Introduction
Amplifier helps our Clients deliver original merchandise to their fans and customers.
This document provides guidance and direction for our Clients and their Suppliers shipping to our warehouse. Our goal is to quickly, accurately, and economically receive, store, and ship inventory for our Clients to their End Customers. Proper delivery of inventory to Amplifier is an essential part of timely, accurate fulfillment.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this document, please do not hesitate to contact help@amplifier.com.
Creating Compliant Deliveries
Creating compliant deliveries to send to Amplifier is easy when using our ASN tool, which is built into the My.Amplifier platform. The platform is accessible by all registered Client and Supplier users.
The tool creates compliant item barcodes, carton barcodes, pallet barcodes, and a shipment level document in addition to creating the digital advance shipping notification to the Amplifier team. For those creating these labels and documents outside of the My.Amplifier platform, this Routing Guide outlines the necessary steps to create a compliant receipt, both physically and digitally.
Clients or their Suppliers must digitally notify Amplifier of incoming deliveries through My.Amplifier by creating an ASN. This includes:
Estimated Delivery dates
Proper Labeling of Items, Cartons & (where applicable), and Pallets (where applicable)
Deliveries must physically correspond to the ASN
Detailed instructions on how to create an ASN can be found here.
2. General Requirements
2.2 Delivery Vehicles
All deliveries requiring a forklift for unloading must arrive in a dock-high vehicle. Deliveries arriving in a non-dock-high vehicle must be unloaded by the driver onto the dock. Deliveries arriving in a non-dock-high vehicle that cannot be unloaded by the driver will be turned away at the Vendor’s expense.
Note that side-loaded pallets cannot be accommodated.
2.3 Receiving Hours
All deliveries should arrive between 8am and 5pm Central Standard Time, Monday-Friday. No appointments are necessary. Reasonable exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis with prior approval by contacting help@amplifier.com.
Amplifier is closed on the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve (or observed) and Christmas Day (or observed)
2.4 Reasons for Delivery Refusal
No side-loaded pallets will be accepted.
No collect shipments will be accepted.
No HAZMAT shipments will be accepted.
No floor-loaded trailers will be accepted without special, prior approval.
No deliveries outside of the Receiving Hours will be accepted without prior, special approval.
Shipments with obvious damage may be refused or not handled without special, prior approval.
2.5 Barcode Requirements
Amplifier, in conjunction with its Clients, expects all Items delivered to Amplifier to be properly barcoded. Amplifier’s ASN Tool automatically generates item barcodes, carton labels, and pallet labels that meet all requirements. See this help article for directions.
3 Item Level Requirements
3.1 Pick-Ready Items
Items must arrive in a ready-to-pick state for parcel fulfillment. The following is a list of what constitutes ready-to-pick states for various product categories.
Item Type | Required | Recommended |
Glassware, Bottles | bubble-wrap | corrugate, foam or styrofoam inner-boxes |
Apparel | individually folded and bagged | folded and bagged |
Calendars | n/a | shrinkwrapped with stiffener |
It is understood that in addition to the above requirements, all items are barcoded with SKU and/or UPC.
3.2 Item Labels
All items must be individually labeled with barcodes:
A Compliant Barcode Label Must Contain
SKU or UPC (in Code 128 Symbology)
SKU (Human readable)
Item Name (Human readable)
Any Barcode Label used must be affixed to the item directly or via hangtag
Barcodes should be printed clearly and be scannable (not smeared, damaged, or blocked by any other piece of material on the product packaging)
Barcodes should be printed with at least .25 inches of space on the left and right side
Barcodes should not be shortened or incompletely printed
Barcodes should not be tampered with in any way that impairs scanning (cutting, scaling, etc.)
Barcodes should be black on a white background
3.3 Printing Item Barcode Labels in My Amplifier
For Suppliers who cannot generate their own Barcode labels using the Symbology shown above, Amplifier has made available Item Barcodes directly within My Amplifier’s ASN Tool. After creating an ASN, select Print from upper right corner and choose Item Barcode.
3.3.1 Label Stock
Item Barcode Labels are currently designed to be printed on a traditional 8.5 x 11 Letter Sheet using Avery 5160 Label Stock (30 Labels per Sheet.) This label stock allows for 30 labels (1” x 2⅝”) to be printed per sheet.
The Print Item Barcode Labels button generates a PDF file containing labels of ALL of the SKUs included in your ASN with sufficient sheets for each SKU. Each change in SKU will print on the next page of labels. In other words:
SKU #1 - 45 Units - 2 Sheets of Labels (60 Total)
SKU #2 - 2 Units - 1 Sheet of Labels (30 Total)
SKU #3 - 585 Units - 20 Sheets of Labels (600 Total)
3.3.2 Item Labels - Using UPC/ISBN Codes
UPC/ISBN Codes are acceptable alternatives to Code 128 Barcodes if you comply with all requirements.
The UPC/ISBN Codes must be legitimate codes created through the proper issuing authority
The UPC/ISBN Code must be clearly and properly printed on/affixed to the product in question
Any UPC/ISBN Code must be properly configured in My.Amplifier.com as your SKUs UPC/Alternate XREF.
If the UPC/ISBN Code is not configured in my.amplifier.com as the SKU or UPC/Alternate XREF upon delivery, Amplifier will make the necessary configuration on the Client’s behalf. In this event, related receiving activity will not be considered compliant.
Special note about magazines and ISSNs: If the magazine has multiple editions (such as different covers), be sure to use the ISSN Edition Variant in the barcode to differentiate them.
