Help to reduce SIOC Chargebacks for Amazon Vendors

We have noticed that for the majority of our 1P Vendor customers that Chargebacks for SIOC (Shipping in Own Container / products received that have not been certified by Amazon’s Frustration-Free Certification Program) cause high costs. In many cases this is the second highest Chargeback type of cost incurred (typically behind PO On Time Accuracy)

These Chargebacks are often incurred for ASINs that were previously certified but whose certification has expired, which in many cases GOES UNNOTICED BY THE VENDOR but is easily remedied!

Where can I find out if my certification has expired?

When a vendor’s ASINs are decertified, it often goes unnoticed because the table with the FFP/SIOC ASIN certification portfolio is difficult to find within vendor central. To download it you must:

Open vendor central.
Click on “Reports” → “Operational Performance”.
Go on “Ship in Own Container”.
Click “Performance Tips” to show more information, click “US - Click here to download your FFP/SIOC ASIN certification portfolio”.
Now you get a zip folder with a CSV File for each vendor code.
In this file there is a column “decert_grace_period_end_date” and after this date, Chargebacks will be charged for this ASIN.

How to self-certify?

For certain products that continue to be shipped SIOC but have been decertified, there is now the option to self-certify them, although many vendors are still not aware of this until now.

You can Self-test and certify non-fragile, rigid product that weigh less than 50lbs and only need the following to do so:

Low chair
Marker
Tape Measure
Box knife
Tape
Camera
Computer
Table or wall to measure drop heights
Solid surface
The Amazon drop Test Form (https://assets.aboutamazon.com/1b/c8/c2c856184705b683f7f3f7af1aea/amazon-drop-test-evaluation-external-blank-210625.pdf)
The Amazon Vendor-Enrolment-Form (https://assets.aboutamazon.com/67/9e/0db84ce14608807901725cb37632/amazon-vendor-enrollment-template-3.xlsx)

After labeling the different areas of the product you want to certify, you just have to drop it from 2 different heights in a prescribed order and document it with the The Amazon drop Test Form mentioned above

For the exact procedure of the test and the drop test form, Amazon offers videos for explanation:

➔ video 1

https://assets.aboutamazon.com/24/08/115087074bbfa0e547746d69d28e/ffp-pie-vid1-210331-june2021.mp4

➔ video 2

https://assets.aboutamazon.com/86/53/ac7bbb534dc9ad65700f1bdef5db/ffp-pie-vid2-210310.mp4

For filling in the Vendor-Enrollment-Template there is also an explanation video:

https://assets.aboutamazon.com/df/70/ccf6dbea4e9da6103e62241e47c6/3p-avet-walkthrough-210412-1749.mp4

After completing the Amazon Drop Test Evaluation Form, this must be submitted together with the Vendor-Enrollment-Form in Vendor-Central

For this you click Support, followed by “Contact Us“.
Now select your business group and under “What can we help you with?“ you click “Amazon Packaging Certification”

Wählen Sie nun Ihre Geschäftsgruppe aus und klicken Sie unter "Womit können wir Ihnen helfen?" auf "Amazon Packaging Certification".

You can get more information on:

https://www.aboutamazon.com/packaging/get-started/enroll

There is also the opportunity for Flexible packaging self-certifications for padded mailers and bags → the complete guidelines can be found here:
https://assets.aboutamazon.com/2b/db/1fc14f8349018824ff0e554969f6/universal-flexible-sioc-guidelines-english-v02-20230302.docx

Einige Ausnahmen:

Some exceptions:
➢ There is an extra form for flexible packages:https://assets.aboutamazon.com/f8/db/b1e767624faa9bd4329e99544581/amazon-drop-test-evaluation-external-blank-220812-flexible.pdf

➢ Drop test as for rigid packaging, followed by dropping the Hazard Drop Box from a height of 36 inches three times with one edge on the packaging

For the exact procedure of the test and the drop test form, Amazon also offers videos for explanation for flexible packages:

➔ Video 1: https://assets.aboutamazon.com/d5/fe/3191f2f140529e677f7dc3d1f853/amazon-drop-test-flexible-220825.mp4

➔ Video 2: https://assets.aboutamazon.com/4f/02/6b7fd7094a1ba7ed83f70780812b/packaging-and-product-evaluation-flexible.mp4

Having troubles with certification

If you are experiencing difficulties with your certification, we offer to handle it on your behalf!
Simply send us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or reach out to your Baros sales representative.

If you are interested in our Baros Cloud service, schedule an online session with us.
We will explain how we can assist you in reducing your costs with Amazon.