Your outie has no idea what SOIC means

Are you ready, refiners? 💧

👋 Salutations loyal Vendorvillians,

What if work-life balance went way too far? If you haven't watched Apple TV’s hit, Severance, you’re missing out on a whole other world.

We hope you enjoy this Vendorville installment as much as always, but if you’re new here, feel free to review past editions on SupplierWiki.

See if you can spot every Severance reference, to prove your allegiance to Lumon. The answer is at the end of this email.

What is SIOC?

This mysterious but important acronym means “Ship In Own Container”.

Simply put, e-commerce shipping practices are evolving. In some cases, when the item’s container is sturdy enough, it can suffice as a shipping container, saving costs and materials.

Some other benefits include:

💠 Products arrive undamaged – The whole point of packaging in the first place.

💠 Compliance – Some retailers have requirements in their packaging guides for SIOC.

💠 Good for the planet (and your wallet) – The cost of repackaging is eliminated, so it saves more trees. Praise Kier!

🌐 Hooray! You’ve completed 25% of the file Vendorville. Here’s a helpful resource covering SIOC changes.

Me when we only have 50 chargebacks instead of the usual 500.

The SIPP Program: A Fancy Way to Say ‘Ship It Right’

At Amazon, understanding how to utilize Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP) and Ships in Own Container (SIOC) protocols is vital to the success of suppliers.

SIOC and FFP have had a corporate rebrand into yet another acronym. Meet the Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program, Amazon’s way of saying, "Please stop sending us a Russian nesting doll situation of cardboard and bubble wrap.”

Certifying all products in the program is not required, but it’s preferred as SIPP has the potential to reduce packaging and provide better customer delivery.

Get your products SIPP-certified under Tier 1 (Frustration-Free Packaging) or Tier 2 (Ships in Own Container). Here’s what type of products need to be certified:

✅ Products over 18 x 14 x 8 inches or 20 lbs

✅ Items that aren’t in Amazon Fresh, Prime Pantry, or classified as Hazmat

✅ Items that aren’t ridiculously tiny (think: smallest side under 0.375 inches)

🌐 Hang in there! You’ve refined 45% of this email. Here’s a packaging 101 for all retailers.

The Price of Not SIPP-ing

Starting January 1, 2025, packages that are not SIPP-certified will incur chargebacks that range from $1.80 to $4.40 per unit, based on weight:

Under 10 lbs: $1.80
10 to <20 lbs: $2.40
20 to <30 lbs: $3.20
30 to <50 lbs: $4.40
50 lbs or more? You’re off the hook.

Not sure if you’re about to be fined into oblivion? Check your Product Prep and Packaging Dashboard to see chargeback-eligible ASINs and get ahead of the game.

Got Hit with a Chargeback? Fight Back!

When it comes to packaging compliance, you must eradicate childish folly from your essence. The first step is prevention. The second is disputing.

💠 Enroll and certify your ASINs. This requires testing your packaging and filling out the Amazon Vendor enrollment form.

💠 Check your Product Prep and Packaging Dashboard to see chargeback-eligible ASINs and get ahead of the game. Here’s the user guide made by Amazon.

💠 If Amazon hits you with a chargeback, dispute it. Depending on the issue, you’ll need to submit documentation proving your packaging meets size/weight requirements, certification status, or exemption rules. Here’s a couple of examples Amazon lists for disputing these chargebacks.

ASIN dimensional or weight dispute: Include a copy of the email and case ID from Amazon Selling Partner Support confirming that a re-measurement of your ASIN was completed and that your product does not currently fall within the dimensional or weight thresholds for this chargeback.
ASIN certification status dispute: Include your completed ISTA 6-Amazon.com packaging test report, your completed Amazon ASIN enrollment template, and the official correspondence (email or case ID) confirming your successful Amazon packaging certification.
ASIN exclusions for nested or interlocking items: Provide a picture of your inbound freight package orientation and open a Contact Us case by selecting Amazon packaging certification, then Other packaging certification questions.

The Corporate-Speak Fine Print (But Make It Fun)

Keeping up with packaging rules is like memorizing Kier’s Compliance Handbook at macrodata and its three Appendices, only the Irving’s of the group are going to take it to heart. Fret not, we have the TL;DR of Amazon Packaging guidelines right here:

Design packaging that doesn’t require Amazon to add extra materials.
Get your packaging tested. Self-test if it’s non-fragile and under 50 lbs, or use a third-party ISTA-certified lab for everything else.
Submit your certification forms to Vendor Central and keep an eye out for approval.
Label correctly. Cartons need a scannable barcode, individual items need an item label, and sets need a "Sold as Set" label. Amazon loves a good label.

If you don’t comply, expect chargebacks faster than you can say, "The Music Dance Experience Is Officially Cancelled." 🕺

Remember, SIPP isn’t just about avoiding chargebacks—it’s about shipping smarter, reducing waste, keeping customers happy, and earning yourself a Waffle party! 🧇

Retailer News 🗞️

Bloomberg
Walmart Asks Chinese Suppliers for Major Price Cuts on Trump Tariffs

TheStreet
After Chapter 11 bankruptcy, beloved retailer closing all stores

CNBC
Why foreign retailers like Primark and Mango are expanding across the U.S.

⭐ Rick’s Tips ⭐

“Have you heard of “Scan ‘n Fax” with Walmart? This new(ish) program allows carriers to opt in, where Walmart stamps can be sent to carriers after the product is received. This allows suppliers to access these documents through the carrier's portal rather than only having access to the drop trailer stamp.”

Let’s Circle Back 🌀

From: The Desk of Harmony Cobel Seth Milchick

HARMONY ON THE SEVERED FLOOR

Esteemed Colleagues,

A hearty Salve to each of you who diligently pursue the work. This week, our Severed Floor has been abuzz with refinements and rewards as we celebrate the latest glimpses of Lumon’s brilliance beyond our walls.

🎵 A rapturous melody—our unofficial Hymn of the Quarter—has surfaced: Music to Refine To

🖼️ A stirring visual communiqué, undoubtedly Eagan-approved, has made its way to the outside world: Art in Severance

🌅 Insightful literature, reminding us why the Work is paramount and why we would never dream of asking what it is we do here: The You You Are by Dr. Ricken Lazlo Hale, PhD on Apple Books

Remember, your continued commitment to being of service is noted and appreciated. Should you find additional Lumon-adjacent inspirations, submit them via the appropriate channels.

Note to Milchick — remove the 📄The Lexington Letter. This is for the board’s eye’s only.

In Kier,
SupplierWiki

💙 did you find all 11 references? If not, you may need to visit the break room…