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Cheat Sheet

November 16, 2021 By Amazowl Team

Amazon Frustration Free Packaging Frustration Free Packaging Programs Cheat Sheet

Amazon Vendor Central Business Value

Amazon Frustration Free Packaging

Section 1: Frustration Free Packaging Programs

Cheat Sheet

What is Frustration Free Packaging
• What an odd name to use for this program.
• Frustration-Free is a great term actually when you look at what this program really is.
• To do that, let’s start from the beginning.
• You have just signed up as a Vendor with Amazon and you think your products are packaged suitably for the initial transport to your warehouse, the unknown length of time of storage in your own warehouse, the transport to an Amazon Fulfillment Center, the unknown storage time in that Fulfillment Center, the transport to the consumer and the consumer’s experience removing your packaging from your product.
• Mmm, a simple plastic bag over your handbag product doesn’t seem to be quite sufficient now, does it?
• This is why Amazon came up with the Frustration Free Packaging Program for products they purchase and ship to the end consumer.
• Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP) is a set of rules that Amazon sellers must follow regarding their packaging.
• The frustration-free packaging program was introduced in 2008 to combat pollution, improve the customer’s unpacking experience and reduce over-packing, not to mention protect the product inside from the rigours of storage in warehouses and Fulfillment Centers, as well as the transport from the original warehouse through Amazon’s Fulfillment Center and finally to the consumer’s hands.
• The Frustration Free Packaging Program is Amazon’s response to consumers’ demand and seeks to achieve these 4 primary goals:
     * Ensuring packages are easy to open to create a quality customer experience;
     * Reduction of waste by shipping items without Amazon boxes;
     * Manufacturing packaging 100% recycling material to cut down on environmental impact; and
     * Making sure that the packaging is protected adequately against damage.
• In short, Amazon aims to drive the logistics industry towards cost-effective, protective, low-waste, and easy-to-open packaging.
• You will therefore need to test and certify all primary ASINs so you can group them as either Tier 1 – Frustration Free Packaging or Tier 2 – Ships in Own Container.
• The products that belong to Tier 1 and Tier 2 do not need additional preparation from Amazon and are free from the Chargebacks.
• However, other products are grouped as Tier 3 and are subject to the Chargeback Fee.

The Three Tiers of the Frustration Free Packaging Program
• So what exactly are these three tiers of the Frustration Free Packaging Program?
• We’re glad you asked.
     * Tier 1: FFP (Frustration-Free Packaging)
     * Tier 2: SIOC (Ships in Owners Container)
     * Tier 3: PFP Prep-Free Packaging
• Great, but that doesn’t explain exactly what each is.
• Let’s explain a little more fully.
• Tier 1 for Frustration Free Packaging is essentially for products that are packaged without needing additional preparation or over-boxing from Amazon.
• Tier 2 for Ships in Own Container is basically that the product has to ship in its own packaging but is normally for larger products, which we’ll go into a little later.
• Tier 3 for Preparation Free Packaging is for products that require no additional preparation from Amazon BUT an over-box is required for shipping the product – like our example of your handbag product simply packed in a plastic bag.

The Certification Requirements
• These are the Certification Requirements for each tier:
     * Tier 1: Certified as FPP – Frustration-Free Packaging
     * No overbox required
     * Minimal damage/defect rates
     * No Amazon prep required
     * Easy open for the customer
     * Minimal packaging
     * Curbside recyclable packaging materials
     * Tier 2: Certified as SIOC – Ships in Own Container
     * No overbox required
     * Minimal damage/defect rates
     * No Amazon prep required
     * Tier 3: Certified as PFP – Prep-Free Packaging
     * Overbox is required
     * No Amazon prep required
     * Minimal damage/defect rates
• Right, let’s get into the details, shall we?
• Packaging Construction: Product packaging must be a rigid six-sided shape (rectangular), capable of surviving the single parcel delivery network or Less-than-Truckload (LTL) shipping, as validated by passing the ISTA 6-Amazon.com (SIOC) test method. Padded mailers and rigid envelopes may be used, however six-sided rigid corrugate cartons are the preferred packaging method. Polybags are not allowed. Package panels must be flat and free of protrusions, windows and cut-outs. Access holes/hand holes are allowed but cannot exceed dimensions of 3” x 1.5”.
• B. Minimum Packaging Dimensions: Product packaging must meet the minimum dimensions listed here, with no exceptions to certify your products as Tier 1 FFP or Tier 2 SIOC. Any product packaging with dimensions smaller than those listed here can only qualify for Tier 3 (PFP) as it will require additional over boxing by Amazon. PFP certification is optional at this time.

