SHIPS IN PRODUCT

PACKAGING
What are the Ships in Product
Packaging guidelines?
This document and these specifications are confidential information and remain exclusive property of Amazon. This document does not grant any rights to
program participants (Vendors, Sellers, Distributors, and Manufacturers) including rights to participate in this initiative or use any names, marks, packaging
dress or other proprietary rights related to the Amazon Packaging Certification Initiative Program. Any such rights will be subject to separate Amazon
Packaging Certification Initiative Terms and Conditions. This document does not constitute an express or implied grant of any rights to or under Amazon’s
patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks or other intellectual property rights. Amazon reserves the right to revise or withdraw these specifications
without notice at any time in our sole discretion.

Version 1, 2023
Updated: 8/11/2023
 PACKAGING GUIDELINES
North America

RIGID PACKAGING FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

EXCLUSIONS
These items are not
eligible for SIOC

REQUIREMENTS

PACKAGING SIZE

REQUIREMENTS

WEIGHT
REQUIREMENTS

MATERIAL
STRUCTURE

REQUIREMENTS

SEAL/CLOSURE

REQUIREMENTS
Package markings and labelling must clearly indicate contents.
Potentially sensitive items (e.g., swimwear, underwear, health and wellness products, medical products, adult products) must be concealed
LABELING
and marked/labelled discreetly to avoid negative customer experience
Adhesive labels (e.g., shipping labels) must maintain adhesion to the exterior packaging under normal sorting and distribution conditions.
Exterior scannable label must meet Seller Central Guidelines

RECOMMENDATIONS Exterior packaging that is opaque or obscures the contents inside the package, for improved customer experience

The packaging size requirements refer to the outmost container or bag of the product.
 PACKAGING GUIDELINES
Europe

RIGID PACKAGING FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

EXCLUSIONS
These items are not
eligible for SIOC

REQUIREMENTS

PACKAGINGSIZE

REQUIREMENTS

WEIGHT

REQUIREMENTS

MATERIAL
STRUCTURE

REQUIREMENTS

SEAL/CLOSURE

Package markings and labelling must clearly indicate contents.

Potentially sensitive items (e.g., swimwear, underwear, health and wellness products, medical products, adult products) must be
REQUIREMENTS
concealed and marked/labelled discreetly to avoid negative customer experience
LABELING Adhesive labels (e.g., shipping labels) must maintain adhesion to the exterior packaging under normal sorting and distribution conditions.
Exterior scannable label must meet Seller Central Guidelines

RECOMMENDATIONS Exterior packaging that is opaque or obscures the contents inside the package, for improved customer experience

The packaging size requirements refer to the outmost container or bag of the product.
What is rigid SIOC packaging?

Hang tab Window Window Shrink wrapped

What is flexible SIOC packaging?

Not securely sealed Handle Hang tab Opening on top

SHIPS IN PRODUCT
PACKAGING
How do I create product groups?
This document and these specifications are confidential information and remain exclusive property of Amazon. This document does not grant any rights to program
participants (Vendors, Sellers, Distributors, and Manufacturers) including rights to participate in this initiative or use any names, marks, packaging dress or other
proprietary rights related to the Amazon Packaging Certification Initiative Program. Any such rights will be subject to separate Amazon Packaging Certification Initiative
Terms and Conditions. This document does not constitute an express or implied grant of any rights to or under Amazon’s patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks
or other intellectual property rights. Amazon reserves the right to revise or withdraw these specifications without notice at any time in our sole discretion.

Version 1, 2023
Updated: 8/11/2023
 PRODUCT GROUPS
Examples of qualifying product groups
 PRODUCT GROUPS
Rules or Criteria Required for Approval as a Product Group
Amazon will consider physically similar products or ASIN Variations as a product group that can be
certified by a single test report only if they meet the following criteria:
1. Size Variation: The Secondary ASIN(s) can be up to 25% smaller on one single dimension or up to
25% smaller in terms of total volume as compared to the Primary ASIN. Amazon will not accept
ASINs that are more than 108” in length or 165” in girth for Form-Factor Certification.
2. Weight Variation: The weight of the Secondary ASIN(s) may be up to 25% less than the weight of
the Primary ASIN. Items that are 8oz or less will not be held to the 25% criteria.
3. Material Composition: The Secondary ASIN(s) must be identical to the Primary ASIN in terms of
material composition in order to be eligible for this program.
4. Packaging Type and Specifications: The Secondary ASIN(s) must have identical packaging type,
design, and specifications as the Primary ASIN. For example, if the Primary ASIN is packaged in
double-walled, C- Flute, board-grade corrugate, then the Secondary ASIN must also be packaged
using the same type and grade of corrugate.
5. Product-to-Packaging Ratio: The Product-to-Packaging Ratio, defined as the ratio of the volume of
the product to the volume of the packaging, must be similar for the Primary and Secondary ASINs.
6. Pack Quantity: The Primary and Secondary ASINs must have the same pack quantity in order to be
considered for Form-Factor Certification. For example, if a Primary ASIN contains four units of an
item, then the Secondary ASIN being submitted for Form-Factor Certification will be considered
only if it also contains exactly four items. The only exception to this rule may be granted in the case
of soft products such as diapers, textiles, toilet paper, and paper towels.
Submit the test result for the primary ASIN, which must be the heaviest and largest ASIN of the product group.

