From Scramble to Strategy: How Leading Sellers Are Beating the 2026 Prep Change

The countdown to January 2026 has begun. With Amazon discontinuing in-house FBA Prep services, the vast majority of sellers are scrambling to find Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers to handle their labeling and bagging. They are trading one cost for another. But the top 1% of sellers are doing something different. They are reducing most of the need for prep. Because they are moving to SIPP (Ships in Product Packaging).

What is SIPP?

SIPP is the evolution of Amazon’s “Frustration-Free Packaging.” It verifies that your product’s packaging is durable enough to survive the brutal journey through the fulfillment network without an Amazon box (overbox) to protect it.

Why SIPP is the Only Logical Response to 2026

The 2026 policy change is all about labor reduction. Amazon doesn’t want to pay humans to bubble wrap your vase. SIPP aligns your incentives with Amazon’s.

• You save money: Amazon gives you a discount on FBA fees (depends on product) because you save them the cost of a box.
• You save time: Your inventory checks in faster because it doesn’t need to be routed to a “Prep Line.”
• You ignore the ban: Since your product doesn’t need prep, the discontinuation of prep services is irrelevant to you.

The Certification Hurdle: ISTA-6 You cannot simply “opt in” to SIPP. You must earn it. Your packaging must pass the ISTA-6 Amazon Drop Test. This involves:

1. Drop Testing: 17 free-fall drops from varying heights.
2. Vibration Testing: Simulated truck transit vibration.
3. Leak Testing: (For liquids) Ensuring the seal holds under pressure.

The “Self-Test” Opportunity

Here is the good news: For non-fragile items (like shoes, apparel, simple home goods), Amazon allows Self-Testing. You don’t need an expensive lab. You need a camera, a tape measure, and a concrete floor. You perform the drop sequence, record the results, and upload them to Seller Central.

Where Big Internet Ecommerce Fits In

We turn SIPP from a “Packaging Project” into a “Profit Strategy.”

• Feasibility Audit: We look at your catalog. Which products are durable enough for SIPP? Which ones are too fragile? We give you a “Green Light / Red Light” report.
• Factory Liaison: We speak the language of Chinese manufacturing. We give your supplier the exact specs for “SIPP Compliant Cartons” so you don’t receive a container of crushed boxes.
• Certification Filing: We handle the paperwork. We ensure your self-test documentation is flawless so Amazon approves your discount immediately.

Want to know the best way to handle prep fees? Consult BigIntermetEcommerce.

Book a call to get your customized strategy roadmap today.

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