Contents
1. About these Guidelines: purpose; scope; and application
2. Types of packaging material
3. How to package products for delivery to Icyflame
4. Illustrating best practice: examples of good and bad packaging
5. Understanding and avoiding the common causes of bad packaging
6. What are the consequences of violation of these Guidelines?
7. Further information
1. About the Packaging Guidelines
1.1. Purpose The purpose of these Guidelines is to provide information to Icyflame’s sellers on packaging of products sold to buyers on the Icyflame marketplace.
1.2. Scope These Guidelines cover: the required packaging for different types of products; best practice packaging; and how to avoid bad packaging.
1.3. Application These Guidelines apply to packaging of all products sold to buyers on the Icyflame marketplace.
Packaging Guidelines | 2/10 2. Types of packaging material
2.1. Internal packaging materials Type Description Example Cardboard Flute Internal structure flute or channels provide resistance to avoid crushing and provides cushioning during handling and stowage. Corrugated sided flute is mainly used as interior packaging to separate and protect individual items. It is extremely flexible and can be shaped around the product to protect them from damage. It should be self-attached to the product, leaving the flat side visible outside. Plastic Bubble Excellent for irregular forms due to its versatility. It is very light, shock resistant, and recommended for very fragile items. Bubbles must be attached to the product, leaving the smooth
side outside. Polyfoam It is very similar to plastic bubble with same characteristics but having less resistance to sharp objects Paper Craft Serves to cover irregular surfaces, or thinly cover an area to avoid tears, and to hide valuable things from being visible thus decreasing the possibility of theft. It is recommended to wrap items with higher value, only if they are up to medium size and have a good container – an example is laptops. Paper Filler Suitable for stuffing within boxes. Paper is pressed between items, thus immobilizing the items. It is one of the most ecological and economic fillings. It is useful against impact and crushing damages. Crushed Styrofoam / Peanut Serves as stuffing within boxes, provides cushioning and immobilizes the items. It is more annoying for the customer to unpack this type of filler as the main problem is that upon impact peanuts tend to move. It is useful against crushing damages. Honeycom b It is a card with low weight, without loss of consistency, a uniform strength throughout the surface, an appearance more robust, and better design to achieve thick surface. It absorbs shocks more efficiently, thus providing great protection. Air Cushion Air cushion packaging is a dual material solution of a corrugated box and plastic film bag that is filled with air
2.2. External packaging materials Type Description
Example Packaging Guidelines | 3/10 Cartons The structure prevents impact on the product, and protects against crushing. The cartons can bundle two or more items and also protect fragile containers. The boxes have two types – paperboard is used for light items and corrugated for heavy items. Shrink Wrap
It is a plastic with high strength, elongation and adhesion which serves to hold in place packing material and put pressure on it. Though it does not protect against impact, but is very useful for maintaining two objects together and avoid wetting the product. The shrink wrap should be stretched by exerting pressure to fulfil its role. Bubble- filled Fliers It has barrier of air bubbles that makes it resistant to punctures, thus protecting delicate but ultralight items during shipments. It is recommended to preferably use it only as internal packing for lack of resistance to moisture. Icyflame Fliers Protect items from moisture, but low resistance from crushing and impact.
2.3. Closures and safety stickers Type Description Example Scotch Tape It is generally used for closing cartons. It easily loses its stickiness when it comes in contact with sunlight, moisture. Thus, it can be easily taken off and replaced without keeping any mark. Gorilla Tape It has a component which, upon contact with water, produces a reaction that becomes a powerful adhesive to close cardboard boxes. The gummed paper is made from craft paper and glue plant has the advantage of being biodegradable and fully recyclable. Besides, after application, it becomes inviolable as the part must be broken. It also increases the strength of the box. Fragile Sticker They are ideal for closed cardboard packages requiring special treatment such as fragile glass material. Heavy-item Sticker They are used to indicate the handling requirement of the item so that it should be lifted properly.
