Packaging Requirements for Vendors

Neiman Marcus is committed to working with our vendors to ensure product is shipped to our customers in packaging of such quality that it will arrive safely at the delivery address, and in the condition intended by both Neiman Marcus and the original vendor. 

NM asks that our merchandise vendors understand what we call the ship-alone concept. While inbound merchandise shipments to the Neiman Marcus facilities may arrive safely, it is often due to the fact that the merchandise was shipped nicely strapped to a pallet or neatly packed in cases, then loaded into a trailer environment for transport.

Although this is the reality of shipping packages around the U.S. or even the world, by understanding this reality and by working together we can ensure each package has a better chance of arriving at its final destination undamaged. And in turn, NM customers receive fewer damaged packages, and our vendors experience fewer returns due to poor packaging. 

For this reason, we expect that each merchandise vendor follow the guidelines as a condition of doing business with Neiman Marcus. These standards are a minimum requirement, and meeting these guidelines may not be enough to ensure packages arrive at the customer’s home undamaged. Responsibility for merchandise damage due to insufficient vendor packaging remains with the vendor.  Due to the flow through of the merchandise at the NSC, packaging issues may not be identified until Neiman Marcus starts to ship to its customers. Non-compliance will result in chargebacks.

 

Carton and Merchandise Labeling

Please select the following link to Transportation Packaging.

 

Inner Packing

1.       Always fill all inner voids with packing materials (dunnage). 

2.       Hard-goods must be separated/protected within the container so they do not rub or strike against other items in the same container.

3.       Printed materials may not be used as dunnage.

4.       The use of Polystyrene Loose fill (peanuts) as a packing medium is acceptable, but the item must be secured within the carton so it does not ‘act about’ or ‘migrate’ toward the sides of the package.

5.       Hay or straw is expressly forbidden for usage as packing material. 

6.       Sharp, narrow, or pointed objects (i.e. table legs, pot handles) must be wrapped and secured in such a way that prevents them from puncturing the carton from within. 

7.       Large or oversize packages must have some sort of reinforcement in the center of the carton to prevent collapse under extreme weight conditions (typical stacking in a ship-alone environment). This type of damage is a high risk.

8.       Some large items should be double-boxed, with a minimum of 3 inches on each side of the interior box, with dunnage on all six sides. Refer to the ‘Requirements for Focus Merchandise Categories’ section of this area for more detail.

9.       Packing Requirement: Cartons with a void of space greater than half the height of the flap must be filled with dunnage and a corrugate insert on top of the dunnage to prevent pilferage.

No Dunnage

Dunnage

  

Insert

 

Sealed Security Tape

 

 

Vendor Box Packaging

1.       Merchandise must be packed in a new box, with no markings other than those of the vendor and/or box maker. If vendor or product logos are printed on the outside of the carton, there must be no indication the package was intended for any product other than the product contained inside. Recycled cartons may not be used to ship merchandise.

2.       Special handling instructions (i.e. ‘Fragile’, ‘Glass’ or directional arrows) must be used and are helpful to Neiman Marcus package handlers. However, the use of these warning signs does not supplant the packaging requirements outlined in this document.

3.       Non-corrugated vendor packaging must be appropriate size and strength to protect the merchandise contained inside.

4.       Security Tape Requirement: All cartons inbound to Neiman Marcus Group (Neiman Marcus Stores, Neiman Marcus Direct, Cusp, and Bergdorf Goodman) are required to be sealed with Security Packing Tape, in order to protect cartons in the supply chain.

Examples of Security Packing Tape:

          

*** Security tape is used to indicate if a package was opened or to detect tampering while a carton is in transit.

*** Clear or Solid Plastic Tape is NOT Acceptable.           

*** Merchandise shipped in a Re-shipper carton will be exempt from the Security Tape requirement.

 

Requirements By Merchandise Type

Furniture

1.       Special handling instructions (i.e. ‘Fragile’, ‘Glass’ or directional arrows) must be used and are helpful to Neiman Marcus furniture handlers, and to our freight carriers. However, the use of these warning signs does not supplant the packaging requirements outlined in this document.

2.       Product with glass, doors, or drawers must be labeled ‘Truck From’.

3.       All case goods should be resting on a minimum 1” x 4” wood platform.

4.       Within the container, corner guards or reinforcements must protect all corners of the item, and edges protruding in the body of the item.

5.       Glass must be wrapped in bubble and placed in a separate carton, secured inside the outer container. 

6.       Marble must be wrapped in bubble and placed in a separate carton, packed vertically within the outside container.

7.       Drawers, doors, hardware, shelving, etc. must be packed securely within the container.

8.       See National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) item 79000 for additional minimum packing requirements for Furniture.

9.       Furniture items must be packaged in the applicable "F" package as referenced in items under FURNITURE GROUP in the National Motor Freight Classification. See Item 79000 for additional information.

10.   As a minimum requirement, furniture items tendered for transportation must also conspicuously bear the triangular symbol certifying that this item meets the performance requirements of National Motor Freight Classification Item 181.

*Furniture packaging needs to be Rule 181 compliant. See number 14 under the reshipper guidelines for a link to an application.*

Mirrors/Framed Art (if designated as re-shippers)

1.       Mirrors/framed art should be double-boxed, with a minimum of 3 inches on each side of the interior box, with dunnage on all six sides.  For an example click here.

