Everything You Need To Know About Frustration Free Packaging
If you want to sell on Amazon, it's important to be aware of the Frustration-Free Packaging Program. This program was launched by Amazon in 2008 and has evolved over the years, but it's still an important part of selling on the platform. The program offers a number of benefits to businesses, including reaching new consumers and selling more products.
The Frustration-Free Packaging Program is designed to make it easier for customers to receive and open products sold on Amazon. Products that are part of the program have a special logo on their product page, letting customers know they will not have to deal with frustrating packaging.
The program also offers free shipping for these products, which can save businesses money. In addition, the program helps businesses reduce their environmental impact by using less packaging material.
Table Of Contents
What Is Amazon's Frustration-Free Packaging? Frustration Free Packaging (FFP) Guidelines What Has This Done For Amazon? Why Do You Need Amazon Certified Packaging? Getting Your Free Certification Benefits of FFP Certification Different Packaging Tiers By Amazon ISTA Testing For Frustration-Free Packaging Create Amazon Certified Frustration-Free Packaging With Bennett
What Is Amazon's Frustration-Free Packaging?
Amazon Certified Frustration-Free Packaging is recyclable and comes without excess packaging materials. The product inside is the same, and everything is included in the Certified Frustration-Free Packaging that would be in the original manufacturer's packaging. - Amazon
E-Commerce Packaging And Waste
E-commerce has been criticized for its packaging wastefulness, but Amazon has been doing something bold to change that negative image. Typically, products are shipped in a box-within-a-box, leading to way too much packaging material, excessive weight, and an unhappy customer.
Now, most E-Commerce businesses have moved towards Ship In Own Container or SIOC.
Amazon ships roughly 7 Billion packages per year. Think of all the waste it's reducing by simplifying the packaging.
Frustration Free Packaging (FFP) Guidelines
The reason they created Frustration-Free Packaging was to simplify the supply chain, reduce excess waste, and make it easier for the customer.
The packaging typically follows these guidelines:
Protective Packaging
- Transporting it to a Fulfillment Center
- Moving it within a Warehouse or Fulfillment Center
- Shipping it directly to the customers through the mail
Cost-Effective Design
- Packaging should always be in a condition to ship without extra protection. This is called SIOC (Ships In Own Container).
- Packaging should be marked with barcodes, regulations and product descriptions so they can easily find their way around distribution centers.
- Designs should be lightweight and take up as little space as possible in inventory and for the products inside.
Easy Unboxing
- The following items should not be included in your packaging: plastic inserts, blister packs, and peanuts.
- The 120-second rule ensures that any content in a packaging can be easily removed. If all excess has been removed, this should be easy to accomplish.
Minimize Waste
- The packaging should be recyclable.
- It’s always a good idea to make sure your items say “Recycled" or some other indication of how they are made.
- A shipper box should fit the products inside, but not exceed 2 inches of the packaging material used.
What Has This Done For Amazon?
Reducing packaging has had a huge impact on Amazon's bottom line. Over the last six years, they have reduced the packaging weight per shipment by 36% and eliminated one million tons of packaging.
This has not only saved Amazon money but also made them more sustainable and appealing to consumers. Today, customers are more likely to buy from a company making sustainable choices, and packaging plays a significant role.
All of these efforts have helped Amazon save billions of dollars while also becoming more sustainable. It's a win-win for the company and for the environment.
Why Do You Need Amazon Certified Packaging?
Getting certified by Amazon can help a business reduce waste, save money, and become more sustainable. Packaging plays a big role in all of these areas, and Amazon has specific guidelines that must be followed in order to be certified.
Increase Sales
Amazon has a wide range of requirements for its products, and if you follow them to the letter, they will push your items up in ranking on Amazon. This not only means more sales but also a better chance of being found by potential customers!
Reduce Shipping Costs And Returns
Amazon's guidelines can help reduce the amount of packaging material used and the overall weight of shipments. This can lead to lower shipping costs and fewer returns due to damaged goods.
Improved Customer Experience
The packaging should be easy to open, recyclable, and lab-tested so you can provide the best possible protection for your product.
Improve Your Brand Image
Your package will have the credibility of being certified by Amazon, one of America’s most trusted companies.
Getting Your Free Certification
By becoming certified, you can ensure that your products are packaged in a way to reduce customer frustration. This is managed within the Seller Central and Vendor Central.
This process involves an in-depth technical analysis by a few Amazon packaging professionals, followed by transit testing either at the company's Packaging Certification Lab or through ISTA-certified facilities.
FFP Enrollment
First, you must enroll each of the ASINs specified in this step. You can do so through Seller Central or Vendor Central with Amazon.
A Lab Review Is Conducted
Next, high-resolution images are typically submitted for review. The samples are then shipped to Amazon’s Packaging Certification Laboratory for testing.
