or Amazon Seller Central for guideline documentation 8

Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP) Example Courtesy of Amazon 9

Ships In Own Container (SIOC) Example Courtesy of Amazon 10

Amazon Prep-Free Packaging (PFP) Overbox (OB) Example 11

Package Certification Benefits 12

Fulfillment By Amazon Service Costs • Order handling • Pick and pack • Weight handling • Storage fees • Additional costs if a product is not certified 13

ISTA 6-Amazon Test Standards • Worked with ISTA (International Safe Transit Association) to develop ISTA 6 project series • Standardized, repeatable test series • Increase confidence product will arrive undamaged • Create less waste • Provide validity to packaging design 14

APASS • Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network(APASS) – Network of third-party partners able to design, test & supply packaging approved by Amazon – Designed to help sellers, vendors, and manufacturers certify their products in the Amazon network 15

ISTA 6-Amazon-Overbox (OB) • OB = Overbox for PFP (typical Amazon brown boxes) o For overbox shipments 70lbs orless ➢ Similar to ISTA 3A o Two test configurations ➢ Single item shipment ➢ Multiple item shipment o Correct sized overbox o Dunnage, fill, and cushioning ➢ Air pillows ➢ Hazard boxes o Tape placement o Item orientation ➢ Damage prone area facing thecorner 16

Overbox (OB) Test Sequence 17

ISTA-6 Amazon Ships In Own Container (SIOC) • For FFP and SIOC o Test Types Determined by weight and girth ➢ Type A-C: Parcel ➢ Type D-F: LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) ➢ Type G-H: TV (new for 2018) 18

Test Type Determination 19

Type G and H TVs (New for 2018) • Test standard updated to protect against damaged products observed by Amazon • Most TVs will go through Type G testing • Do not catch samples during drop testing 20

Acceptance Criteria for ISTA Tests • Must be defined and agreed upon before testingstarts o Vendor/Seller must decide what isacceptable • Product damage (broken product) • No leaks allowed if a product is liquid • End customer perspective o Ref: Amazon Packaging CertificationGuidelines 21

Why Test With Crownhill Packaging? • ISTA Certified TestingLaboratory full of state-of-the-art equipment • Precise knowledge on what ASINs need (and don’t need) testing • Continuous communications with your organization throughout the testing process 22

Common Packaging Problems • Working within Amazon requirements • Deciding on best package classification for the product • Damage to the product during shipment • The package opens during shipment 23

Amazon Packaging Certification Guidelines 24

Crownhill Solutions • Crownhill Packaging is a full-service custom packaging designer, fabricator, and supplier • A member of the Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network (APASS) • Heavy emphasis on a cooperative approach to packaging issues and specialized solutions 25

Crownhill Packaging As An APASS Partner • Crownhill Packaging has a dedicated APASS Team with Amazon Packaging Lab-trained members • A recognized innovator in the packaging industry • Design, testing, and supply services available 26

ISTA 6-Amazon Certification Process Steps 1. Enroll through Amazon Vendor Central or Amazon Seller Central 2. Contact us here to request and receive aquote 3. Send test samples tous o Ensure samples received are new and undamaged 4. We provide you with test reportsand certification documents 5. Submit official Crownhill certification documents to Amazon 27

How to Pass Testing the First Time • Plan ahead with package design • If sending SIOC, perform a few in-house pretests (e.g. drop test) • If sending a heavy product, provide adequate cushioning • Design FFP packaging for E-Commerce • Gather all necessary information: ASIN, catalogue specifications, etc. 28

Failure Avoidance Strategies • Use “worst case” scenario mentality • Design a six-sided carton with adequate protection • Adequately protect fragile parts of the product • Pack liquid products in a sealed plastic bag 29

Common Failure Modes FFP & SIOC • Needs tape or not securely sealed (locking latches) • Protrusions (tabs and handles) • Box deformation (deforms with hand pressure) • Carton rupture/ puncture/ tear • Cut-outs / exposed product • Not a six-sided box 30

Common PFP FailureModes • Mangled product or packaging • Broken product or packaging • Defective/unusable product • Leaking liquids 31

Solutions to Improve Packaging • Keep it simple • Test your designs early • Use adequate cushioning • Change one aspect at atime • Consult a packaging consultant when you encounter problems – Don’t waste precious time! 32

Tips to Maintain Certification • Changes to packaging must be re-certified (construction or material) • Changes to product design must be re-certified • Delivery of damaged products will involve re- design and re-testing • De-certification is a possibility if packaging fails or recommendations aren’t taken. 33

References • Amazon’s Packaging Blog • Amazon Seller Resources • Packaging and Prep Requirements • Statistica • Documentation from Amazon – Amazon Packaging Certification Guidelines – Common Failure Modes 34

Need A Quote? Visit our APASS Page or Contact us Toll-free Phone 1-888-571-1101 Inquires Email apass@crownhillpackaging 35