How Merchants Get Certified For Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP)

Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) is an Amazon packaging program that allows eligible, certified products to ship in their own product packaging without additional Amazon overboxing. Certification is an approval process sellers pursue when their retail packaging is sufficient for safe transport and customer delivery.

Steps To Apply For SIPP Certification

• Preparation: Review Amazon's packaging requirements and ensure retail cartons have a consistent barcode placement, tamper-evident seals, and robust box construction.
• Documentation: Gather packaging specifications, supplier packaging test reports (drop, compression, vibration), and photographs showing barcode locations and seals.
• Application: Use the Amazon packaging or Seller Central workflow to request SIPP for specific ASINs or SKUs. Attach documentation and sample photos as required.
• Sample Submission: If Amazon requests samples, send the exact SKU in its retail packaging following their sample submission instructions.

What Amazon Reviews During Certification

Amazon evaluates whether the retail packaging can withstand distribution hazards and still present a safe, labeled unit to the customer. Review points include package strength (crush resistance and corner impact), seal integrity, barcodes and FNSKU visibility, cosmetics and branding rules, and whether the package contains any items that could leak or shift.

Testing And Evidence Sellers Should Provide

• Drop Test Results: Records showing that packages endure drops from standard heights without product damage.
• Compression Test Data: Evidence that the packaging tolerates stacking loads typical in palletized freight.
• Containment Proof: For liquids or powders, photos and test data proving no leakage during simulated transit.
• Labeling Sample: Images showing where a seller will place the Amazon label without covering warnings or barcodes.

Common Reasons For Rejection

Applications fail for several common reasons: inconsistent barcode placement that hampers scanning, insufficiently sealed packaging that could be tampered with during transit, detectable risk of leakage, packaging that readily tears or punctures, or retail boxes with loose internal contents.

Post-Approval Requirements

• Ongoing Quality Checks: Amazon may audit SIPP-approved SKUs. Maintain quality control to ensure packaging hasn’t changed at the factory.
• Labeling Compliance: Apply FNSKU or Amazon labels in the approved location; labels that obscure safety info or damage product packaging can void approval.
• Change Control: If packaging design changes (material, closure, inner inserts), re-submit for review before sending new inventory to Amazon.

Warehouse Procedures After Approval

Implement WMS flags so inbound and pick-pack lines treat SIPP SKUs differently. Train staff to inspect inbound cartons for factory seals and correct barcodes; reject or rework shipments that show tampering or packaging variation. Set up a rework lane for units failing inspection so they can be overboxed and returned to inventory without delaying orders.

Practical Example: Certification To Go Live

A beauty brand seeks SIPP for boxed skincare kits. They compile packaging spec sheets, third-party drop-test reports, and photos showing UPC placement. After submitting via Seller Central and sending requested samples, Amazon approves the ASIN. The brand updates its fulfillment labels procedure and instructs its 3PL to ship only certified packaging. Warehouse staff add an inbound QC step: any kit with a compromised seal is reboxed before entering FBA inventory.

Tips To Speed Approval

• Standardize Packaging: Use the same box design and barcode placement across batches to avoid surprises during inspection.
• Document Tests: Keep readily available PDF reports from packaging vendors showing drop/compression test results.
• Communicate With 3PLs: Ensure your warehousing partners understand SIPP labeling rules and maintain inbound QC to avoid non-compliant shipments.
• Monitor Metrics: Track damage and return rates closely; if they rise after SIPP adoption, be ready to revert to overboxing.

In short, the Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) certification process requires preparation, testing, and ongoing controls: sellers must demonstrate that retail packaging protects the product for distribution, maintain consistent packaging, and follow Amazon’s labeling and quality rules to keep SIPP approval active.