ISTA Project 6 Amazon.com-SIOC - Self-Container Shipping for Amazon.com Distribution System Shipping

The “ISTA Project 6 Amazon.com-SIOC - Shipping in its own container for Amazon.com distribution system shipment” standard, developed jointly by the International Safe Transportation Association (ISTA) and the Amazon.com site, describes a test method designed as a general simulation protocol.

This standard provides a generic simulation test method for Ship-in-Your-Own-Container (SIOC) packaged products shipped through Amazon’s distribution system to final customer destinations. This test method was developed by combining data from previous studies of transportation environments, relevant test protocols, observations of the Amazon distribution center environment, and customer feedback.

E-commerce is growing rapidly, and there are new packaging requirements and documentation to be aware of. Amazon is working to eliminate waste, increase cost-efficiency for manufacturers, and make it easier to pack products so they arrive at customers’ doors undamaged. In order for products to qualify for Amazon’s frustration-free packaging program, they must be certified as one of the following: Tier 1 (frustration-free packaging), Tier 2 (ships in its own container), and Tier 3 (no prep packaging).

To receive certification, products are evaluated based on:

• Meet all requirements for relevant standards listed in packaging certification guidelines
• Passing ISTA 6 Amazon SIOC testing with appropriate ISTA certified equipment

The ISTA Project 6 Amazon.com-SIOC test is for packaged products shipped by sellers to Amazon.com distribution centers and delivered to end-customer destinations via package or less-than-truckload (LTL) outbound transportation methods. It tests the ability of both the package and the product to withstand shipping hazards typically encountered during handling and transportation. Amazon.com sellers with products that are eligible for SIOC testing should use this test to understand the protective performance of their packaging.

Types of tests according to this standard include:

• Tip: A: Individually packaged products weighing up to 23 kg and less than approximately 419 cm in circumference
• Type B: Individually packaged items weighing between 23-45 kg and less than approximately 419 cm in circumference
• Type C: Individually packaged items weighing more than 45 kg and less than approximately 419 cm in circumference
• Type D: LTL delivery of individually packaged items weighing less than 45 kg and exceeding approximately 419 cm in circumference
• Type E: LTL delivery of individually packaged items weighing more than 45 kg and measuring more than approximately 419 cm in circumference
• Type F: LTL delivery of individually packaged products using the pallet transportation method
• Type G: LTL delivery of individually packaged TVs and monitors weighing less than 68 kg and measuring less than approximately 419 cm in circumference
• Type H: LTL delivery of individually packaged TVs and monitors weighing less than 68 lbs (419 kg) and measuring less than approximately XNUMX inches (XNUMX cm) in circumference

Essentially, general simulation tests challenge the ability of a package and product to withstand shipping hazards, but benefit from general simulation of actual shipping hazards, without necessarily complying with carrier packaging regulations.

In short, this procedure is designed to simulate e-commerce shipments of packaged products that are shipped by sellers to Amazon.com fulfillment centers and then delivered to customers. This procedure is designed for all parcel or LTL shipments that are shipped in their own container (SIOC).

This procedure includes test parameters for various package classifications, including:

• Plug:
  • Atmospheric preconditioning with ambient temperatures and humidity
  • Atmospheric conditioning under controlled temperature and humidity (optional)
  • Free fall shock test
  • Vibration test by random vibration with and without top load
  • Free fall shock test
  • Shock test with rotating edge drop (for long and flat packages)
  • Shock test with full rotary edge drop (for long and flat packages)
  • Shock test with bridge impact (only for long packages)
  • Shock test with concentrated edge impact (for flat packs only)
  • Integrity testing with leak detection (for liquids only)
• Type B
  • Atmospheric preconditioning with ambient temperatures and humidity
  • Atmospheric conditioning under controlled temperature and humidity (optional)
  • Shock testing using free fall drop
  • Rotation/tipping shock test (for packages ≥122 cm high and any base dimension ≤1/2 height or ≥76 cm high and vertical center of gravity position ≥1/2 height)
  • Vertical compression test (in intended transport direction)
  • Compression test using clamping simulation (for 61 axes with width dimension ≥191 cm and ≤2 cm)
  • Vibration testing using random vibration with and without top load
  • Shock testing using free fall drop
  • Shock test using full rotary edge drop (for long and flat packages)
  • Shock testing using bridge impact (only for long packages)
  • Shock testing using concentrated edge impact (for flat packs only)
  • Integrity testing with leak detection (for liquids only)
• Type C
  • Atmospheric preconditioning with ambient temperatures and humidity
  • Atmospheric conditioning under controlled temperature and humidity (optional)
  • Free fall shock test
  • Rotation/tipping shock test (for packages ≥122 cm high and any base dimension ≤1/2 height or ≥76 cm high and vertical center of gravity position ≥1/2 height)
  • Shock test with rotational flat drop
  • Shock test with rotational edge drop
  • Shock test with inclined or horizontal impact
  • Vertical compression test (in intended transport direction)
  • Compression test using clamping simulation (for 61 axes with width dimension ≥191 cm and ≤2 cm)
  • Shock test with inclined or horizontal impact
  • Shock test with rolling edge drop (for long or flat packages)
  • Shock test with full rotation flat drop (for long flat packages)
  • Shock testing using bridge impact (only for long packages)
  • Shock testing using intense edge impact (for flat packs only)

The standard also includes test parameters for package classifications for other types.

Among the numerous testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies that our organization has provided for businesses in various sectors, it also provides testing services defined in the “ISTA Project 6 Amazon.com-SIOC - Shipping in its own container for Amazon.com distribution system shipment” standard with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.