Carton Drop Test- ISTA-1A / 2A

For the Carton Drop Test, there are 2 standards can be referred, the International Safe Transit Association
(ISTA) 1A and 2A. Normally most of clients use the specification of ISTA 1A, the drop procedures of
ISTA 1A and 2A are the same, but their Drop Heights are different.
Drop Height
The test drop height varies with the weight of the packaged-product:
Packaged-Product
Weight
lbs
Kg
0-21
0-10
21-41
10-19
41-61
19-28
61-100
28-45
100-150
45-68

Drop Height Free Fall

1A
In.
30
24
18
12
8

2A
mm
760
610
460
310
200

In.
38
32
26
20
12

Drop Procedure
1. Firstly, make sure the samples are good samples (Including visual and function).
2. Re-pack it to original condition, including any nylon packing straps if any.
3. Then, select suitable floor. The floor should be flat, rigid base such as steel, concrete etc.
4. Conduct the drop test as per below sequence:

Mm
970
810
660
510
310

Orientation

Specific face, edge or corner

Sequence #
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Specific Orientation
Corner
Edge
Edge
Edge
Face
Face
Face
Face
Face
Face

Detail Orientation
most fragile face-3 corner, if not known, test 2-3-5
shortest edge radiating from the corner tested
next longest edge radiating from the corner tested
longest edge radiating from the corner tested
one of the smallest faces
opposite small face
one of the medium faces
opposite medium face
one of the largest faces
opposite large face

***
After the drop test, following is not allowed:
- Export cartons are damaged
- Unit boxes inside the export carton are damaged
- Sample or parts inside the gift box are damaged, deformed, scratched, dented or
other defects
- The functional performance after the drop check is not satisfactory