Updated 4/11/2025
Failure to follow carton weight, size, or corrugated requirements may result in lost or damaged merchandise, delays, or additional charges.
Base Product Packaging for base products must meet our standard guidelines.
If base products are not stored inside cases, they cannot be exposed in their display packaging. If there is an opening that shows the contents of the package, it should optimally be shielded by clear plastic. This is necessary because while warehouses are clean environments, cardboard packaging breaks down during transit and creates "box dust' that settle on individual products. Protecting them from exposure means a better experience for your customer. Shirts and other apparel should be packaged inside plastic bags, with cases being used for packaging individual units.
When placing inner packs inside a master case/carton, you must select a cardboard case/carton that is sturdy enough to withstand normal handling in our warehouse. Inner packs should not easily break or tear apart. Remember: all inner packs must be labeled based on the guidelines in the Receiving Guidelines so review that along with packaging best practices to ensure a positive customer experience.
Sealing tape must be at least 2 inches wide and used on all open sides to properly seal cartons. Do not use tape or band two cartons together to make a case pack. All cases should be in their own individual cartons and/or plastic bags.
Cases, and other packaging, must completely protect your product from damage during its journey to us and during our receiving process. Remember: all master cases must be labeled based on the guidelines in the Receiving Guidelines.
US CBP and US FDA have specific requirements around the type of pallet used for shipping. Typically, hardwood or plastic pallets meet these standards. Softwood pallets must be fumigated and you, or your customs broker, must provide us a certificate proving the fumigation.
A packing list is required for all shipments sent to Swiftgistics.
You are responsible for ensuring that merchandise is sufficiently protected from damage during transit and delivery to Swiftgistics. This requires shipping cartons that are safely packed for shipment.
4-foot drop test
Products, or packaged products, that can be damaged by ordinary handling or extended storage must pass our 4-foot drop test onto a hard surface without the product breaking. Passing this test proves that your products can withstand routine impacts during handling and shipping. A typical drop test consists of five drops:
If your packaging passes these tests, we can safely ship your products. In addition to our 4-ft drop test, your packaged product must be able to withstand a full minute of vigorous shaking without any product damage.
These guidelines should be followed for plastic bags that used as protection during shipment, and removed when the product is received in our warehouse. These requirements do not apply to plastic bags used as display packaging.
Cartons, or individual items larger than 18 inches (45.7 cm) in any two dimensions (e.g. length and width), and/or with weight greater than 28 lbs (12.7 kg) are considered oversized. Oversized items will be assessed additional receiving charges.
Oversized cartons or items should be safely packed to withstand pressure incurred via the average handling of heavier items. These items must be able to be safely moved, or handled with equipment including, but not limited to: forklifts, pallet jacks, clamp trucks, conveyors, hand trucks, and sortation equipment. Please contact us with any questions or concerns about your oversized product.
You must individually wrap all items with a high or moderate risk of damage.
To evaluate your possible damage risk, consider your product’s replacement cost plus the possibility of damage. Consumer electronics should be considered high risk. Apparel is typically low-risk.
Wrap products that are subject to color-fading such as leather products in polybags instead of paper.
Include a silica gel pack if your product is sensitive to moisture.
Ensure that any packaging used for toys is not hazardous to children.
Links to carrier-specified best-practices:
Need some clarification? We’re be happy to chat with you and clear things up for you. Anytime!