TJX Package Integrity and Transportation Testing
TJX consists of seven brand stores including: TJ-Maxx, Marshalls, Homegoods, Sierra, Winners, Homesense, and TK-Maxx. The TJX brand requires all packaged products to be properly sized, weighed, and measured. The packaged products must adhere to all TJX shipment specifications.
Keystone Package Testing partners with customers to achieve TJX package compliance on a daily basis. As an ISTA and ISO 17025 certified lab, we realize the importance of TJX package testing. We understand the challenges and guide companies through the process. When packages do not meet the requirements, we assist with finding solutions.
Request a quote to see why so many companies partner with Keystone Package Testing. Have a question about TJX pallet designs? Contact us and we will determine the best course of action.
Summary of TJX Pallet Shipping Requirements
Cartons must adhere to the TJX carton marking requirements. Cartons must have labels face outwards on all pallets. When cartons contain a fragile or breakable item, it must be marked with fragile markings on two of the cartons’ exterior panels. These must cover 20% of the carton or more.
Pallet labels are to be standardized and a minimum of 8.5in x 11in with the standard letter or A4 size paper. The labels must include information such as vendor name, department number, distribution center, and pallet number. Additionally, pallet requirements consist of size, weight and base.
Size
For U.S and Canadian divisions, the side should be no more than 84 inches tall. Larger pallets are permissible if the cube of merchandise exceeds the standard 48in x 40 in. European divisions should be 1.2m x 0.8m.
Weight
Each pallet with freight must not weigh more than 2,200 lbs. The weight is distributed evenly on the pallet to avoid excess weight being placed on carton contents.
Base
Freight or merchandise must be on a pallet, skid, or another base. The base must be easily moveable with a forklift or other piece of material handling equipment. If the pallet is made from a wooden material, it must also be free of insects, larvae, and mold.
Scope of TJX Exterior and Interior Carton Requirements
The style or multiple styles, style number, and quantity of each style must also be indicated on the purchase order. Metal banding and strapping are prohibited. Each carton must contain merchandise related to one purchase order only.
Testing method requirements consist of carton burst strength tests, edge crush tests, and industry-accepted drop tests for the type of merchandise being shipped. These package integrity testing procedures are important for all TJX brands: TJMaxx, Marshalls, Homegoods, Sierra, Winners, Homesense, and TKMaxx.
TJX Testing Protocol for Pallet Conditioning
Conditions to a pallet include, but are not limited to, when:
- Transparent shrink wrap is used to secure cartons on pallets.
- Cartons are stacked squarely on the pallet, in an alternating pattern.
- Cartons can not overhang the edge of the pallets.
- A strap guard is used if a pallet is banded or strapped.
- If the pallet is double stacked, edge protectors are used along the full length of all four corners of the pallet.
Pallets are assembled in the following order:
- One purchase order to a pallet.
- One distribution center to a pallet. Pallets must not be mixed by the distribution center.
- One style to a pallet whenever possible.
Keystone Package Testing ISTA 3E Recommendations
ISTA 3E testing provides similar protocols for the most valid results. The ISTA 3E is suggested for three main reasons.
- ISTA 3E is the industry standard for package testing and parcel shipments.
- It is used by most eCommerce retailers such as QVC, HSN, Wayfair, and more.
- ISTA 3E is accepted for insurance claims by most delivery service companies like FedEx and UPS.
ISTA Procedure 3E shipping tests are the tests designed for similarly packaged products in unitized loads for truckload shipments. This procedure covers the testing of unitized loads made up of either single or multiple products or packages of similar products.
These loads are prepared for shipment by way of a full truckload (FTL) delivery system carrier. FTL is designed as a motor carrier shipment where an entire trailer-load is filled with unitized packaged products. These are often retail packaged products intended for one single destination.
The ISTA 3E test sequence of this standard includes seven different steps. The first two steps are atmospheric preconditioning and conditioning. Preconditioning is essentially ensuring the test sample is at ambient room temperature prior to testing starting. The conditioning is the next step, which is exposing the sample to extreme environmental conditions. These can include extreme temperature, humidity, and a combination of both.
Click on the link for more information on ISTA package testing standards.
Expert TJX Package and Pallet Testing
Our team strives to give our customers more time and energy on product development instead of testing. Keystone has a full lab of test equipment which permits us to provide short lead times on scheduling. We can accommodate flexible and rigid packages of all sizes, including large pallets.
Contact us to learn first hand why so many companies partner with Keystone to achieve their TJX package testing requirements.
Looking to certify your package to other eCommerce standards? Visit the following:
Interested in the EMC/EMI, climatic, dynamic, shielding effectiveness, or IP Code testing of a product? Follow the corresponding links or www.keystonecompliance.com for more information.