ISTA 6 SAMSCLUB Sam's Club Distribution System Packaged Products for Shipment

Developed jointly by the International Safe Transportation Association (ISTA) and Sam's Club “ISTA 6 SAMSCLUB Sam's Club distribution system packaged products for shipment” standard describes a procedure for testing packaged product for Sam's Club distribution system shipment. This test method is a test method used to simulate Sam's Club's import and distribution environment. This method takes into account the nature of the product, its packaging, loading patterns, and whether it is a domestic or international shipment. However, compliance with this standard cannot be used to determine compliance with carrier packaging regulations.

This testing protocol is used to simulate the ability of products in their packaging to withstand distribution hazards for Sam's Club import and the distribution environment.

ISTA 6 SAMSCLUB classifies packages into four types:

• Type A: Durable, initially palletized packages
• Type B: Non-durable large (23 Kg or more) packaged packages loaded from the ground first
• Type C: Non-durable small (under 23 Kg) packages that are first loaded onto the ground
• Type D: Perishable, initially palletized packages

Sam's Club import and distribution systems are complex. Various types of transportation and handling can occur in distribution centers and during distribution. ISTA 6 SAMSCLUB testing goes beyond typical vibration, drop and compression tests. This standard includes different types of handling such as manual, forklift, clamp truck and many others.

In some cases, products need to be tested in one configuration to best simulate shipping from the origin to the distribution center. In other cases, products can be tested in another configuration to best simulate the shipping environment from the distribution center to an actual Sam's Club store.

ISTA 6 SAMSCLUB is a very comprehensive test protocol. At a minimum, the following parameters must be documented to determine the appropriate test sequence:

• Number of samples per product 1 (minimum)
• Number of club stores
• Pallet type
• Initial shipment configuration
• Approved container loading scheme
• Details of shipments and configurations within the distribution system
• Typical atmospheric conditions

The ISTA 6 SAMSCLUB test method is considered a general simulation test and does not comply with carrier regulations. The “Type A - Durable, initially palletized packages” method consists of five mandatory steps:

• Oblique impact: 4 IPS on all 42 sides
• Swivel flat drop: 15cm for domestic shipments or 20cm for international shipments
• Vertical compression to a calculated load: AR, AH and DW options (this is a rather detailed calculation)
• Random vibration: 6 hours according to ISTA 3 profile, no top load
• Roll edge drop: 15cm for domestic shipments or 20cm for international shipments

Only for non-standard pallets the final mandatory step is the straight push. This is done with the fork blade end of the forklift.

In short, ISTA 6 SAMSCLUB is a general simulation test for packaged goods shipped through the Sam's Club distribution system to their final destinations in the USA. It was developed from an extensive survey, observation and field measurement program of the actual Sam's Club system. This program was translated into laboratory testing by personal visits to various distribution centers, overseas suppliers and ports, and US Club stores, and by taking into account acceleration and other data of ocean containers, trucks and forklifts.

For the purposes of this standard,

• Perishable goods generally refer to foods, beverages, fresh flowers and similar items that may be susceptible to spoilage or deterioration if not kept at prescribed temperature, humidity or other conditions.
• Non-perishable products generally refer to products that are not damaged by extreme temperatures, humidity, and similar effects.
• Floor-loaded refers to products that are initially shipped without palletization, initially loaded directly onto a shipping vehicle or ocean container, where the club (store) quantity is one case or unit. A packaged product that is floor-loaded is considered oversized if:
  • If it weighs 23 kg or more
  • If the longest dimension is 610 mm or more, the next longest dimension is 510 mm or more, and the shortest dimension is 510 mm or more
  • If any of the dimensions length, width or height is 760 mm or more
  • A packaged item loaded onto the floor is considered small if it does not meet the definition of large above.
• Club (store) quantity, club or store quantity, generally refers to the number of packaged items shipped to a club or store at any one time to replenish stock. A batch of packaged items may be shipped from the manufacturer or producer as a unitized load, but the load may then be broken down into smaller batches or individually packaged items for shipment to clubs or stores to meet replenishment requirements.
• Domestic shipping means the origin is within the United States.
• International shipping means the origin is outside the United States.
• Consolidated load refers to multiple products or packages bound together (with straps, shrink wrap or stretch film) as a unit for handling and transportation.

Among the numerous testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies that our organization has carried out for businesses in various sectors, it also provides testing services defined in the “ISTA 6 SAMSCLUB Sam's Club distribution system packaged products for shipment” standard with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.