But what if you can reduce your shipping costs, delight your customers and do something good for the planet at the same time? Doesn't sound like it should be true, does it? However, there is a packaging trick that savvy Amazon sellers are employing to help them do just that. Nor do they shout from the rooftops about it.

The trick is that your packaging is costing you too much—and you can help save you money in ways you never expected!

Why Packaging Is Not Just a Box

Packaging is a last thought for most sellers. You choose a box, wrap the product and send it off. However, Amazon sellers who are winning the game at Amazon think differently about packaging. They perceive it as a means to:

• Save money on shipping costs.
• Avoid costly Amazon penalties
• Please make the customers happy and garner more positive feedback.
• Develop a memorable brand.

One of the biggest secrets is that Amazon charges fees depending on the size and weight of your packaging. A little more space can send your product into a higher price bracket. This equates to higher costs per sale.

The Costs of Over-Packing

There's something most sellers forget to consider. Amazon will measure your package by the widest possible width across the top, down the sides, and down the bottom, which includes any loose flaps or protruding parts of the package. If your box is slightly too large you may incur $0.50 to $1.00 per unit more in fulfillment fees.

Now times that by 1,000 sales. Or 10,000. That's actual cash going down the drain out of your profit.

Fix: The right-sized packaging. Roughly estimate the size of your product. Select a box that is tight-fitting, not loose. For soft goods, use approximately 1/2 inch for padding. For fragile objects, one or two inches will suffice.

Frustration-Free Packaging: The Program That Changes Everything is a collaborative initiative by the FFI, the CPGR, and LCFG.This is a joint program of the FFI, CPGR, and LCFG.

Amazon has an initiative called Frustration-Free Packaging (FFP) . It is intended for ease of opening and ease of recycling . Qualifying products can be sent out in own packaging, not packaged in the Amazon box.

Because this is important to you.

• Reduced fees: Amazon is incentivizing sellers to use FFP-certified packaging.
• Boxes that open easily and that are low on waste are people's favorite boxes.
• Less waste: uses less packaging material, thus benefiting the environment

Your packaging must be curbside recyclable and open within 120 seconds. It also needs to be without plastic inserts and blister packs. Many sellers are not talking about it but are converting to FFP to reduce costs and enhance the customer experience.

Don't underestimate the impact of branded mailers.

Another secret: your first handshake with the customer is your box. A simple plain brown box is not going to do anything to your brand. About a box with your logo and colours? That's what creates a moment of connection.

If you're looking for a low-cost way to make a huge impact, then cheap custom mailer boxes are the perfect choice. Even when you go for the low-cost custom mail boxes, having your logo on it is enough to prove that you are concerned about the details. Include a branded tissue paper or thank you note inside. These little details make for a memorable unboxing and are something that customers will remember and share with others.

Besides, if you're looking for some cheap custom mailer boxes, they can be made to suit your product well. This will help you prevent oversized charges and lower shipping expenses.

How in the world is Smarter Packaging saving money?

Here are some important ways that smart sellers save money on packaging:

The smaller the class, the less it will cost to ship, and a smaller box is easier to slot into the window. 

• Remove unnecessary packaging: Using their own branded box eliminates the need for an outer box from Amazon.
• Save packing materials: The right size box will require less bubble wrap and packing peanuts
• Keep chargebacks to a minimum: Non-compliant packaging can cost $1.80/unit or more.

The Amazon SIPP Program

This is the new name for FFP and SIOC combined, the Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program. It eliminates the need to ship your product in Amazon packaging and allows you to use your own.

The advantages of SIPP certification:

• Lower fulfillment fees
• Reduces the amount of waste customers have to recycle.
• Quicker and greener unboxing experience

These programs have already reduced Amazon's packaging by 41% per shipment. This is a huge victory for sellers and the planet.

Starting to save is easy: make it a habit. The key to saving is to get started and make it a habit.

Compare your current packaging with the measures and consider if it can be optimized.

• Try a variety of box sizes to determine the tight fit
• Use recyclable materials to meet FFP standards.
• Put your logo in your mailboxes to help spread the word.
• Keep an eye on your costs to determine if your reductions are reducing expenses

Conclusion

The secret of the Amazon sellers that you don't know is really easy: packaging optimization equals higher profits. The right fit of boxes, the use of sustainable materials and participation in programs such as SIPP can help to reduce expenses, please your customers, and strengthen your brand.

Start small. Try one of the products with improved packaging. Measure the results. Scale what works. This will save you money.