Burlington Packaging Guidelines

Burlington Packaging Guidelines: safe pallet stacking, strict carton labeling, order separation & shipping specs for efficient, secure delivery.

Can pallets be stacked?

Pallets should be stacked to the maximum height of 96 inches and shrink-wrapped securely, covering all surface areas of the sides of the pallet. Empty filler cartons are not permitted, and chimney stacking is not allowed. Shipments should be planned for a maximum of 26 non-stackable or 52 stackable pallets.

Can purchase orders be mixed within a single carton?

No, purchase orders cannot be mixed in the same carton.

Can SKUs be mixed on a single pallet?

Multiple Purchase Orders (POs) within the same pallet are allowed and encouraged if necessary to achieve recommended pallet dimensions, but a clearly visible separator must indicate the end of an order at the 9-digit level.

Can SKUs be mixed within a single carton?

No, a carton can only contain one SKU/UPC, meaning one style, one color, and one size packed loose in a carton. Do not mix sizes, styles, or colors in the same carton. Closeout orders can contain mixed cartons, but this must be approved by Vendor Relations.

What are the allowed pallet types for shipping?

Pallets must be constructed of wooden material or stronger.

What are the max and min dimensions for shipping cartons?

The minimum dimensions for shipping cartons are 6 inches in length, 9 inches in width, and 3 inches in height, while the maximum dimensions are 53 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 32 inches in height.

What are the max and min weights for shipping cartons?

The minimum weight for shipping cartons is 1 lb, and the maximum weight is 65 lbs. For fragile merchandise, items in a carton cannot exceed 75 lbs unless approved by Vendor Relations.

What are the min max weight requirements for shipping pallets?

The maximum truckload limitations are 40,000 pounds for shipping pallets. There is no specific minimum weight requirement mentioned for pallets, only maximum limitations.

What are the requirements for Bills of Lading when it comes to pallet (freight) or carton (parcel) shipments?

Sealed trailers must have the unique seal number listed legibly on both copies of the BOL. For collect shipments, the CS number (routing confirmation number) is required on both BOL copies. It is the shipper's responsibility to count, load, and seal all freight and verify carton quantities listed on the BOL are accurate. If a concealed shortage is determined, the shipper is liable. The BOL signed/stamped by Burlington receivers is the only acceptable proof of delivery. If the BOL is recorded by the driver/carrier, they must have the opportunity to count the load before signing and sealing the trailer.

What are the requirements for carton or pallet labels and their placement?

- UCC-128 labels must be visible, readable, scannable, and located in the lower right-hand corner of the longest side of the carton.
- Labels should be placed on the side parallel to the flap seam on cartons if length and width are identical.
- Carton numbers must be unique across all distribution centers and can only be used once via EDI within 365 days.
- The barcode's bottom edge should be 1.25 inches from the bottom of the carton, with the outer edge between 1.25 inches and 3.0 inches to the edge of the vertical face.
- There should not be any tape, markings, or other labels covering the UCC-128 label.
- Labels must be printed on 4" x 6" adhesive shipping labels, not plain paper or in plastic sleeves, and applied without wrinkles.
- Pallet-level UCC-128 labels are not acceptable.
- If a carton is over 6 inches high, the label is placed vertically on the side; if less, it may overlap from top to side without folding the barcode.

What are the requirements for inner packs and cases?

Inner packs must be containers within a master carton that contain groups of individual selling units. All merchandise must be shipped in conveyable corrugated cartons, including master packs and inner packs. Cartons cannot use envelopes or bags of any kind. Reused or repurposed cartons are not acceptable, though recycled cartons are permitted. Inner packs must be sized correctly to avoid excess headspace, using protective packaging to cushion merchandise from impact, shock, and vibration during transit.

What are the requirements for placing labels on cartons being shipped?

1. UCC-128 labels must be visible, readable, and scannable.
2. UCC-128 labels should be located in the lower right-hand corner of the longest side of the carton.
3. Labels must be placed parallel to the flap seam when the carton’s length and width are identical.
4. There should be no tape, markings, or additional labels covering any part of the UCC-128 label.
5. The bottom edge of the barcode should be 1.25 inches from the bottom of the carton and no closer than 1.25 inches and no greater than 3.0 inches to the edge of the vertical face.
6. UCC-128 labels must be printed on 4" x 6" adhesive shipping labels.
7. Separate carton content labels are required when carton content information does not fit on the UCC-128 label and should be placed to the left of the UCC-128 label on the same panel.
8. Any additional labels must be placed on the same side as the UCC-128 label without overlapping it, and should be at least 3" x 4" in size, except for UCC-128 which must be 4" x 6".
9. If the carton height is over 6 inches, place the vertical label on the side of the carton. If less than 6 inches, the label may overlap from the top to the side, as long as the barcode is not folded.
10. Product identifiers such as style, color, size, and quantity must not be overlapped by any labels.

What is the max pallet height allowed when shipping?

The maximum pallet height allowed is 96".