You and your team work hard to create amazing products! The last thing you want is for your inventory to arrive damaged or to be rejected at receiving.You and your team work hard to create amazing products! The last thing you want is for your inventory to arrive damaged or to be rejected at receiving.Luckily, Pod has your back! Our requirements ensure your goods arrive at our DCs safely and retail-ready.Luckily, Pod has your back! Our requirements ensure your goods arrive at our DCs safely and retail-ready.Before you ship, make sure your packaging and labeling meet the simple specifications below:Before you ship, make sure your packaging and labeling meet the simple specifications on the pages that follow and linked below:

• Case packs

• Master cartons

• Units

• Case Packs

• Master Cartons

• Pallets

• Parcels

• Pallets

• Parcels

A Case Pack is a sellable wholesale unit distributed to retailers by Pod Foods. Case Packs are required. Before you ship, we recommend your Case Packs meet the following requirements  to minimize damage incurred via transit and handling. If Case Packs do not meet the following requirements they must be packed in Master Cartons and your Master Carton details must be set up correctly in your Vendor Dashboard.

1. Strong enough to ship on mixed pallets of goods, no exceptions

2. Able to withstand a 3 ft drop test

• The box is dropped from 3 ft, once per side and once on a corner

• No damages occur as a result of the drop

3. The box has 6 sides

4. The box does not collapse under medium pressure

5. Able to withstand exposure to dirt and dust in warehouse and shipping environments

6. The box is labeled correctly

7. Boxes (caddies, displays, etc.) that do not pass the above-mentioned requirements must be shipped in a standard single-walled secondary cardboard box

• A standard single-walled secondary cardboard box will be referred to as Case Pack and must be labeled as such

• There can be more than one box (caddy, display, etc.) in a Case Pack; the Case Pack is the sellable wholesale unit

A Master Carton is a large, secondary box containing Case Packs that needs to be broken down before distribution to retailers. Case Packs are always required. Master Cartons are optional.

• Be labeled as a Master Carton, otherwise, it will not be broken down

• Be set up as a Master Carton on your Dashboard

• Contain only a single SKU

Must be clearly labeled with the following:

• Lot Code and/or Expiration Date

• UPC + Scannable Barcode

Units MUST be labeled with expiration date displaying month, day, year in readable format.

Must be clearly labeled with the following:

• Brand Name

• SKU Name

• UPC + Scannable Barcode

• # Units per Case Pack

• Lot Code and Expiration Date*

• Total Case Pack Weight

• Storage Temperature (if any)

• Handling Requirements (if any)

• Country of Origin

Case Packs MUST be labeled with expiration date displaying month, day, year in readable format

If shipping in Master Cartons they must be clearly labeled with the following:

• “Master Carton” explicitly stated

• Brand Name

• SKU Name

• UPC + Scannable Barcode

• # Units per Case Pack

• # Case Packs per Master Carton

• Lot Code and Expiration Date*

• Total Case Pack Weight

• Storage Temperature (if any)

• Handling Requirements (if any)

• Country of Origin

• ISO-approved pallet

• Standardized pallet dimensions (stringer length x deck board width):

  • 48” x 40”

  • 42” x 42”

  • 48” x 48”

• 60” maximum stack height

• Hardwood or plastic

• Minimum 2500 lb capacity

• Good quality (no damages)

• ISO-approved pallet

• GMA-spec pallet

• 4-way entry

• Hardwood

• 48” x 40” dimensions

• Metal

• Damaged, poor-quality 

• Non-ISO-approved

• Pallets must be configured to maximize space and strength 

• Need a few tips for building your best pallet? See our Pallet Building Guidebook

• No overhang may exist beyond the pallet’s perimeter

• Cases are sealed and are in good condition

• Corner boards and slip boards are present 

•  Pallets with excessive case damages due to improper case stacking will be refused

• Shrink wrapped/stretch-wrapped pallets must be wrapped using clear/transparent plastic material. 

• Pallets wrapped in opaque material will be rejected at receiving.

• Must be present on side of pallet

Shipping to a DC via parcel is permitted, though not recommended. You must notify [email protected] if you plan to ship via parcel.