Packaging Guidelines | 4/10 3. How to package products for delivery to Icyflame
3.1. Packaging by product category The table below sets out the different types of packaging materials required to be used in packaging different types of products. Product category Product sub-category Type of packaging material Clothes & Apparel Men’s clothing, Women’s clothing Flier Underwear Swimsuits, underwear Flier Fashion Accessories Women’s accessories, Men’s accessories, Watches, Sunglasses Flier with Bubble wrap Footwear Men’s shoes, Women’s shoes Flier with Bubble wrap OR Flier over Manufacturer box OR Icyflame carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) Wallets & Purses Women’s accessories >Bags Formal bag, hand bags, clutches, sling bags Flier with Bubble wrap Bags Women’s accessories >Bags Formal bag, hand bags, clutches, sling bags Flier with Bubble wrap Jewelry Women’s accessories >Jewelry Flier with Bubble wrap Jewelry + Other items Women’s accessories >Jewelry Icyflame Carton with bubble wrap & Air fillers Fragrances Beauty & Perfumes >Men & Women’s perfumes Icyflame Carton with bubble wrap and fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) Books Books & Stationery >Books Flier Stationery Books & Stationery >Stationery Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) Baby Kids and Baby >Baby, Baby care & safety, Baby feeding, Baby toddler toys, Sleeping & Nursery Strollers Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) OR
Manufacturer carton with Shrink wrap Toys & games Kids & Baby >Baby, Car & remote- control toys, Dolls, puzzles, educative toys, crafts, Sports games, outdoor toys, Kids laptops & tablets, Bricks, blocks & buildings, Action toy figures Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) Phones Phones >Phones & accessories, Landline phones Flier with Bubble wrap Computers, laptops, tablets & components Computing >Laptops, desktops & Monitors, Printers & Scanners, External HD, Flash drives, Adapters, Batteries, Chargers, Software Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) OR Manufacturer carton with Shrink wrap Grocer’s shop Beverages, Tobacco, Food Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) OR Manufacturer carton with Shrink wrap Musical instruments TV, Audio & Video, Musical instruments, Guitars, Drums & Percussion, Live & studio, Pianos Manufacturer package with Bubble wrap and Shrink wrap Kitchen & dining Home >Kitchen & Dining, Kitchen tool & accessories, Kitchen storage, Table linen Icyflame Carton with (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) OR Packaging Guidelines | 5/10 & Accessories, Table ware Manufacturer with Shrink Wrap Kitchen & dining Cookware, Bakeware Manufacturer package with
Shrink Wrap Kitchen & dining Cooking knives Icyflame Carton with bubble wrap and (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) Large appliances & electronics Appliances >Washing machines, Dryers, Fridges & Freezers, Wine & Bar, Dishwasher, Air conditioning, Heaters, Hot water systems Manufacturer package with Shrink Wrap Small appliances & electronics Appliances >Small Appliances, Mixers & Blenders, Cookers & Toasters, Ironing & Laundry, Vacuum cleaner, Floorcare Manufacturer package with Shrink Wrap or Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) Bedding & Bathroom Home >Bedding, Bathroom, Bedlinen, bedding accessories, Pillow, Towel, mat & robe Flier Bedding & Bathroom Shower accessories, Bathroom storage Icyflame Carton with bubble wrap and fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) Decor Home >Home Decor, Decorative pillow, Wall art, Curtains, blinds & shades Manufacturer package with Bubble wrap Or Shrink wrap Decor Mirror, wall art, clock Icyflame Carton with bubble wrap and fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam)
Lighting Home >Lighting, Decorative ceiling light, lamp, lampshade, bathroom light, bulbs Icyflame Carton with bubble wrap and fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) Furniture Home >Furniture, Bedroom & Living room, furniture, Kitchen & dining furniture, Office furniture & Game, room furniture Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) OR Manufacturer package with Shrink wrap Home fixture Home >Home fixture, Door hardware, Safety & Security, Toilet & Toilet fixtures, Electrical fixtures, Laundry fixtures Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) OR Manufacturer package with Shrink wrap Pets Home >Pets, Pet food, Pet accessories & toys, Pet care Flier OR Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) Games, consoles, CD, DVD Games & Console >Home & portable consoles, PlayStation & Xbox, Board & card games, Gaming accessories Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) Sports equipment & accessories Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) OR Manufacturer with Shrink wrap Motor vehicle
accessories Automotive & Motorcycle >Oils, fluids & spray, Car fresheners & electronics, Station equipment, Batteries for Car, Car lights & accessories, Car stickers, Tyres & wheelers Icyflame Carton with fillers (Air cushion, Paper, Styrofoam) OR Manufacturer package with Shrink wrap 3.2. Illustration of packaging required by product category Packaging Guidelines | 6/10 Packaging Guidelines | 7/10 3.3. General Dos and Don’ts DO pack small and fragile items in bubble envelopes and protect them with soft cushioning around each item; use cardboard dividers between flat, fragile material such as glass bottles; ensure that goods face the right way, as some fragile goods must be kept upright; use cushioning materials to stabilise items in a box; each item should be surrounded by at least 5cm of cushioning; ensue that fragile stickers are applied on all sides of a package; remove all labels and stickers when reusing a box and ensure that the box is not worn out; ensure that packages are easy to open and reuse for returned items; use cardboard edge protectors to protect the edges and corners of large, bulky or heavy items; and use an arrow to indicate if an item (especially in heavy, large, bulky or heavy items) must be loaded on one side only. DO NOT consider “fragile” and “handle with care” labels as a substitute for careful packaging use bags made of fabric or cloth; use substandard or damaged cartons; allow space for contents to move within the packed box or flier; allow fragile items inside a package to contact each other; or overload a box with more weight than it can handle.