2.       Mirrors/framed art may be packed in a double-wall container large enough for 6” of bubble-wrap on all sides of the product.

a.       Packing material between the mirror and the glass must be shock absorbent. (Do not use packing material that will put direct pressure on the mirror)

b.       Raised portions of the merchandise should be protected. (Decorations or extensions)

3.       Containers must have some sort of reinforcement in the center of the carton to prevent collapse under extreme weight conditions (typical stacking in a ship-alone environment). 

4.       See NMFC Item 137440 sub 1 for additional minimum packing requirements for mirrors and framed art.

5.       Special handling instructions (i.e. ‘Fragile’, ‘Glass’ or directional arrows) must be used and are helpful to Neiman Marcus package handlers. However, the use of these warning signs does not supplant the packaging requirements outlined in this document.

Dinnerware/Glassware

1.       The most important factor for packing dinnerware/glassware is that it is tightly packed within the vendor package, and all voids are filled with appropriate dunnage.

2.       Bubble is the preferred method of wrapping individual pieces of dinnerware/glassware.

Stone/Concrete/Garden/Resin

1.       Large or heavy stone or concrete garden items should be packed following the guidelines established for furniture product.

2.       If shipped alone, merchandise must be packed in a double-wall container.

3.       Special handling instructions (i.e. ‘Fragile’, ‘Glass’ or directional arrows) must be used and are helpful to Neiman Marcus package handlers. However, the use of these warning signs does not supplant the packaging requirements outlined in this document.

4.       Within the container, corner guards or reinforcements must protect all corners of the item, and edges protruding in the body of the item.

5.       The stronger points of the item should be supported.  Thin/Weaker points should not be touching sides of box or packaging.

6.       Heavy garden items often need to be floor loaded by the shipper. These items must be packed in such a way to prevent crushing by other packages stacked on top of them.

7.       Accessories or pumps need to be secure within the box.

 

Re-shippers – Large items that should be packaged for shipment by the vendor.

1.       Cartons must be appropriate size and strength to protect the merchandise contained inside.

2.       Cartons must be a double-wall container of corrugated fiberboard construction. 

3.       Corrugated cartons must at a minimum meet specifications of fiberboard corrugated boxes as shown in Item 222 of the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) and display box maker certificate on the carton with ‘Bursting Test Strength’ and/or ‘Edge Crush Test Strength’ identified. Bursting Test Strength and/or Edge Crush Test Strength must meet National Motor Freight Classification Standards.

4.       Non-domestic cartons often have high moisture content, and are consequently very pliable. For this reason, items from import vendors must strictly adhere to items 2 and 3 above. 

5.       Indirect imports must receive a 100% inspection prior to being forwarded to Neiman Marcus Stores. 

6.       Products must be centered and protected by packing materials so there is a minimum of 3 inches between the item and the inner wall of the corrugated box.

7.       Large or oversize packages must have some sort of reinforcement in the center of the carton to prevent collapse under extreme weight conditions (typical stacking in a ship-alone environment.)

8.       Merchandise must be packed in a new box, with no markings other than those of the vendor, and/or box maker. If vendor or product logos are printed on the outside of the carton, there must be no indication the package was intended for any product other than the product contained inside. Reused cartons may not be used to ship merchandise.

9.       Telescoping boxes may not be used. Merchandise must be packed in a single container designed to accommodate the merchandise inside.

10.   Special handling instructions (i.e. ‘Fragile’, ‘Glass’ or directional arrows) must be used and are helpful to Neiman Marcus package handlers. However, the use of these warning signs does not supplant the packaging requirements outlined in this document.

11.   Sealing cartons - 2-inch pressure sensitive plastic tape should be used to seal cartons. Although less desirable, paper tape may be used but must be reinforced. All open seams must be taped.

12.   Sealing cartons – Staples must not be used as the only method of sealing a carton, but may be used when covered with the tape described in item #12 above. 

13.   We recommend transit testing packaging for items being shipped individually. Some recommended methods of testing are listed below:

International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) Transit Tested Program. For more information, visit www.ista.org. ISTA registered testing laboratories are authorized to certify furniture shipments for compliance to the National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) Item 181. For more information on the NMFC visit www.nmfta.org 

Neiman’s preferred testing: FedEx testing laboratory

FedEx Testing Laboratory - To inquire about package testing and evaluation click on the FedEx Packaging Services Application. With this form Neiman Marcus Direct will get a copy of the test results and we will be able to partner with your company on the packaging of your product. Testing procedures & packaging tips can be found on the following link: http://www.fedex.com/us/services/shipinfo/packaging/tips.html  

FedEx Packaging Services Application: http://www.nmgops.com/division/1/PKG_Services_Application.pdf

Rule 181 Testing

For an application to have packaging tested for rule 181, please fill out the form linked here and return to address listed to receive a registration number.  

http://www.nmgops.com/division/1/Rule181.pdf

For a list of companies who perform 181 testing visit here: Rule 181 Lab Testing Facilities

For further information regarding packaging and lab testing contact our packaging department at 972-401-6781 or email us at nmdpackaging@neimanmarcus.com.

UPS Testing Laboratory - service to shippers with UPS account. Information may be found on their website at www.ups-psi.com/packdesign.asp

Information regarding using Ranpak to package different types of items may be found here:  http://www.ranpak.com/frmindustry.html

14.   Requirements listed above apply to all furniture shipments. Additional specific requirements for furniture shipments (including NMFC Item 181) are listed in the ‘Focus Merchandise Categories’ section of this site.