TRUE FOB™ Training: Casegoods Packaging Standards

1. Introduction

TRUE FOB™ has developed the following guidelines to help suppliers design packaging that survives real-world shipping, warehouse handling, and home delivery hazards. Following these best practices helps minimize product damage, protect brand reputation, and reduce returns.

2. Supply Chain Hazards

  • Products are handled 10–22 times during shipping and warehouse movements.
  • Hand trucks, power lifts, and wheeled carts are commonly used.
  • Products may be stored vertically, horizontally, or stacked flat on pallets.
  • Packaging must withstand stacking, tipping, sliding, and shock events.

3. Outer Carton Requirements

  • Use strong corrugated cartons rated appropriately for product weight and size.
  • Design must limit air space and movement inside the carton.
  • Carton must be able to stand vertically without leaning or falling over.
  • Seal cartons with minimum 2” wide self-adhesive tape — staples are prohibited.
  • Carton must have required TRUE FOB™ (LTG) markings and labels on correct sides.
  • Protect fragile contents with "Fragile Handle with Care" labels.

4. Inner Packaging Requirements

  • Wrap all finished surfaces with 1/16” microfoam poly sheeting.
  • Protect corners with a combination of foam, corrugate, and injection molded plastic (IMP) protectors.
  • Fill all voids inside the carton with foam, corrugate, honeycomb, or corner board to prevent movement.
  • Install skids if the case is open-ended or has a wide span to improve hand truck support.
  • Inner cartons must be used for installable components (like legs, shelf pins, brackets) and labeled properly.
  • Secure installable components inside the carton with strapping — no loose movement allowed.

    • Additional Required Packaging Standards

    • Adjustable shelves must be secured to shelf pins with a wood screw to prevent movement during transit.
    • Drawers and doors must be wedged shut using strips of 1/16” microfoam poly sheeting.
    • Drawer and door pulls must be wrapped with 1/16” microfoam for cosmetic protection.
    • All finished surfaces must be covered with a sheet of 1/16” microfoam poly sheeting.
    • Drawers and doors should be securely held closed with stretch film (stretch film not shown in examples).
    • Cases with pre-installed legs must use suspension packaging to prevent legs from contacting the skid.
    • Legs must be suspended approximately 1.5" above the skid with a combination of foam and corrugate protectors.
    • Adequate cushioning and filler must be used to protect cases from free fall drops and transit impacts, according to the Material Specification Chart (MSC).

5. Assembly Hardware Packaging

  • Assembly hardware must be packaged with a red "Hardware Streamer" visible from the outside of the carton.
  • Assembly instructions must be packed with the hardware.
  • Use blister packs, segregated bags, or inner cartons to organize and protect hardware.

6. Moisture Control

  • Include desiccant inside each carton as per TRUE FOB™ standards.

7. Final Compliance Requirements

  • Packaging must pass TRUE FOB™ Transit Testing Protocols before approval for shipping.
  • All cartons must be designed for safe warehouse storage and customer delivery without rework.

Casegoods Packaging Checklist

  • ☑ Internal packaging protects finished surfaces and fragile parts.
  • ☑ 1/16” Microfoam used on all finished surfaces.
  • ☑ Corners protected with foam, corrugate, and IMP protectors.
  • ☑ Voids and air gaps inside cartons are completely filled.
  • ☑ Skid used when necessary for open-ended designs.
  • ☑ Hardware packaged with streamer and instructions.
  • ☑ Carton closure with 2” wide tape, no staples used.
  • ☑ All required carton labels and LTG markings are present.
  • ☑ Desiccant included inside the carton.
  • ☑ Packaging passes TRUE FOB™ Transit Testing Protocol.