ISTA 3B Package Testing: Less-Than-Truckload Shipments
ISTA 3B determines the integrity of less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments in transit. As an ISTA and ISO 17025 certified lab, we realize the importance of ISTA 3B transit testing. Meeting the ISTA 3B requirements can be difficult. We understand the challenges and guide companies through the process.
Keystone Compliance’s accurate test reports are delivered quickly. We are in constant communication throughout the test process. When packages do not meet the requirements, we assist with finding solutions. Lastly, our pricing is competitive and we offer volume discounts.
Request a quote to see why so many companies partner with Keystone Compliance. Have a question about ISTA 3B integrity testing? Contact us and we will determine the best course of action.
Summary of ISTA 3B Integrity Testing
ISTA 3B testing is a general simulation test for packaged-products shipped through a motor carrier (truck) delivery system. Different types of packaged-products, often from different shippers and intended for different ultimate destinations, are mixed in the same load. This type of shipment is called LTL (Less-Than-Truckload). Procedure 3B is appropriate for four different types of packages commonly distributed in LTL shipments as described below.
Package Types:
- Standard, 200lb (91 kg) or less, including elongated and flat packages.
- Standard, over 200lb (91 kg), including elongated and flat packages.
- Cylindrical, including elongated cylinders.
- Palletized or Skidded-Individual container, bulk container, or unitized load on or incorporating a base or platform which allows the entry or life truck forks.
Definitions:
Elongated Package or Cylinder
- A standard or Cylinder package where the longest dimension is 36 in (910 mm) or greater and
- Both of the packages’ other dimensions (or the cylinders diameter) are each 20 percent or less of the longest dimension.
- Volume is 800 in3 (13,000 cm3) or greater.
Non-Rigid Container
- Any Standard (regardless of weight) or Palletized or Skidded container where the outer package may offer insufficient protection from concentrated low-level impacts or
- The design has large unsupported spans of outer packaging material or
- The outer package utilizes a stretch-or shrink-wrap design, uses a think-flute or light grade corrugated board, uses a paper wrap or similar lightweight material only, etc. or
- The outer package wall is in direct contact with the product.
The chart below is an ISTA 3B test overview that provides the standard and more guidance on the testing procedure and requirements for package validation:
STANDARD 200lb (91 kg) or less
| Sequence # | Test Category | Test Type | Test Level | For ISTA Certification |
| 1 | Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1 | Temperature and Humidity | Ambient | Required |
| 2 | Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1 | Controlled Temperature and Humidity | Temperature and Humidity chosen from chart | Optional |
| 3 | Shock TEST BLOCK 2 | Tip/Tip Over | Uses a 22 degree tip angle | Required |
| 4 | Shock TEST BLOCK 3 | Free-Fall Drop | 6 drops-height varies with packaged-product weight | Required |
| 5 | Vertical Vibration TEST BLOCK 7 | Random with Top Load | Overall G level of 0.54 | Required |
| 6 | Shock TEST BLOCK 10 | Concentrated Impact | Impact mass free-fall drop, guided drop, or pendulum, 15 in (380mm) | Required only for Non-Rigid Containers |
| 7 | Shock TEST BLOCK 11 | Free-Fall Drop | 6 drops-height varies with packaged-product weight | Required |
| 8 | Shock TEST BLOCK 16 | Full Rotational Drop | 1 Drop | Required only for Elongated packages |
| 9 | Shock TEST BLOCK 17 | Bridged Impact | Hazard Box dropped 16 in (410 mm) | Required only for Elongated packages |
| 10 | Shock TEST BLOCK 16 | Full Rotational Drop | 2 Drops | Required only for Flat packages |
| 11 | Shock TEST BLOCK 18 | Concentrated Edge Impact | Hazard Box dropped 16 in (410 mm) | Required only for Flat packages |
TEST SEQUENCE STANDARD Over 200lb (91 kg)
| Sequence # | Test Category | Test Type | Test Level | For ISTA Certification |
| 1 | Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1 | Temperature and Humidity | Ambient | Required |
| 2 | Atmospheric conditioning TEST BLOCK 1 | Controlled Temperature and Humidity | Temperature and Humidity chosen from chart | Optional |
