Packaging certification needed for 2018 and later model year TVs on new-condition FBA offers

On January 17, 2018, Amazon implemented ISTA 6-Amazon.com-SIOC certification requirements for televisions to be eligible for listing as new-condition offers through Fulfillment by Amazon.

Televisions from the 2018 model year and later for specific vendors that meet the size criteria must have ISTA 6-Amazon.com-SIOC certified packaging to be eligible for listing as new-condition offers through FBA. Inventory that is not ISTA 6-Amazon.com-SIOC certified must be removed from Amazon fulfillment centers. Offers with non-certified inventory will be suppressed and subject to storage fees prior to removal.

This requirement applies to the following vendors:

• Hisense
• LG
• Samsung
• Sharp
• Sony
• TCL
• Vizio

ASINs must be ISTA 6-Amazon certified if they are:

• 2018 model and have a screen size of 40 inches or larger
• 2019 model and have a screen size of 32 inches or larger

The ISTA 6-Amazon.com-SIOC test is the official Amazon method of certifying SIOC (Ships in Own Container) items. Designed by Amazon and approved by the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), this test replicates the transit of packaging from vendors to Amazon fulfillment centers and then to buyers via parcel or less-than-truckload (LTL) outbound shipments. It tests the ability of both package and product to withstand handling and transportation hazards normally encountered throughout the fulfillment process. This ISTA document provides more information on 6-Amazon.com-SIOC.

The list of ASINs and names of 2018 and 2019 model year TVs have packaging that already has been certified by manufacturers; any ASIN in the table can be listed as a new-condition FBA offer.

The list will be updated as the packaging certification status for additional 2019 models becomes available. Amazon will update the list on an as-needed basis.

If you have an offering for a 2018 or 2019 ASIN that is not on this list, remove the items from fulfillment centers or follow the steps below to have its packaging tested and certified:

1. Download the appropriate test report template for the certification type you are seeking (Type G or H) from this link. Only use Type H if an ASIN’s girth (Length + 2x(width + height)) is greater than 165 inches.
2. Contact one of the following APASS labs for ISTA packaging certification of the desired ASIN:
   • Smithers Pira, 6539 Westland Way, Suite 24, Lansing, MI 48917

     Location	Contact Name	Email	Phone
     US - MI	Michael Kuebler	mkuebler@smithers.com	+1(517) 322-2400

   • International Paper Indianapolis Testing Lab, 8501 Moller RD, Indianapolis, IN 46268
   • International Paper Memphis Customer Commitment Center, 6165 E Holmes RD, Memphis, TN 38141

     Location	Contact Name	Email
     US	Karissa Ellis	ecommercelab@ipaper.com

   • Bureau Veritas, 100 Northpointe PKWY, Buffalo, NY 14228

     Location	Contact Name	Email	Phone
     US – Buffalo, NY	Mark Jagodzinski	Mark.Jagodzinski@us.bureauveritas.com	+1(716) 505-3551

3. Have the lab use the test report template downloaded in Step 1.
4. Obtain all necessary intake paperwork from the lab that you choose to work with and ensure that both the model number and ASIN are referenced on the intake paperwork. Note that each of the APASS labs are independent of Amazon and can have different lead times depending on the time of year.
5. Email sioc-fba-tvs@amazon.com with information on the ASIN, your merchant ID (MID), and the details of the APASS lab used. Amazon will be responsible for payment to the lab.
6. Upon receipt of the test results, send the test report to Amazon at sioc-fba-tvs@amazon.com for approval. Approval can take 1-3 weeks.
7. FBA inventory can be listed after you receive approval from Amazon.

Contact sioc-fba-tvs@amazon.com with any questions.