Blog What is Amazon Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program?
Amazon’s SIPP program lets FBA sellers ship products in original packaging to cut fulfillment fees and boost profits without extra boxes or materials.
Starting January 15, 2026, Amazon will charge packaging fees ranging from $1.51 to $4.04 for bulky products that need extra packaging materials. This new fee structure makes the Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program a critical profit protection tool for FBA sellers.
SIPP replaced the old Ships in Own Container (SIOC) program with the same packaging standards but expanded benefits. The rebrand signals Amazon’s commitment to reducing packaging waste while helping sellers maintain healthier profit margins through fee discounts.
What is Amazon Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP)?
The Ships in Product Packaging program allows FBA sellers to ship products in their original packaging without Amazon adding extra boxes, bags, or protective materials. Your product arrives at the customer’s door exactly as you designed it.
Amazon uses machine learning to automatically identify products that can safely ship without additional packaging. However, sellers can also manually enroll products that meet the program’s requirements to guarantee participation and unlock fee benefits.
Key differences from the old SIOC program:
- Same packaging certification standards
- Expanded fee discount structure
- Available in seven markets: US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain
- Automatic enrollment through machine learning algorithms
The program works seamlessly with your existing FBA workflow. You still ship products to Amazon fulfillment centers the same way, but your packaging must meet specific durability and labeling requirements.
Benefits of using Ships in Product Packaging
The most immediate benefit is cold, hard cash savings on every unit shipped. SIPP-certified standard-size products receive fulfillment fee discounts between $0.04 and $1.32 per unit, depending on weight and product category.
As we mentioned in the intro, starting in 2026, non-SIPP bulky items face significant packaging fees. Small and large bulky products will incur fees from $1.51 to $4.04 based on dimensional weight. SIPP enrollment completely eliminates these charges.
Additional benefits include:
- Brand visibility: Your custom packaging becomes a marketing touchpoint
- Customer experience: Reduced packaging waste appeals to environmentally conscious buyers
- Operational simplicity: No packaging redesign needed for fulfillment center requirements
Your packaging becomes your billboard. Customers receive products in your branded packaging instead of plain Amazon boxes, creating opportunities for repeat purchases and brand recognition.
SIPP eligibility requirements and restrictions
Products must meet minimum size requirements of 6″ x 4″ x 0.375″ to accommodate shipping labels. This eliminates small items that can’t display proper barcoding during fulfillment processes.
Weight restrictions depend on the certification method. Products under 20 pounds that aren’t fragile can use self-certification. Heavier items or those containing liquids, sharp objects, or granules smaller than 1 inch require third-party lab testing through ISTA-6A certification.
Automatically excluded products:
- Dangerous goods (hazmat items)
- Extra-large products (already required to ship in original packaging)
- Items smaller than the minimum dimensions
- Products with flexible packaging exceeding size limits
Flexible packaging has stricter dimensional limits. In North America, poly bags can’t exceed 18″ x 14″ x 6″ and 7 pounds. European markets allow up to 45.5 x 34 x 23.5 cm and 11.02 pounds.
Products containing fragile materials like glass, ceramic, or liquids that could liquefy above 70°F need professional testing. The investment in lab certification often pays off quickly through fee savings on high-volume items.
How to enroll your products in the Ships in Product Packaging program
Access the SIPP enrollment portal through Seller Central to review eligible products. Amazon automatically groups similar products by size, weight, and packaging characteristics to reduce certification requirements.
Self-certification process:
- Products under 20 pounds
- Non-fragile items
- No liquids or sharp components
- No granules smaller than 1 inch in diameter
Test the largest or heaviest product in each group. If it passes durability requirements, all similar products in that group qualify for certification. This approach minimizes testing costs while maximizing enrolled inventory.
Third-party lab testing:
- Products exceeding weight limits
- Fragile or liquid-containing items
- Sharp or granular products
- ISTA-6A certification required
The first arrival date determines when discounts begin. Set this date to match when your SIPP-compliant inventory first reaches Amazon fulfillment centers. Discounts won’t apply to inventory received before this date, even after approval.
Product grouping strategy saves significant time and money. Instead of testing every variation individually, certify the primary product and include all similar SKUs under the same certification.
Will you enroll your products in the Ships in Product Packaging program?
The decision hinges on three factors: product volume, packaging durability, and profit margins. High-volume products with sturdy packaging deliver the fastest ROI on enrollment efforts.
SIPP makes sense when:
- Monthly unit sales exceed 100 pieces
- Current packaging can withstand shipping without damage
- Products fall within size and weight requirements
- Packaging costs are reasonable compared to fee savings
Skip SIPP when:
- Low-volume products with minimal fee impact
- Fragile items requiring expensive lab testing
- Products already shipping in Amazon packaging without issues
- Packaging redesign costs exceed potential savings
Tools like InventoryLab help streamline the FBA prep process for both regular and SIPP-enrolled products. The platform ensures proper labeling and documentation while tracking cost savings across your entire catalog.
Ready to optimize your FBA operations beyond just packaging programs? Try Seller 365 free for up to 14 days and get the complete toolkit used by successful sellers worldwide, including InventoryLab for streamlined FBA prep and shipping management.