Product with a UPC/ISBN Barcode already printed & affixed (e.g. 9781892503503”)
UPC/XREF properly entered into My.Amplifier Item View
3.2.4 Item Labels - Using Code 128 Barcodes in Exterior Packaging
Some products can be shipped in original packaging. Many Suppliers are accustomed to incorporating barcodes into product packaging. If you do not wish to go through the hassle of procuring UPC codes but still wish to incorporate Amplifier-compliant barcodes in your production run, you still have options.
You can purchase Code-128 Fonts and generate EPS artwork that can be incorporated into your product packaging. So long as your Barcode is for the correct SKU, is printed correctly, and is scannable, this route may be acceptable.
Your graphics team can extract Item Barcodes from Amplifier-generated item label paperwork. Amplifier generates Acrobat PDFs, which can be opened and edited using a product like Adobe Illustrator. Doing this will allow you to reincorporate properly formatted barcodes into your packaging.
3.2.5 Item Labels - Exceptions
Certain product types cannot practically be barcoded, notably Posters. If your item cannot be barcoded, it may be subject to additional handling costs.
4 Carton Requirements
4.1 Packing Requirements
It is the Supplier’s responsibility to package and protect goods so that they arrive free of any damage or wear.
Supplier may not mix multiple Items in a carton. Doing so forces Amplifier to separate goods into unique cartons and risks subjecting Clients to additional Receiving Costs, namely a “Non-Compliant Delivery - Mixed SKUs Per Container” fee.
Maximum carton weight is 80 lbs.
4.2 Carton Design Requirements
Cartons must be stackable. (i.e., No free-rolling cylindrical or triangular tubes)
Corrugated cartons must withstand the rigors of transportation, distribution, and storage. The list below provides the minimum requirements:
Single-wall cartons up to 65 lbs Gross Weight require MBT of ≥200 or ECT of 32.
Single-wall cartons over 80 lbs Gross Weight require MBT of ≥250 or ECT of 40.
Double-wall cartons over 80 lbs Gross Weight require MBT of ≥200 or ECT of 42
4.3 Carton Sealing Requirements
Cartons must be sealed with reinforced paper tape or pressure-sensitive poly tape. Full length of all outer seams securely sealed with strips not less than 2” wide.
All items must be completely enclosed without product exposure or protrusions.
Tape must not cover labels or merchandise information.
4.4 Carton Labeling Requirements
All cartons must be labeled according to the following requirements:
Client Name
Supplier Name
Client Item Number (SKU) (Human Readable and Barcode)
Client Item Description
ASN # (Human Readable and Barcode)
Number of Items in carton
Number of Item Containers and Total Number of Item Cartons (“Item Box: 1 of 3”)
Number of Shipment Cartons and Total Number of Shipment Cartons (“Box: 2 of 7”)
If Palletized: Number of Pallets and Total Number of Pallets (“Pallet 1 of 2”)
5 Pallet Requirements
5.1 Pallet Packing
While an ASN can have more than one pallet, a pallet cannot have more than one ASN. Keep this in mind when shipping multiple POs on one delivery.
FTL and LTL shipments must deliver on pallets. Floor loading of trailers or containers without prior approval is not acceptable.
Standard Pallet Size: 40” Wide x 48” Deep. Maximum Pallet Size: 40” Wide x 48” Deep x 96” High. For goods requiring a large pallet for protection, please contact Amplifier prior to shipping. Vinyl records may use Euro pallets, which are smaller.
Plastic pallets are not acceptable.
In general, pallets should be wrapped with colorless transparent pallet-wrapping film. Cartons sealed with reinforced tape may be strapped to the pallet using plastic strapping or nylon banding.
Pallet wrap should be tied or attached to the pallet, ensuring the first wrap covers the pallet and the first layer cartons. Pallet should be wrapped sufficiently to prevent shifting during transit.
Ideally, cartons should not overhang pallet edges. If cartons overhang, the Supplier is responsible for bracing and protecting the exposed goods and is responsible for any damage in transit. If overhanging cartons arrived at Amplifier damaged, the shipment may be refused.
5.2 Pallet Condition
Pallet defects pose human safety hazards, reduce material handling efficiency, risk damage-free transportation of goods, and risk damage to material handling equipment. The following identify defects to avoid:
Wooden Pallets are required. No plastic Pallets.
No missing or broken boards on top or bottom.
No patched boards or metal repair plates.
A maximum of two repair or companion stringers is allowed. Weather cracks which are not continuous and not visible from three sides are allowable.
Pallets should be clean and odor free. Pallets must be free of debris and stains. Discoloration due to aging is acceptable.
No cracks on top or bottom boards greater than ⅛” wide and 15” in length.
No exposed splinters greater than 3 inches in length.
No tapered breaks in a stringer board with a depth of greater than 1 inch along a 10-inch or more run.
Nail heads or nail points are not to exceed ⅛” exposure from the surface of wood.
No partial footings. Partial footings are where ¼ of a string board with or length connecting to a bottom board has been removed, or securing nail shanks are exposed in the stringer.
5.3 Pallet Labeling
Pallets must be labeled with the following:
Client name.
ASN #. Only one ASN per pallet.
Pallet sequence for the ASN. “Pallet number 1 of X”
Carton count on pallet.
When properly using Amplifier’s ASN Tool, label generation of Pallet Sequence is automatic and should meet all requirements.
6 Documentation Requirements
6.1 Packing Lists
Packing lists for each Shipment are mandatory. A packing list is generated when the Supplier creates an ASN in the Amplifier platform. This packing list must be included with the shipment. The packing list must be presented in a clear plastic envelope and attached to the outside of the lead carton. For palletized shipments, the packing list must be affixed to a carton on the top pallet layer.