A Brief Analysis of the ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB Sam's Club Packaging and Transportation Testing

ISTA 6-SAMSCLUB This is a comprehensive simulation project jointly developed by ISTA and SAMSCLUB, based on extensive surveys, observations, and on-site measurements of logistics hazard data from SAMSCLUB’s DCs, overseas suppliers and ports, U.S. Sam's Club stores, ocean-going containers, trucks, and forklifts—designed to be applicable to SAMSCLUB The logistics system transports packages across the United States, with services divided into domestic and international shipping. Packages are sent from manufacturers, delivered to one or more Distribution Centers (DCs), and then forwarded to their final destinations. SAMSCLUB Various types of handling methods may occur at the distribution center, including manual handling, forklifts, pallet jacks, and clamp-based transport systems.

ISTA6-SAMSCLUB Packaging tests are categorized into four types—based on the product’s characteristics, packaging method, loading patterns, and more.

　　Type A: Non-perishable items, initially transported via pallets. Type A is further divided into two categories: items arriving at member stores (warehouses) with the same pallet load quantity, and items arriving with a varying pallet load quantity.

　　Type B: Non-perishable packaging initially transported via large-scale ground loading.

　　Type C: Non-perishable, initially packaged for small-scale ground-loading transportation.

Type D: Perishable, initially transported loaded on pallets.

So, what exactly are perishable and non-perishable items? And what do large-scale ground loading and small-scale ground loading mean?

Perishable items—such as food, beverages, fresh flowers, and other typical products—are prone to spoilage or decay once they deviate from their intended temperature, humidity, or other controlled conditions.

　　Durable: Products that won’t be damaged by extreme temperature or humidity conditions.

　　Ground Loading: Products are initially transported not in bundled packaging or on pallets, but directly as a single unit—either loaded onto transport vehicles or into ocean shipping containers. The number of member stores (or warehouses) corresponds to one box or collection unit.

　　Large ground-loaded items: weighing 50 lb (23 kg) or more, or featuring a longest edge measuring 24 in (610 mm) or greater, with a second-longest edge of at least 20 in (510 mm) and a shortest edge of at least 20 in (510 mm), or any single dimension measuring 30 in (760 mm) or more.

Small-scale ground loading: Anything that doesn’t meet the definition of large-scale ground loading is classified as small-scale ground loading.

ISTA6-SAMSCLUB What are the packaging test items?

ISTA6-SAMSCLUB Four different types of packaging—A to D—for packaging test purposes, with the testing procedures primarily including Temperature and Humidity Pre-treatment (Package temperature and humidity equilibrium in a laboratory setting), Temperature and Humidity Treatment (Simulating the temperature and humidity conditions that may be experienced during transportation), Impact (Slope impact, free fall, rotational edge drop, rotational surface drop, concentrated edge impact, bridge impact), Forklift Testing 、 Pressure (Vertical, horizontal), Random Vibration (With top load, without top load). Testing is conducted according to different items and sequences based on the packaging type.