Amazon Package Testing Type E is for less than truckload (LTL) of individually-packaged products that are 100 pounds (45 kg) or greater or have a girth greater than 165 inches (4.19 m). The standard handling shipping method is used for these products. The standard handling method, also referenced as floor loaded, is for individual packaged-products that are received at an Amazon.com Fulfillment Center with no pallet or with multiple packaged products on a single pallet and are intended to ship to the end consumer without a pallet.
Type E products qualify for Amazon SIOC status and are tested based on the ISTA 6 SIOC
Type E test sequence outlined in the chart below.
The purpose of Type E testing program is to evaluate the protective performance of packaging for goods. The package will undergo testing related to vibrations, shocks, and other stresses that packages normally encounter throughout transportation to the customer.
During testing, the product and package are considered together as one unit and tested accordingly. Not all shipping conditions can be imitated and tested with Type E alone. For example, this does not test for any irregular handling.
Type E testing is specific to Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) delivery for standard packaged-products. Both elongated and flat packaged-products are included in this category. All packages that qualify for this test type are not palletized or skidded.
Since these packages are considerably large in size and weight, it is important to know how to properly measure a package. For Amazon SIOC Packaging Test Type E, the package must be greater than or equal to 100 pounds and have a girth greater than 165 inches. Our lab technicians will assist customers through the quote process to ensure that they are going to have the correct test type for the package.
It is important to have packages of this size tested to reduce damage to the product during shipping. That is one of the benefits that Amazon and ISTA have identified. Reduction in damage to products has many implications that benefit the vendor by saving time and money. When there is less damage there will be fewer returns. This eliminates the cost of a return and replacement process. Additionally, reduced damage ultimately leads to higher customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction will lead to more sales and return customers. Other benefits of package testing include avoiding chargebacks and prep-fees, reducing package waste, and balanced distribution costs.
The Basics of Amazon Type E Testing:
Testing Timeline
Request a quote from Keystone’s package testing engineers. Keystone will review your request and the current standards to provide an accurate quote. Once the quote is approved, Keystone technicians will be in contact to ensure that samples remain compliant throughout the process.
See How to Submit a Sample for specific instructions. The product will undergo testing in accordance with the Testing Type requirements. After testing is completed, the vendor will receive an Amazon standard lab report that is to be submitted to Amazon for package testing certification.
Pass/Fail Guidelines
This is a pass/fail test. Pass/fail standards will be determined prior to testing by the shipper, manufacturer, Amazon.com, and other stakeholders. They must determine the following:
- What constitutes damage to the product
- What damage tolerance level, if any, is allowable
- The correct methodology to determine product condition at the end of testing
- The acceptable package condition at the end of testing
Recertification is Required When:
- There are any changes to packaging
- There are changes to product design
- Amazon observes damage during shipment to the customer
Keystone Package Testing, an Amazon Package Certification Lab, provides vendors with the testing to certify their products to receive the benefits of Amazon’s SIOC status. With significant package testing knowledge, globally-recognized accreditation, short lead times and affordable prices, Keystone Package Testing is the best Amazon transit testing lab partner.
| Sequence Number | Test Category | Test Type | Test Level | Remarks |
| 1 | Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1 |
Temperature and Humidity | Lab ambient, 12 hours | Required |
| 2 | Atmospheric Conditioning TEST BLOCK 1 |
Controlled Temperature and Humidity | Temperature and humidity chosen from table | Optional |
| 3 | Shock TEST BLOCK 3 |
Tip/Tip Over | Use a 22 degree tip angle | Required for packages ≥48 in. (1.2 m) tall and any one base dimension < ½ the height; or for packages ≥ 30 in. (760 mm) tall and with a center of gravity vertical location > ½ the package height |
| 4 | Shock TEST BLOCK 5 |
Rotational FLAT Drop | 9 in (230 mm) | Required |
| 5 | Shock TEST BLOCK 6 |
Rotational EDGE Drop | 9 in (230 mm) | Required |
| 6 | Shock TEST BLOCK 8 |
Inclined or Horizontal Impact | 48 in/sec (4 ft/sec) (1.2 m/sec) impact velocity or velocity change | Required |
| 7 | Compression, Vertical TEST BLOCK 9 |
Test in the intended shipping orientation or most stable orientation | Calculated from formula, Maintain force for 1 hour | Required, Machine, or weights and load spreader |
| 8 | Compression, Horizontal TEST BLOCK 10 |
Clamping Simulation | Calculated from formula, Clamp in multiple orientations as directed | Required, For any of the 2 axes with a width dimension ≥ 24 in (610mm) and < 75 in (1905 mm) |
| 9 | Vertical Vibration TEST BLOCK 13 |
Random With Top Load | Overall Grms level of 0.54 | Required |
| 10 | Shock TEST BLOCK 20 |
Inclined or Horizontal Impact | 48 in/sec (4 ft/sec) (1.2 m/sec) impacts or 3 in. (76 mm) drops | Required |
| 11 | Shock TEST BLOCK 23 |
Bridge Impact | Hazard Box dropped 16 in (400 mm) | Required for Elongated Packages Only |
| 12 | Shock TEST BLOCK 24 |
Concentrated Edge Impact | Hazard Box dropped 16 in (400 mm) | Required for Flat Packages Only |
You are still reading? Don’t drop the ball. Let Keystone drop your package so that you can receive the benefits of Amazon SIOC certification! Get a quote to get started.