Amazon SIOC: Reduce Packaging Waste and Additional Charges Through FBA

Amazon, the e-commerce giant, has recently announced its plans to incentivize merchants who sell through FBA to prepare their products to be shipped in their own container, or "SIOC" for short.

This is an alternative to the requirement for Amazon to overbox products that aren't prepared to ship on their. This innovative approach allows Amazon customers to decide whether they want their order to be packaged with extra packaging or not during the checkout process.

Amazon's decision to deliver products without additional packaging is driven by the need to maintain dominance in the market, reduce costs, and contribute to environmental sustainability. In recent years, the issue of excessive packaging has gained significant attention due to its negative impact on the environment.

Companies across various industries have been exploring ways to reduce packaging waste and promote sustainability. By eliminating or reducing packaging, Amazon can streamline its logistics network, ensure faster deliveries, and minimize its carbon footprint. In 2022, approximately 11% of the products delivered by Amazon were already sent without any additional packaging.

The concept of eliminating the Amazon box, especially when excessive packaging is involved, may seem appealing due to its potential benefits. Especially to customers who have grown tired of having to throw away endless boxes. However, it is crucial to consider the potential problems that could arise if the Amazon box is not utilized.

Manufacturer packaging plays a vital role in clearly identifying the contents inside, and without the protective Amazon box, this visibility could attract thieves. (Or give away the surprise of this year’s Christmas gifts!). As many of us know, the neutral Amazon box has proven to be an effective deterrent against porch pirates in the past, due to it ensuring its contents remain anonymous. However, with the new “ship in own container” plan, valuable products will be put on display and at risk of theft.

Therefore it is essential to acknowledge the potential risks associated with the visibility of products. This updated approach should encourage participating merchants to make an update to plain outer packaging rather than content identifying packaging, and recipients to provide some form of place for delivery to hide the packaging out of sight.

The main puzzle many vendors run into when looking to enhance their packaging methods is trying to eliminate unnecessary layers of packaging and contributing to a more sustainable shipping experience, while ensuring that products can withstand the shipping process and arrive at customers' homes in optimal condition.

To reduce packaging and protect their products many will opt for filler materials, unaware that expenses can rapidly accumulate when utilizing bubble wrap and packing peanuts. These items not only come with a hefty price tag, but they also require the use of larger boxes to accommodate both the products and the necessary amount of bubble wrap or packing peanuts for adequate protection. Leaving you with a package that exceeds the optimal size and weight, resulting in higher shipping costs.

To save you time, money, stress, and the planet… At Flush, we do packaging a bit differently than most. All of our shipping boxes are designed to safely ship without the need for filler materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts. Each shipping box is designed around specific vessel dimensions to hold the vessel securely while shipping. So long as you're using the vessel sizing that the box is created for, they'll save you considerable fulfillment time and dramatically lessen the likelihood of breakage while shipping!

Interested in creating your very own Amazon SIOC packaging? Contact us about our custom packaging services. We believe in maximizing product protection and packing efficiency while minimizing waste - allowing e-commerce brands to grow and scale. Our priority is developing packaging that reflects well on you, your customer, and the environment.