Certain products have specific requirements when shipping inventory to DP World fulfillment centers. We may refuse, return, or repackage any product delivered to one of our DP World fulfillment centers with inadequate or non-compliant packaging at your expense, and you may also be subject to noncompliance fees.
- Any SKU you use on a unit must be unique and must correspond to one unique product. For example, each assortment type, such as size or color, will have a different SKU.
- Each unit must have an exterior label that is easily accessible and include a scannable barcode and the corresponding human readable numbers.
- Remove or cover scannable barcodes on the outside of a carton that includes multiple units. Only the individual units within the carton have scannable barcodes.
- All items must pass a 1-meter drop test on all sides. If the item is damaged in any way, then the product has failed the drop test and will require additional packaging. This is to ensure the item can withstand courier and will not damage other items, or containers, while in transit. Items that do not pass the drop test will be repacked and incur a non-compliance charge plus an external repacking charge.
Loose Products
- Each unit, including multiple volume set book publications, or any book must be contained within a single, secure package.
- DP World does not accept units that would require us to assemble multiple pieces from separate packages (for example, wheelbarrows where the handles and legs are in separate packages).
- Units that are not contained in secure packaging (like loose sleeves or pouches) require bagging. Items that are not bagged may be damaged during handling or due to shelf wear and tear and DP World will not be held responsible. Protection against handling, dust, dirt, and smudges must be provided.
- Apparel, plush toys, and footwear, regardless of material, must be packaged with no material exposed, either in shoe boxes or bagged in a polybag with suffocation warnings. It is recommended, but not required, to secure the shoe box lid with an adhesive band or removable tape.
Sold As Set
Units that are set must be marked as set on their packaging. Add a label to the unit that states that the products are to be received and sold as a single unit. For example, “Sold as set” or “This is a set. Do not separate.”
Boxed Units
- Must be six-sided.
- It must be completely sealed with tape, glue, or staples and not easy to open.
- Must not collapse when medium pressure is applied to any of the sides.
- May not have perforated sides or openings unless it can pass a 1-meter drop test, consisting of one drop on each side, and one drop on a corner.
Poly Bagged Units
- Poly bags with a 12cm/5” opening or larger are required to have a suffocation warning, either printed on the bag itself or attached as a label.
- For example: “WARNING: Plastic bags can be dangerous. To avoid the danger of suffocation, keep this bag away from babies and children.” The warning should be printed or placed in a prominent location and legible font size for the size of the bag.
- The thickness of the bag must be at least 0.4mm/0.016”.
- The poly bag must be transparent.
- The poly bag must have a product label or physical barcode that is scannable through the bag or have a product label on the outside of the bag.
- Poly bags must be completely sealed.
- Poly bag or shrink wrap may not protrude more than 7.5 cm/3” past the dimensions of the product.
Case-packed Items
- All products in a box will have matching SKUs and will have been previously packaged together by the manufacturer.
- All boxes with the same product will contain equal quantities of that product in each box. Example: A case-pack of 24 units must always contain 24 units.
- In some instances, a manufacturer or distributor might pack more than one case-pack into a larger box called a master carton. Master cartons do not qualify as case-packs and must be split at the appropriate case-pack level.
- For Case-Packed Items, you must remove or cover any scannable barcode from the case. Only the units within the case have scannable barcodes.
Expiration Dates
- Products that expire must include the expiration date on the master carton in 36+ point font and on the individual units. Lot numbers alone are insufficient. Expiration dates and batch numbers can be stored by DP World but only when the option is selected.
- Expiration dates must be displayed in the format DD-MM-YYYY. If the expiration date is printed in a different format, a sticker with the correct format must be applied, covering the original expiration date.
- Products that expire and are contained in packaging that requires additional prep, such as glass jars or bottles, must be prepped to ensure that the expiration date is accessible for DP World operation during the receiving process.
Warehouse requirements document
- All items must pass a vigorous shake test. If the item is damaged in any way, then the product has failed the vigorous shake test and will require additional packaging. This ensures loose items inside a product do not get damaged, or damage the main item, while in transit.
- Items that do not pass a vigorous shake test will be repacked and incur a non-compliance charge plus an internal repacking charge.
