What is it and How Does it Work?
If you think frustration-free packaging sounds pretty great, you're correct! But what is it really? Frustration-free packaging is made of 100% recyclable materials. It’s easy to open, and it’s designed to ship products in their original packaging, which eliminates the need for an additional shipping box.
Read on to find out why your company should give frustration-free packaging a try!
The 411 on Frustration-Free Packaging
Since 2019, Amazon has taken a new step towards efficiency and sustainability through its frustration-free packaging program. Since the implementation of this new program, the companies that distribute through Amazon have had to adapt to it by following the protocols established by the company.
Frustration-free packaging is packaging that has passed tests established by Amazon for sellers and distributors. The program is a new protocol established by the e-commerce giant in hopes to keep packaging material to a minimum, to ensure that loads continue to arrive at their destination safe and sound, and to eliminate the occasional package opening difficulties that the end user experiences.
This particular packaging has the ability to become one of the trends that will mark the future of packaging, which means it’s extremely beneficial for sellers to hop on board.
Benefits
There are many benefits to Amazon’s frustration-free packaging:
Eliminating the additional costs related to packaging chargebacks. Certifying a package as frustration-free packaging means that the product’s packaging is ready to move through Amazon’s distribution system. Therefore, these penalties do not exist.
Reducing packaging costs. It is an opportunity to test and optimize a product’s packaging, avoiding unnecessary packaging and saving costs.
Reducing transportation costs. Since the packaging will be leaner and optimized, it will have an ideal size for shipping, thereby making it possible to ship products at a lower cost.
The possibility of generating more satisfied customers and a greater product protection.
I’m in! What now?
There are three necessary steps to certify your packaging in Amazon’s program, which is described in Amazon’s Frequently Asked Questions-Vendor Packaging Incentive document: design, certify, and enroll.
Companies must first design their packaging in compliance with the Amazon packaging certification guidelines.
Next, the business must Certify the items with Amazon, which requires the packaging to pass a physical performance test. Amazon has partnered with the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) to develop comprehensive test methods that accurately simulate the journey of a package through the Amazon fulfillment network. To further simplify the testing process, Amazon now allows businesses to take an online training course to complete the self-testing drop sequence for non-fragile products that weigh less than 50lbs, and then submit the results to Amazon for validation.
Last, after packaging has been certified, companies must enroll their packaging with Amazon.
Not sure where to get started with your product’s frustration-free packaging design? GCB Solutions can help. Contact our team today at (904) 263-2804 or schedule a free consultation to get started today.