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ISTA 6 Certification Service

2021-05-27


As of 1 August 2019, products sold on the Amazon platform (except for exempt products) must pass the ISTA 6 Level 1 Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP) or Level 2 Ships in its Own Container (SIOC) test and obtain a compliance report.


As an independent and authoritative testing, inspection and certification organization, STC is an ISTA accredited laboratory and can provide the packaging transportation testing service with Amazon ISTA-6–AMAZON.COM-SIOC. Before and after the test, STC can provide detailed and professional technical guidance to help suppliers improve and enhance their products.


Introduction of Amazon Packaging Testing

Amazon is a member of the ISTA. The packaging system of the distribution system adopts the 6-AMAZON.COM-SIOC and 6-AMAZON.COM-OB test standards. The packaging and transportation tests are divided into three grades, and according to different types of products, there are 8 different test scenarios divided into Type A-H:


Level 1 - Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP)
Level 2 - Ships in its Own Container (SIOC)
Level 3 - Prep-Free Packaging (PFP)


  • Testing Standards: 6-AMAZON.COM-SIOC
  • Type: Applies to Amazon Distribution System package (SIOC: Ship in its Own Container)
  • Requirements: Climate treatment (optional), vertical pressure test, stability/ tilt test, random vibration (loading and no loading), impact, horizontal clamping test and forklift handling test


  • Testing Standards: 6-AMAZON.COM-OB
  • Type: Applies to Amazon Distribution System package (OB: Over Boxing)
  • Requirements: Climate treatment (optional), random vibration (loading and no loading) and impact 


The entrusting party can select the specific test TYPE according to the following instructions. It should be noted that the size of the product must achieve the minimum standard of SIOC test (9" x 6" x 0.375"). If the size is too small, it will be carried out based on AMAZON.COM-OVERBOXING:


Type A - Parcel Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products; < 50 lbs & Girth ≤ 165 inch
Type B - Parcel Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products; 50 - 100 lbs & Girth ≤ 165 inch
Type C - Parcel Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products; ≥ 100 lbs & Girth ≤ 165 inch
Type D - Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products; < 100 lbs & Girth > 165 inch
Type E - Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products; ≥ 100 lbs & Girth > 165 inch
Type F - Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products; N/A
Type G - TV/Monitor Parcel Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products; < 150 lbs & Girth ≤ 165 inch
Type H - TV/Monitor Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Delivery of Individual Packaged-Products; ≥ 150 lbs & Girth > 165 inch