What is Amazon Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) and How Can Amazon FBA Sellers Use It?

Efficiency in ecommerce packaging and shipping is a necessary component of success. If your packaging is too big, it will cost you more money to store and fulfill those orders. If your packaging is too fragile, it will need additional packaging and materials to ensure its safe arrival. 

But, if your packaging is just right, it may be eligible to ship in its own packaging. The Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program, previously known as Ships in Own Container (SIOC), offers FBA sellers an opportunity to ship products to customers in their own custom-brand packaging.

In this article, we’ll explore what the SIPP program is, how it works, and how you can apply and qualify for the program. 

What is the Amazon Ships in Product Packaging program?

Ships in Product Packaging, or SIPP, is a fulfillment strategy where products are shipped to customers in their original packaging. This means that the external product box itself has shipping labels attached and is used as the shipping box instead of being packed in Amazon-branded materials. 

Amazon introduced this FBA shipping program as part of its broader sustainability goals to reduce packaging waste and simplify logistics. Plus, sellers can save money on fulfillment costs. 

How Amazon SIPP Works

When a product is ordered, it is retrieved from the Amazon warehouse, where it is stored in its original packaging. Instead of placing this box inside another box, Amazon attaches a shipping label directly to it. 

This method is particularly common for items that come in sturdy, retail-ready packaging that can withstand the rigors of shipping without additional protection.

Benefits of using Ships in Product Packaging 

There are many benefits of using the SIPP program with your Amazon FBA products. Let’s go over a few.

1. Lower fulfillment fees. Products that are certified SIPP, will receive reduced FBA fulfillment fees on each certified unit shipped.
2. More sustainable. A big benefit of SIPP is its positive impact on the environment. By eliminating the need for additional shipping boxes, Amazon reduces the amount of cardboard used and it decreases the volume of packaging waste that consumers need to dispose of.
3. Cost efficiency. Reducing packaging materials not only benefits the environment but also helps in cutting down costs associated with extra packaging and the labor involved in packing products.
4. Improved customer experience. SIPP can lead to a more straightforward unpacking experience for customers, who no longer need to deal with excessive packaging materials. This streamlined process is particularly appreciated during high-volume periods like the holidays, making disposing of packaging easier for customers.
5. Increase brand awareness. This is a great opportunity for Amazon sellers to customize their branding and product packaging. Make your brand and packaging recognizable. 

How to enroll your derivatives in the Ships in Product Packaging program

Your first step is to ensure that your product packaging meets Amazon’s Ships in Product Packaging Certification guidelines.

Amazon has both flexible and rigid packaging requirements.

Flexible packaging requirements

This falls under packaging such as bags.

• Minimum packaging dimensions: 6”L x 4”W x 0.375”H
• Maximum packaging dimensions: 18”L x 14”W x 6”H
• 7 lbs or less
• Less than 2” of slack
• For bags, material thickness must be greater than or equal to 2 mils (0.05 mm)
• It is recommended that you package in a way the obscures the contents inside for improved customer experience

Flexible packaging exclusions:

• Dangerous goods or magnets
• Protrusions such as hangers, handles, knots, cutouts, strings
• Small products with less than 1 inch diameter
• Liquid items in a pouch
• Food items

Rigid packaging requirements

This falls under packaging such as rigid six sided boxes, not cylindrical or spherical. 

• Minimum packaging dimensions: 6”L x 4”W x 0.375”H
• No maximum dimensions
• No max weight limit
• The package must limit movement of the product inside

Rigid packaging exclusions:

• Dangerous goods
• Items with windows or cutouts that aren’t hand holes
• Perforations that aren’t apart of the package construction 

Test and evaluate your products

Your next step would be to test and evaluate the products according to the SIPP requirements. All products must pass a physical performance test through a self-drop test or International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) 6 lab test.

Self-test: Applicable if product is non-fragile, and does not contain liquids or sharp items, and is not granular with a diameter <1”

ISTA 6 Lab Test: If your product is fragile, OR contains sharp items, OR contains liquids, you cannot self-test. You will need to submit an ISTA-6A lab report from an ISTA-6 lab in Amazon’s APASS network for certification

(Source: Amazon)

Learn how to self-test your products here. 

After completing the self-test, it is time to evaluate your packaging for any damage. 

If your product/packaging has visible damage or breakage, loss of functionality, or compromised seal or tape, your item does not qualify for the SIPP program. 

Then, would your customers accept any noticeable signs of damage or wear that weren’t mentioned above? If the answer is no, then your item does not qualify. 

Be very honest with yourself during this test. If your product or packaging is damaged in any way, don’t think that it is a pass just because you want to enroll in the program. Think about how your customers will receive your product. 

Amazon then requires you to upload before and after images of the test. 

Enroll in the SIPP program

Your last step is to enroll in the program in Seller Central. This is where you will upload your photos of the self-test. 

Amazon will also show you the photo requirements in this step. Lastly, you’ll choose your first arrival date for the product group.

Now, you are enrolled in the Ships in Product Packaging program!

Will you enroll your products in the Ships in Product Packaging program?

We hope this article gave you a better understanding of what the Ships in Product Packaging program is, how it works, and how to enroll. 

Do you have other questions about the program? Let us know in the comments.