3.4. Rules for special categories Large items must be packaged by:
protecting edges and corners with cardboard edge protectors; only ever using strapping with edge protector; using strapping or strong tape to seal and secure the box; always using an arrow to indicate if an item must be loaded on one side only; and/or placing the package on a pallet if necessary. Batteries and battery-operated products must: be protected by removing batteries from products and packaging separately; and only supplied as dry batteries (e.g. AA or AAA batteries) in good condition and in original sealed packaging. Bicycles must be packaged by: disassembling wheels and pedals; using bubble wrap to protect pedals; securing wheels with thick bubble wrap and placing cardboard between them to prevent friction and damage; using thick bubble wrap to pack the bicycle frame; placing all components in a strong cardboard box; and using internal packaging or polystyrene foam to stabilise the contents so the bicycle does not move during handling and transport. Books must be packaged by: Packaging Guidelines | 8/10 wrapping heavy/hardback books in multiple layers of bubble wrap and sealing with sellotape; and stacking in a cardboard box using appropriate cushioning material (cardboard is fine) to ensure that there is no space and movement between items. Ceramics must be packaged by: wrapping of each individual item, separately, in at least two layers of thick bubble wrap; placing each individually wrapped item in its own, separate, cardboard container; wrapping smaller boxed items again with bubble wrap and sealing with sellotape and placing into a larger, strong outer cardboard box filled with appropriate dunnage (air cushion or polystyrene chips) to eliminate movement; closing the outer container with multiple layers of strong tape; and placing a “fragile” label on all sides of the outer package. Cutlery and sharp objects must be packaged by: covering sharp edges with cardboard; packing in a thick box; and packing in a further outer package with multiple layers of strong tape.
3.5. Quality health and safety
The guidelines in this section 3 represent best practice in respect of packaging of the categories of products identified. Particular products may however have additional/alternative packaging requirements, and Icyflame expects sellers to exercise good judgment and apply best practice quality, health and safety principles to maintain the quality of packaging (and enclosed products).
Packaging Guidelines | 9/10 4. Illustrating best practice: examples of good and bad packaging
4.1. Visual of good packaging 4.2. Visual of bad packaging
Packaging Guidelines | 10/10
5. Understanding and avoiding the common causes of bad packaging Sellers are required to test their packaging materials, storage and transportation, to ensure that they avoid the common causes of damage to products and packaging described in the table below.
Type Description Image Impact Occurs due to mishandling during transportation and handling of the product. Flattenin g Occurs when a product is subject to more weight than it can endure. It can be due to a bad stowage or piling other heaving objects on the packaging. Humidity Occurs when the product comes into contact with or other liquid or moisture, often resulting in fungi growth and weakening the strength of the packaging. Improper packing Occurs when staples, shafts, etc. damage the box rather than help protect it.
6. What are the consequences of violation of these Guidelines?
Failure to comply with these Guidelines may result in Icyflame taking one or more of the following actions:
● refusing receipt of the products;
● returning the products to the seller;
● repacking the products and invoicing the seller for the same; and/or
● applying a financial penalty as provided for by the Seller Penalty Policy.
7. Further information
If you are a seller and you have any questions about this Policy, please raise contact our Seller Support Team.