Mountain Equipment Company Packaging Guidelines

Below you will find a common list of FAQs that our users have when it comes to packaging guidelines for Mountain Equipment Company.

Are there any requirements for packing lists when shipping cartons?

A physical printed packing list is required to facilitate receiving. It should include MEC ship-to address and PO number, and a list of items being shipped, cross-referenced with SKU and/or Vendor Part number, along with a guide of which items are in which cartons. The packing list must be included with the pallet/carton and be placed in a visible location, such as the lead pallet or carton #1. If shipping multiple POs or pallets, all paperwork should be in one master envelope that is visible and accessible at delivery.

Are there any requirements for packing lists when shipping pallets?

A physical printed packing list is required to facilitate receiving. It should include MEC ship-to address, PO number, a list of items being shipped, and reference with the SKU or Vendor Part number along with a guide of which items are in which cartons. The packing list must be included with the pallet/carton and placed in a visible location, like the lead pallet or carton #1. For multiple POs or pallets, all paperwork should be placed into one master envelope visible and accessible at delivery time (e.g., a tail of the trailer).

Can pallets be stacked?

Stacking of pallets is prohibited.

Can purchase orders be mixed within a single carton?

Mixing purchase orders (POs) in a single carton is not acceptable.

Can purchase orders be mixed within a single pallet?

Yes, purchase orders can be mixed within a single pallet under certain conditions. Residual cartons for the same PO that are less than a full pallet can be combined onto a single pallet provided the POs are grouped and layered together. If mixing POs containing products of substantially different weights or sizes, load in the most logical way to prevent damage and facilitate receiving. Non-Compliance Fees apply if these requirements are not followed.

Can SKUs be mixed on a single pallet?

Yes, SKUs can be mixed on a single pallet if they are for multiple POs containing products of substantially different weights and/or sizes. In these cases, you may load POs in the most logical way possible to prevent damage during transit and facilitate receiving.

Can SKUs be mixed within a single carton?

Yes, SKUs can be mixed within a single carton if approved by MEC. The SKUs must be clearly separated with cardboard or a clear divider added between products, and 'MIXED CARTON' must be written on the outside of the carton. The carton should clearly indicate it contains mixed SKUs and list each SKU and its quantity.

What are the allowed pallet types for shipping?

Only A-grade wooden pallets or their equivalent are acceptable. Paperboard or plastic pallets are not allowed.

What are the max and min dimensions for shipping cartons?

The ideal carton dimensions are 24x16" (61x41cm) with a height of 12-15" (31-38cm).

What are the max and min weights for shipping cartons?

The maximum allowable weight per carton is 40lbs (18kgs), and there is no specific minimum weight mentioned for cartons.

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

Carton labels must include the vendor's name, MEC facility name and address, MEC PO number, UPC/EAN number, quantity in the carton (by SKU), carton number, and carton weight. Labels must be placed on the long and short sides of the carton. For pallets, there was no specific label placement described other than numbering each pallet and using a packing list to identify which POs are on each pallet.

What are the requirements for inner packs and cases?

Inner Packs should only contain one SKU, must include a scannable UPC/EAN and the total quantity of items. Each unit must have an individual UPC/EAN label. Products in Inner Packs are then placed into cartons to form Case Packs. Case Pack quantities and carton sizes must stay consistent for the same SKU across POs, and changes require MEC approval. Case Pack quantity can either correspond to a specific PO number of units or be set to 1 for items without pre-designated packs, allowing as many pieces in a carton as it can hold according to acceptable sizes.

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

. Each carton label must include the following information:
- Vendor's name
- MEC designated facility Name and complete address
- MEC PO number
- UPC/EAN number
- MEC SKU (optional)
- Vendor part number (optional)
- For mixed SKUs, clearly identify the carton as a "Mixed Carton" and list each UPC and quantity it contains.
- Quantity (total quantity of units in the carton, by SKU)
- Carton number (e.g., carton 1 of 2)
- Carton weight
- Two labels are required on the long and short sides of the carton.

There is no mention of GS1 or UCC18 labels specifically nor any other recommended label placements other than those stated above.

What is the max pallet height allowed when shipping?

The maximum pallet height should not exceed 7 feet (2.13m).