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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Criteria for Suppliers

    All shipments to the PLCB must be packed in shipping cases (comprehensive outer and inner packaging which completely encases the saleable unit) that will assure:

    • Case acceptance and safe transportation to the distribution center;
    • Handling and stacking in the distribution center;
    • Reshipment from the distribution center to the retail locations; and
    • Handling and stacking in the retail locations. 

    The cases must comply in all respects with the governing classification of common carrier. Cases must be of sufficient quality to support and protect the saleable product through all required shipping, handling and stacking movement through distribution centers and withstand storage.

    • Case packs. The case pack – defined as the number of selling units in a case as stated and quoted to the PLCB - must be one physical case. Multiple physical cases cannot be strapped, put in a tray or taped together to make up the stated case pack. For example, if the case is defined as 12 units, two cases of six units each cannot be strapped or taped together to make 12.

    • Cases. Product sold in a carton, such as four cans in a single sellable carton, cannot have the vendor label applied to the outside of the carton.

    • Trays/open cases/other open packaging. If product is shipped on a tray/open case/other open packaging, the case pack must be shrink wrapped. The sellable unit(s) must not be exposed during the distribution process. 

    • Cans. Canned product must be able to be stacked two pallets high without crushing or degradation of the can.

    • Pre-printed cases. If a pre-printed case is used to ship different product ALL of the preprinted product information must be completely covered up on the case.

    • Cases. Case tops must be secured shut with glue or tape.

    • Displayed bottles. All bottles contained in retail display packaging must also be shipped in an enclosed  case. 
    If case is inadequate at the time of receiving, the shipment may be refused and the vendor will be notified to take corrective action by the PLCB buyer. Claims will be filed against the vendor for any damage that occurs in transit, in the distribution centers, or in retail locations because of incorrect or inadequate packaging.