• Pod Information Label must be present on the outside of the shipping package 

• If shipping multiple parcels at once, case numbers must be clearly marked (case 1 of 3, case 2 of 3, etc.)

•  Parcels must include packing list

• Parcel shipments must not exceed 10 separate pieces 

• Parcel shipments must be shipped via USPS, UPS, or FedEx

• Total weight of parcel shipment must not exceed 250 lbs

Need support getting product to a Pod Foods DC? Click for a Freight Quote.

Want to learn more about moving product around the US? Click for Freight Basics.

The following carriers are recommended to use for inbounds to any and all of our warehouses:

TQL

• For outreach and scheduling, email: [email protected]

• General contact information: Mason Wisner P: 513.831.2600 x59150 | M: 440.821.852

Marubeni

• For outreach and scheduling, email: [email protected]

• General contact information: Bob Federico, direct: 518-258-4652

• You’ll receive an email with a new Pod Planned Inventory Request

• Navigate to your dashboard > Inventory > Send Inventory > select the Reference# to open the request

• Open the request and enter the required information:

  • Expiration date(s)

  • Lot code(s)

  • Estimated date of arrival

  • Tracking (if you do not yet have tracking information, use “TBD” as the tracking number so you can complete the request. Return to the request and enter tracking information once obtained)

  • Click Update button at the bottom to confirm!

• Print your Pod Inbound Label and affix one to each pallet

• We’ll leave this one up to you and/or your carrier. Email the DC directly to arrange an inbound appointment for your shipment.

• Once your inbound appointment is scheduled, update your dashboard with tracking information and a copy of your BOL

• You’ll be able to view your inbound on your dashboard within 5-7 days from the date your inbound was received at the warehouse

• Inbound processing delays are common. You will be notified of any delays via email

• Congratulations! Your inventory has been received and processed. View your newly-available inventory on your dashboard. Let’s make some sales!

Sending your product in boxes instead of pallets? Be sure to require a signature on delivery!

• You’ll receive an email with a new Pod Planned Inventory Request

• Navigate to your dashboard > Inventory > Send Inventory > select the Reference# to open the request

• Open the request and enter the required information

• Expiration date(s)

• Lot code(s)

• Estimated date of arrival

• Tracking (if you do not yet have tracking information, use “TBD” as the tracking number so you can complete the request. Return to the request and enter tracking information once obtained)

• Click Update button at the bottom to confirm!

• Make note of your Pod Inbound Reference Number. You’ll use this number on your BOL and when booking an inbound appointment. All shipments will be rejected without a reference number

• Print your Pod Inbound Label and affix one to each parcel

• Download your inbounds packing slip via your Dashboard

• Print one packing slip for each parcel box you are sending in your shipment. You must including one packing slip in each box

• Next, update your dashboard with tracking information. No need to arrange a delivery appointment with our DC

• You’ll be able to view your inbound on your dashboard within 5-7 days from the date your inbound was received at the DC

• Congratulations! Your inventory has been received and processed. View your newly-available inventory on your dashboard. Let’s make some sales!

Sending your product in boxes instead of pallets? Be sure to require a signature on delivery!

• You’ll receive an email with a new Pod Planned Inventory Request

• Navigate to your dashboard > Inventory > Send Inventory > select the Reference# to open the request

  

• Open the request and enter the required information

  • Expiration date(s)

  • Lot code(s)

  • Estimated date of arrival

  • Tracking (if you do not yet have tracking information, use “TBD” as the tracking number so you can complete the request. Return to the request and enter tracking information once obtained)

  • Click Update button at the bottom to confirm!

• Make note of your Pod Inbound Reference Number. You’ll use this number on your BOL and when booking an inbound appointment. All shipments will be rejected without a reference number

• Print your Pod Inbound Label and affix one to each parcel

• Download your inbounds packing slip via your Dashboard

• Print one packing slip for each parcel box you are sending in your shipment. You must including one packing slip in each box

• Next, update your dashboard with tracking information. No need to arrange a delivery appointment with our DC

• You’ll be able to view your inbound on your dashboard within 5-7 days from the date your inbound was received at the DC

• Congratulations! Your inventory has been received and processed. View your newly-available inventory on your dashboard. Let’s make some sales!