Secondary ASINs may include ASIN variations that are not included in the same Product Detail Page as long as they conform to the
above criteria.
SHIPS IN PRODUCT
PACKAGING
How do I test the packaging and record results?
This document and these specifications are confidential information and remain exclusive property of Amazon. This document does not grant any rights to program
participants (Vendors, Sellers, Distributors, and Manufacturers) including rights to participate in this initiative or use any names, marks, packaging dress or other
proprietary rights related to the Amazon Packaging Certification Initiative Program. Any such rights will be subject to separate Amazon Packaging Certification Initiative
Terms and Conditions. This document does not constitute an express or implied grant of any rights to or under Amazon’s patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks
or other intellectual property rights. Amazon reserves the right to revise or withdraw these specifications without notice at any time in our sole discretion.

Version 1, 2023
Updated: 8/11/2023
 PACKAGING TESTING METHOD
To be certified, all packaging must pass
physical performance tests. NUMBERING DROP TESTING MATERIAL
If your product meets any of the below Start numbering on the Mark 46 cm and 92 cm on a STRENGTH TEST
attributes: largest side of the box/mailer, table leg or wall. Drop the
and continue numbering (1-4) box/mailer from the height (required only for
• weighs < 50 lbs by rotating the package to the onto the face, edge, or corner
• is non-fragile right. The remaining surfaces in the order described in the Flexible/Bag
• does not contain liquids, are numbers 5-6. video.
RIGID Packaging)
• does not contain sharp items Drop fresh corrugate box sized
Make sure to photograph the
• is not granular with a diameter <1” (“Hazard Box”) 23x16x8 cm
undamaged package now. FACE
then you can conduct a self-test to certify as containing a 2 kg bag of sand
described on the right, and as demonstrated Use this same package 2 from a height of 92 cm
in the video below. throughout the entire test. CORNER directly onto the bag without
3
If your product weighs more than 50 lbs, OR RIGID causing material punctures or
item damage.
is fragile, OR contains liquids, you cannot 5
self-test. You will need to submit a lab report
from an ISTA-6 lab in Amazon’s APASS
1 EDGE 1
network for certification. 4
5

DROP TEST - RIGID TOP

3
FLEXIBLE
6 2 FACE

BOTTOM 6
3 2
FLEXIBLE CORNER
4 1
EDGE
5
DROP TEST - FLEXIBLE 6 6

2 2 3
4 1 4

5 5

TOP BOTTOM

After self-testing is complete, the
packaging must be evaluated to determine
if the product can be certified. Below is a
video to help with evaluation.
EVALUATION – RIGID
EVALUATION – FLEXIBLE
Congratulations! Now that you have
completed the self-tests, you are ready to
enroll your ASINs in SIOC. Please complete
the drop test evaluation & enrollment form.
rd
Send your completed form (as well as 3
party lab test reports if relevant) to
fba-sioc-na-pilot@amazon.com.
RECORDING RESULTS
ASSESSMENT DOCUMENTATION
Does your item have: After the drop testing and assessment is
complete, record the post-test images
• Visible damage or breakage?
that will be needed for the submission
• Loss of function or utility (doesn’t
work)? form.
• Compromised seal or tape failure?
If you answered YES to any question
POST-TEST BILL OF
MATERIALS
above, your item does not qualify.
Contents of the package
If you notice other signs of wear on the
including the insert
outer or inner packaging that are not
listed above, then ask:
Would our customers accept this?
If you answered NO, your item does not
qualify.
POST-TEST ITEM
(PHOTO X3)
Detail images of the
interior of the packaging
 PHOTO EXAMPLES FOR SUBMISSION

Pre test: Sides 1-2-5 Pre test: Sides 3-4-6 Post test: Bill of Materials

Post test: Packaging Post test: Product Hazard Box: only necessary for flexible
packaging