ASIN Launch
Finally, once the packaging has successfully passed through Lab Review and testing, Amazon certifies ASINs like FFP or ECR. This certification opens the door to a host of additional benefits, including site marketing and the opportunity to be featured in Frustration Free Packaging's storefront. It's a valuable investment for your business!
Benefits of FFP Certification
“Frustration-Free Packaging provides an optimal experience for online shoppers by being Easy to Open, Protective, and Low Waste. When customers have a positive opening of their product, they are less likely than others in the past to throw out any packaging materials away, which means you can reduce your environmental impact!
The implementation of this program will not only help businesses save money but also reduce waste across their supply chains.
Reduce Or Eliminate Amazon’s Prep Chargebacks
The Amazon FFP, SIOC, and PFP rankings guarantee that your products won't get thrown out for extra preparation. This means you can avoid those pesky chargebacks!
Reduce Packaging Cost
The packaging of most retail goods is designed to grab the attention through color, glossy prints, and cutouts. The items can be seen from a distance because they're oversized, so you'll buy them!
It is important for businesses to think about their packaging as it can greatly impact both cost and customer satisfaction.
When you optimize the amount of marketing features in your product, such packing will cut off unneeded items that are only going into landfills or getting thrown away by customers themselves!
Reduce Transportation Cost
This package will benefit the entire supply chain because it is optimized for Amazon’s fulfillment. Small packages mean lower transportation costs and extra space on trucks or pallets per container.
This is a win-win situation for both Amazon and you. The company saves money on shipping while providing customers with an affordable product!
Plus with reduced waste this helps save money too so companies don't needlessly spend more than necessary- all while increasing sustainability rates at no extra charge!.
Different Packaging Tiers By Amazon
The FFP Program comprises three certification tiers into which all products will fall.
Typically, all three tiers include the following:
- No preparation required by Amazon
- Waste reduction by shipping without an Amazon over the box
- Minimize damage and defect rates
- ISTA 6- Amazon Overbox-test compliant
Tier One | Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP)
Tier One packaging will be 100% curbside recyclable, easy to open, and minimally packaged. Products in this category will also not need Amazon to prep for shipping! You can find these items without an overbox, too—they're perfect if you just want your product delivered right away.
Generate incentive payments from each sale, and you'll receive information about your product listing that showcases great packaging initiatives to encourage consumers to choose you over competitors.
Tier Two | Ships in Own Container (SIOC)
Products ship in their packaging through the mail with no additional work from Amazon over boxes or preparations. The main difference between Tier One and Two is that this packaging doesn't need to be as recyclable. So, depending on the tape or other materials you are using, you may be in this tier.
Tier Three | Prep-Free Packaging (PFP)
While Amazon does not provide additional preparation, this packaging will need an Amazon Overbox for shipping. That means it is subject to Amazon chargebacks and can incur additional supply chain costs.
Related: How Do I Find A Packaging Manufacturer
What are the Requirements For Tier 1 FFP?
The benefits of being certified as frustration-free packaging are many and varied, but they all have in common: you can provide your customers with quality goods.
It can be a great tool for consumers and businesses, as it removes the risk of Amazon chargebacks. Plus, you get incentives!
For packaging to be certified Tier One FFP, it must meet all of these requirements:
- Shape: Rectangular design with six faces.
- Size: Minimum dimensions for a product are listed at 6” x 4” x 0.375”.
- Weight: The current maximum weight accepted is 50 lbs.
- Minimal Damage: Minimize damage or defect rates, validated using ISTA 6 compliance lab testing.
- Waste Reduction: Reduce packaging waste by designing to fit your products as efficiently as possible.
- Recyclable: Made from materials that are 100% recyclable.
- Easy Unboxing: Customers can open and remove all contents inside in under 120 seconds. And a minimal use of scissors.
Tier One approval is your best option for success.
ISTA Testing For Frustration-Free Packaging
ISTA 6-Amazon-Overbox
An individually packaged product is placed into an Amazon overbox with packaging dunnage. The standard includes two sequences of drop shock testing and one sequence of random vibration testing with a single test profile.
ISTA 6-Amazon-SIOC
This standard includes nine sequences of drop shock testing and one sequence for random vibration with three different profiles.
ISTA 6-Amazon Vibration Testing
Entering the random vibration test profiles is simple. Various micro-vibrations are applied to the packaging to see how it holds up.
More information is available on the ISTA website.
Create Amazon Certified Frustration-Free Packaging With Bennett
Packaging is important for both the consumer and the business. Packaging that meets Amazon's Frustration-Free Packaging guidelines can have many benefits, such as reducing waste, saving on cost, and less damage/defect rates.
If your products meet Tier One FFP requirements, you can generate incentive payments from each sale and will receive information on your product listing about your great packaging initiatives, encouraging consumers to choose you over competitors.
At Bennett Packaging, we have the experience and knowledge to create packaging that meets Amazon's Frustration-Free Packaging guidelines. We can help you save time and money while also ensuring that your products are protected during shipping.
