This guide consolidates Costco’s mandatory packaging, display tray, and palletized shipping requirements for consumables, liquor, and cooler/freezer products, covering date coding, tray design, material standards, pallet limits, and cold-environment best practices to ensure full compliance with Costco’s retail and supply chain standards.

1. Scope & Applicability

This guide consolidates Costco’s palletized shipping, display tray, and consumable/liquor packaging requirements, covering Addendum A (Consumables), Addendum B (Department 16 Liquor), and Addendum C (Departments 17/18 Cooler/Freezer).

2. Addendum A: Consumables – Date Coding on Display Trays

2.1 Mandatory Requirement (Department 12 Candy)

Date coding is required for all Department 12 Candy display trays, with labeling on a minimum of two sides + the front of each tray.

2.2 Label Format & Specifications

- Required Text: `Best Before mm/dd/yy` (e.g., `12/16/23` for December 16, 2023)

- Font Size: Minimum height of 0.375" / 0.95 cm** for all date characters

- Label Clarity: Date must be fully legible, with clear separation of month, day, and year

2.3 Voluntary Adoption

While only mandatory for Department 12 Candy, visible date coding on display trays is encouraged for all other consumable product display packaging.

3. Addendum B: Department 16 Liquor – Packaging & Display Tray Specifications

3.1 Sell Unit Packaging (Beer)

All beer packaging must include functional carry handles or side-access holes for handling.

> Note: Sections 5.3 and 5.4 of the core packaging standard do not apply to Department 16 Liquor.

3.2 Display Tray Design (Wine & Spirits)

3.2.1 Tray Height Requirement

- Minimum tray height: 50% of total bottle height

- Maximum tray height: 65% of total bottle height

3.2.2 Divider/Insert Specifications

- Tray pack dividers/inserts must be removable (no permanent glue allowed)

- Dividers must not extend above the top edge of the tray pack

- Written buyer approval is required if dividers extend to the top of the bottle

3.2.3 Corrugated Tray Pack Material Standards

- Construction type: Half Slotted Container (HSC)

- Board strength: 32 ECT / 200 lb. Mullen test board

- Flute requirement: Minimum B or C flute

3.3 Regulatory Compliance

All packaging and labeling must fully comply with all laws and regulations set forth by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) (www.atf.gov).

4. Addendum C: Departments 17/18 Cooler/Freezer – Unitized Pallet & Display Tray Requirements

4.1 Unitized Pallet Requirements (Fully Enclosed Corrugated Containers)

4.1.1 Modified Height Limit

Pallet load height (including the pallet itself) may be up to 94" / 239 cm, provided loads are distributed in layer quantities.

4.1.2 Supplemental Handling Requirement

All pallet loads for layer distribution must be mechanically clamped for secure transport.

4.2 Unitized Pallet Requirements (Display-Ready Packaging)

4.2.1 Modified Shipping Protection

The exposed front of display-ready packaging may be turned toward the center of the pallet to prevent damage during shipping.

> Standard pallet footprint: 40" x 48"

4.3 Display Tray Design (Cooler/Freezer Environment)

4.3.1 Supplemental Performance Requirements

Raw, cut, exposed corrugated edges with single-wall construction are not recommended for cooler/freezer environments, as they fail to perform adequately in cold, high-humidity conditions.

4.3.2 Recommended Design Features

- Rolled-over edges

- Double-wall corrugated construction

- Wide stacking surfaces for stability

5. General Compliance Notes

- All specifications are subject to Costco’s buyer approval for deviations

- Packaging must prioritize in-store display visibility, product protection, and supply chain efficiency

- For non-mandatory requirements, adherence is strongly encouraged to align with Costco’s retail and operational standards