Recently, Amazon announced the launch of a program titled "Shipping in Original Packaging (SIPP)," which encourages FBA sellers to ship products in their brand's own packaging, as opposed to utilizing Amazon's packaging options.
Amazon has highlighted that participating sellers will benefit from FBA shipping discounts, with the previous announcement indicating discounts ranging between $0.04 and $1.32.
Notably, the announcement also outlines additional benefits for sellers participating in the SIPP program:
Firstly, sellers have the opportunity to customize their product packaging, enhancing brand visibility and appeal to customers—a particularly advantageous feature for brand-focused sellers.
Secondly, the program promotes environmental sustainability in logistics and transportation. By using original product packaging, sellers can minimize packaging waste and reduce the volume of goods transported. This reduction in space required per shipment can decrease the number of freight trucks needed, thereby cutting down on carbon emissions.
Overall, the SIPP program offers practical benefits and is attractive to sellers who meet the program's conditions, providing both economic and environmental incentives.
What is a SIPP Plan?
The Shipped in Original Package (SIPP) program, previously known as Ships in Own Container (SIOC), enables Amazon FBA sellers to ship products in their own branded packaging, foregoing any additional packaging from Amazon. The renaming of the program from SIOC to SIPP indicates an effort by Amazon to clarify the program's intent and enhance understanding among sellers who may have previously misconstrued its purpose.
Amazon emphasizes that the use of product packaging for delivery extends beyond merely "using the seller's own packaging." This initiative is designed not just to economize on costs and materials but also to encourage sellers to focus on enhancing brand visibility and promoting their products more effectively through their packaging. This strategic shift in the SIPP program underscores Amazon's commitment to helping sellers leverage their packaging as a tool for brand enhancement and product marketing.
How to Join SIPP Plan
The program will be available to all products utilizing Amazon logistics via the seller platform starting February 5, based on the destination country's local time. To enroll in this program, sellers are required to assess and revise their product packaging designs to comply with specific packaging and delivery standards.
Participation in the Shipped in Original Package (SIPP) program mandates that all packages must undergo physical performance testing. This can be achieved through self-inspection or by testing in an International Safe Transportation Association (ISTA) 6 accredited laboratory. Deciding between self-inspection and ISTA 6 laboratory testing depends on the nature of the product:
Self-Inspection: Suitable for non-fragile products that do not contain liquids, sharp objects, or granular materials with a diameter of less than 1mm.
ISTA 6 Laboratory Test: Necessary for products that are fragile, contain sharp objects, or include liquids. For such products, self-inspection is not permissible, and sellers must provide a report from an ISTA-6 certified laboratory within the Amazon Packaging Support and Supplier Network (APASS).
Sellers who are eligible for self-inspection can access detailed instructions through the following link:
Self-Testing for Ships in Product Packaging Certification
For products that require laboratory testing, sellers need to submit a report from an ISTA-6 laboratory to fba-SIOC-cnpilot@amazon.com to achieve the "Shipping in Original Packaging (SIPP)" certification.
How to Find Eligible Third-Party Experiments
Numerous third-party laboratories globally are equipped to assess whether sellers' packaging complies with Amazon's Shipping in Original Package (SIPP) requirements. Sellers can utilize the ISTA certified testing laboratory search tool to locate appropriate laboratories for their needs.
More information about ISTA can be found by visiting the following link.
https://ista.org/find_a_lab_or_services.php
HQTS QA International Services Co., Ltd Packaging Laboratory, a member of ISTA since 2003, boasts over 2 decades of experience in transportation packaging testing. As one of the pioneering ISTA-certified laboratories in China, HQTS-QAI can fulfill the testing requirements necessary for registration in the Amazon SIPP program according to ISTA 6 standards. This assistance can help sellers optimize their packaging and logistics strategies, leading to cost savings and efficiency improvements.
For more detailed information on the specific tests conducted, please refer to the test analysis published previously by this account