• C. Packaging Sealing: All open edges must be adequately sealed to ensure the product remains protected while in the fulfilment center and throughout its distribution to the customer. Staples are not allowed as a sealing method, but are permitted on the manufacturer glue joint. Locking tabs must be properly sealed with glue or tape. For oversized products, non-metal straps or bands are permitted to provide structural integrity to the outer shipper, as long as the straps are tightly fitted around the product. Bundling multiple packages with straps or bands is not permitted.
• D. Package Printing and Identification Labeling: Package markings and labeling must clearly indicate contents and communicate any unique handling instructions. All certified packages must also follow the labeling and carton marking requirements as outlined in the Vendor Shipment Prep and Transportation Manual available within the Vendor Central Resource Centers.
• E. HAZMAT Classified Products: At this time, Amazon cannot offer certification as Tier 1 FFP or Tier 2 SIOC for HAZMAT products (ASINs with a UN number) and/or if the packaging has any transportation regulated symbols or markings. Tier 3 PFP certifications are allowed for HAZMAT items.
• F. Product-to-Packaging Ratio: “Product” is defined as the total cubic volume of the primary product and the included components necessary for the function/use of the product. Product-to-Package ratio is calculated as: the volume of the product, divided by the total volume of the packaging. See this example here:

• Box-Utilization Score must be greater than 30% and 50% for fragile and non-fragile products for Tier 1 FFP Certifications. Fragile products include, but are not limited to, items containing:
• Glass, ceramic, porcelain, clay
• Liquid/semi-liquids; Solids that can become liquid at temperatures experienced during the distribution cycle (above 70°F or 21.1°C).
• If a product has 50% or greater of its total pieces containing fragile material, the product will be deemed fragile and 5 complete samples will be needed for testing. All others will only need one sample for certification.
• G. Recyclable Packaging: For Tier 1 (FFP), packaging must be made of 100% curbside recyclable materials. Acceptable materials include: corrugated and other paper-based materials, and/or plastic components marked with SPI codes 1 (PET), 2 (HDPE), and 5 (PP). In the U.S., packaging must be in compliance with the FTC’s Green Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims, (www.ftc.gov; Section 260.12). For the EU, please refer to the legislation on European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste. These are meant as examples only, and Vendors are responsible for complying with all applicable laws. Additionally, printing and/or treatments must not affect the recyclability of the package.
• Plastic films or bags are only allowed in situations where the product requires abrasion and dust protection, or small parts containment. Only plastic film printed with SPI codes 2 (HDPE) and 4 (LDPE) are acceptable.
• Twist ties are allowed to manage cord organization only and cannot be used to secure the product to its packaging.
• Silica gel bags are allowed.
• Flexible films or bags that provide barrier properties and maintain product quality or freshness are allowed.
• H. Easy-To-Open: Tier 1 (FFP) packaging must be easy-to-open by the customer with minimal use of scissors or box cutter. Packaging must not contain blister packs, plastic inserts, packaging peanuts, shredded paper, or welded clam shells. All contents must be removable from the package within 120 seconds.
• What do we mean exactly when we talk of the Chargebacks? Well, from the 1st of August 2019, Amazon began charging a $1.99 fee on all units sold and fulfilled by Amazon for packages bigger than 18″ ×14″ ×9″ or weighing over 20 pounds that isn’t a Tier 1 or Tier 2 certified primary ASIN. Hence, if your product packaging is certified for Tier 1 or Tier 2, then you won’t get the FFP/SIOC chargeback.

The Benefits of Frustration Free Packaging
• Right, you’d probably like to know what you get out of all of this, especially as it may prove to be quite a thing getting your products prepared in this approved packaging.
• Let’s look at some of these benefits for you:
     * Reduction/Elimination of Amazon Prep chargebacks – If an ASIN meets the certification guidelines of Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3, Amazon makes sure your ASIN isn’t side-lined to include additional Amazon Packaging Preparation. Vendors can eliminate preparation chargebacks like this.
     * A Decrease in Packaging Costs – Regular retail packages are most times designed to capture the attention of customers by the use of full glossy color printing, an oversized package for greater shelf presence, or via cut-outs, windows and other expensive packaging features that aren’t required for Amazon visitors. By adhering to the Amazon Frustration Free Packaging guidelines and getting rid of irrelevant packaging marketing features, sellers can eliminate or reduce waste, boost sustainability and save costs.
     * Opportunity to Cut-Down on Inbound Transportation Costs – When you optimize your package for Amazon fulfillment, your package gets “sized right” for the entire supply chain. A compact package equates to a lower transportation expense (more product units per pallet, per truck and per container). Amazon also spends less to ship that same item to their customers, reducing transportation costs for both Amazon and the vendor.
• Traditionally vendors used the same package design for eCommerce and retail shelves, but the rising demand by consumers for sustainable packaging and the growth of eCommerce convenience has initiated a refined focus on how products are delivered to consumers.
• Amazon’s frustration-free packaging regulations require sellers to design their packaging for the purpose it serves to optimize costs.
• Simply put, design different packaging for items sold via eCommerce channels versus the retail shelves as no one is going to be perusing the packaging of your product on an online store and decide to buy the product based on its cool packaging.
• No, all the information on your packaging is written out on the product detail page, along with more information and more images and videos displaying your product as it stands outside of the packaging.
• Why would you need to spend an exorbitant amount on some flashy packaging when it’s not needed when selling via an online store such as Amazon?
• Design your packaging in line with its intended flow via the supply chain in mind, from the get-go, to optimize user experience, production, and cost savings.

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