| 3 | Shock TEST BLOCK 2 | Tip/Tip Over | Use a 22 degree tip angle | Required |
| 4 | Shock TEST BLOCK 5 | Rotational Drop | 9 in (230 mm) Rotational edge and corner drops | Required |
| 5 | Shock TEST BLOCK 6 | Incline or Horizontal Impact, optional Free-Fall Drop | 48 in/sec (4ft/sec) (1.2 m/sec) impacts or 3 in. (76 mm) drops | Required |
| 6 | Vertical Vibration TEST BLOCK 7 | Random with Top Load | Overall G level of 0.54 | Required |
| 7 | Shock TEST BLOCK 10 | Concentrated Impact | Impact mass free-fall drop, guided drop, or pendulum, 15 in (380 mm) | Required only for Non-Rigid Containers |
| 8 | Shock TEST BLOCK 13 | Rotational Drop | 9 in (230 mm) Rotational edge and corner drops | Required |
| 9 | Shock TEST BLOCK 14 | Incline or Horizontal Impact, optional Free-Fall Drop | 48 in/sec (4ft/sec) (1.2 m/sec) impacts or 3 in. (76 mm) drops | Required |
| 10 | Shock TEST BLOCK 16 | Full Rotational Drop | 1 Drop | Required only for Elongated packages |
| 11 | Shock TEST BLOCK 17 | Bridged Impact | Hazard Box dropped 16 in (410 mm) | Required only for Elongated packages |
| 12 | Shock TEST BLOCK 16 | Full Rotational Drop | 2 Drops | Required only for Flat packages |
| 13 | Shock TEST BLOCK 18 | Concentrated Edge Impact | Hazard Box dropped 16 in (410 mm) | Required only for Flat packages |
TEST Sequence CYLINDRICAL
| Sequence # | Test Category | Test Type | Test Level | For ISTA Certification |
| 1 | Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1 | Temperature and Humidity | Ambient | Required |
| 2 | Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1 | Controlled Temperature and Humidity | Temperature and Humidity chosen from chart | Optional |
| 3 | Shock TEST BLOCK 4 | Free-Fall Drop | 6 Drops=height varies with packaged-product weight | Required |
| 4 | Vertical Vibration TEST BLOCK 8 | Random with and without Top Load | Overall G level of 0.54 | Required |
| 5 | Shock TEST BLOCK 12 | Free-Fall Drop | 5 Drops-height varies with packaged-product weight | Required |
| 6 | Shock TEST BLOCK 12 | Drop on Hazard | 1 Drop-height varies with packaged-product weight | |
| 7 | Shock TEST BLOCK 17 | Bridged Impact | Hazard Box dropped 16 in (410 mm) | Required only for Elongated cylinders |
TEST Sequence PALLETIZED or SKIDDED
| Sequence # | Test Category | Test Type | Test Level | For ISTA Certification |
| 1 | Atmospheric Preconditioning TEST BLOCK 1 | Temperature and Humidity | Ambient | Required |
| 2 | Atmospheric Conditioning TEST BLOCK 1 | Controlled Temperature and Humidity | Temperature and Humidity chosen from chart | Optional |
| 3 | Shock TEST BLOCK 2 | Tip/Tip Over | Uses a 22 degree tip angle | Required |
| 4 | Shock TEST BLOCK 5 | Rotational Drop | Rotational edge and corner drops Height varies with packaged-product weight | Required |
| 5 | Shock TEST BLOCK 6 | Incline or Horizontal Impact, optional Free-Fall Drop | 48 in/sec (4ft/sec) (1.2 m/sec) impacts or 3 in. (76 mm) drops | Required |
| 6 | Vertical Vibration TEST BLOCK 9 | Random with Top Load | Overall G level of 0.54 | Required |
| 7 | Shock TEST BLOCK 10 | Concentrated Impact | Impact mass free-fall drop, guided drop, or pendulum, 15 in (380 mm) | Required only for Non-Rigid containers |
| 8 | Shock TEST BLOCK 15 | Fork Lift Handling | Flat Push and Rotate tests | Required |
| 9 | Shock TEST BLOCK 15 | Fork Lift Handling | Elevated Push and Pull tests | Required |
| 10 | Shock TEST BLOCK 15 | Fork Lift Handling | Elevated Rotate tests | Required |
| 11 | Shock TEST BLOCK 15 | Fork Lift Handling | Load Stability Test over a handling course | Required |
| 12 | Shock TEST BLOCK 13 | Rotational Drop | Rotational edge and corner drops Height varies with packaged-product weight | Required |
| 13 | Shock TEST BLOCK 14 | Incline or Horizontal Impact, optional Free-Fall Drop | 48 in/sec (4ft/sec) (1.2 m/sec) impacts or 3 in. (76 mm) drops | Required |
Expert ISTA 3B Integrity Testing
Keystone Compliance strives to give our customers more time and energy on product development instead of testing. In addition to ISTA 3B integrity testing, Keystone has a full scope of expertise including sterile barrier, cold chain, and high impact shock. We can accommodate flexible and rigid packages of all sizes, including large pallets.
Contact us to learn first hand why so many companies partner with Keystone to achieve their ISTA 3B transit package testing certification needs.
For more ISTA Series 3 testing standards, please follow the links below: