By Claire Donovan
•
Published October 25, 2026
Chewy packaging requirements come down to four things: your packaging has to survive Chewy's fulfillment and parcel network, carry a GS1-128 carton label that matches your advance ship notice, meet FDA and state labeling rules for pet products, and make only the environmental claims you can back up, including under California's SB 343.
Chewy sends its exact carton and routing specs to approved vendors during onboarding. This guide covers everything you can prepare before then, so your packaging is ready when the purchase order arrives.
In This Guide
- Chewy Packaging Requirements at a Glance
- Why Does Packaging Durability Matter So Much at Chewy?
- What Does Chewy Require on Shipping Cartons and Case Packs?
- How Do Packaging Needs Differ for Wholesale and Dropship Vendors?
- What Must Your Product Label Include?
- Which Environmental Claims Can You Print on Packaging?
- Does Chewy Require ISTA or Other Packaging Testing?
- Does Chewy Audit Its Suppliers?
- What Happens If Your Packaging Isn't Compliant?
- How to Get Your Packaging Chewy-Ready
- How Have Chewy Vendor Requirements Changed?
- How EcoPackables Helps Chewy Vendors
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
Key Takeaways
- Chewy shares its carton, labeling and routing specs with approved vendors during onboarding, as part of the vendor agreement.
- Expect a GS1-128 label with a unique SSCC on every carton, matching the 856 advance ship notice, plus case pack counts that match the ASN exactly.
- Pet food and treat labels must meet FDA rules under 21 CFR Part 501 and the labeling and registration rules of each state where you sell.
- From October 4, 2026, products sold in California can use the chasing arrows or "recyclable" claims only if they meet SB 343's recyclability criteria.
- Suppliers outside the U.S. and Canada complete an annual social audit; U.S. and Canadian suppliers complete one within 30 days if Chewy asks.
- Autoship customer sales made up 83.3% of Chewy's $12.60 billion in fiscal 2025 net sales, so packaging that fails in transit can interrupt a subscription.
Chewy Packaging Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Level | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Carton, labeling and routing specs | Required | Get Chewy's current routing guide during onboarding and build to it |
| GS1-128 carton label with an SSCC that matches the ASN | Expected | Leave a clean label panel on every shipper and match case packs to the ASN |
| Pet food label content | Required | Statement of identity, net quantity, manufacturer or distributor, ingredients by weight (21 CFR Part 501) |
| Flea, tick and health products | Required | Show the correct FDA NADA/ANADA number or EPA Registration Number |
| Recycling claims sold into California | Required | Use chasing arrows or "recyclable" only if the item meets SB 343 criteria (effective October 4, 2026) |
| Environmental law compliance | Required | Meet applicable environmental laws, including state EPR programs (Chewy vendor principles) |
| Social audits | Required | Annual audit if produced outside the U.S. and Canada; within 30 days of a request if produced in the U.S. or Canada |
| Transit testing (ISTA or similar) | Recommended | Test heavy, liquid and fragile items to a parcel-delivery procedure; ask Chewy if your category needs a specific one |
Required means set by law or by a published Chewy policy. Expected means standard practice for Chewy vendors, to be confirmed in your routing guide. Recommended means good practice that reduces damage and chargebacks.
Why Does Packaging Durability Matter So Much at Chewy?
Most of what Chewy sells is a repeat delivery. According to Chewy's fiscal 2025 results (released March 25, 2026), Autoship customer sales made up 83.3% of the company's $12.60 billion in net sales, across 21.3 million active customers.
Those orders move fast and far. Chewy's 10-K says it carries about 190,000 products from roughly 4,000 brands and reaches over 80% of the U.S. population overnight and almost 100% within two days. A food bag that splits or a litter box that crushes in transit can interrupt a subscription the customer expected to arrive without a second thought.
Chewy sells online, so there is no store shelf to design for. Your packaging is judged in Chewy's fulfillment centers and on the customer's doorstep.
What Does Chewy Require on Shipping Cartons and Case Packs?
Every carton you ship to Chewy should carry a GS1-128 label with a unique SSCC that matches your advance ship notice (ASN), and your case pack count has to match the ASN exactly. Chewy's routing guide sets the final label placement, carton markings and pallet build, so build to it before you print.
On the shipper itself, that means:
- A clean label panel. Leave a flat, unprinted area for the carton label. A fully printed shipper with no room for the label causes receiving problems.
- Accurate case packs. The units in each carton must match what you send in the ASN.
- GS1-licensed GTINs. Each item needs its own GTIN (UPC) so Chewy can receive and sell it.
- Matching EDI data. Wholesale vendors typically exchange 850 purchase orders, 855 acknowledgments, 856 ASNs, 810 invoices and 997 acknowledgments with Chewy. The SSCC on each carton has to match the one in the 856.
This follows GS1's Logistic Label Guideline, the carton-label standard most U.S. retailers use.
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How Do Packaging Needs Differ for Wholesale and Dropship Vendors?
Wholesale vendors ship cases into Chewy's fulfillment centers, and Chewy ships to the customer. Dropship vendors ship each order straight to the pet owner, with orders routed through Rithum Commerce Suite. Chewy decides which model fits your line, so confirm it before you design a shipper.
| Wholesale (ship to Chewy) | Dropship (ship to the customer) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who ships to the pet owner | Chewy | You or your 3PL |
| How orders arrive | EDI purchase orders | Rithum Commerce Suite |
| Where packaging is stressed | Inbound freight, storage, picking, then parcel delivery | The parcel network, straight to the doorstep |
| Biggest packaging risk | Cartons that fail in receiving or don't match the ASN | A product package that can't survive parcel handling alone |
| Labeling focus | Carton labels tied to the ASN | Shipping label and Chewy-specified packing slip |
Shipping dropship orders yourself?
Recycled kraft mailers give you a parcel-ready paper option with a recycled content claim you can back up.
What Must Your Product Label Include?
Pet food and treat labels must meet federal rules under 21 CFR Part 501, plus the labeling and registration rules of each state where you sell. According to the FDA (content current as of March 2, 2026), every animal food label needs:
- A statement of identity (what the product is)
- A net quantity statement
- The name and place of business of the manufacturer or distributor
- An ingredient list in descending order by weight, using common or usual names
Many states base their rules on AAFCO's Model Regulations, which now include the Pet Food Label Modernization (PFLM) updates. States adopt these on their own schedules, so check the timing with the feed control official in each state where you register.
Watch your front-panel claims, too. The FDA warns that a claim that a product treats, cures, prevents or mitigates disease can make it a new animal drug, which needs FDA approval.
How Are Flea, Tick and Health Products Labeled?
Chewy's pharmacy and health aisle carry products from two different regulators. According to the FDA (content current as of December 11, 2024), an FDA-approved flea and tick drug shows a six-digit NADA or ANADA number on the label. An EPA-registered pesticide shows an EPA Registration Number instead. The allowed claims differ between the two.
| Product type | Labeling authority | What the package must get right |
|---|---|---|
| Dog and cat food, treats | FDA plus state feed laws (most based on AAFCO models) | Identity, net quantity, manufacturer, ingredients, no drug claims |
| FDA-approved flea, tick and other animal drugs | FDA | NADA or ANADA number and approved labeling |
| EPA-registered flea and tick pesticides | EPA | EPA Registration Number and registered label text |
| Hard goods (toys, beds, bowls, litter boxes) | No pet-specific regulator | General consumer labeling and any environmental claims |
Which Environmental Claims Can You Print on Packaging?
Only claims you can substantiate, and from October 4, 2026, California sets a stricter bar for recycling claims. Because Chewy ships nationwide, plan for California's rules on every package.
What Does California's SB 343 Change?
Under SB 343, products and packaging sold in California may not use the chasing arrows symbol, show a resin code inside chasing arrows, or tell consumers to recycle them unless they meet the state's recyclability criteria. The October 4, 2026 date was set by CalRecycle's findings report of April 4, 2025, which started an 18-month compliance window (Perkins Coie).
SB 343 litigation update
A federal court in the Southern District of California has paused Attorney General enforcement of certain SB 343 provisions while litigation continues. According to Wiley (September 14, 2026), the order does not change the October 4, 2026 date, and products made before that date are grandfathered. Our Guide to California SB 343 walks through the criteria.
Nationally, the FTC Green Guides (16 CFR Part 260) set the standard for "recyclable," "compostable" and "recycled content" claims. They were last revised in 2012 and are under FTC review, so check for updates before you finalize claims.
Do State EPR Laws Apply to Chewy Vendors?
They can. California, Oregon, Colorado, Maine and Minnesota are among the states with packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws that charge producers fees based on the packaging they sell into the state. Work out whether you or Chewy is the obligated producer for your products in each state. Chewy's vendor principles require compliance with applicable environmental laws, so this sits with you as the vendor. Our US Packaging EPR Laws hub covers each state program.
Chewy has not set its own public targets for recycled content, fiber or plastic reduction in packaging, so for most vendors these state laws are the environmental requirements that matter most.
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Talk to our team about FSC-certified recycled materials for your Chewy line.
Does Chewy Require ISTA or Other Packaging Testing?
Chewy has not published a blanket ISTA requirement, so ask during onboarding whether your category or fulfillment model needs a specific procedure. Either way, test heavy items (large food bags, litter), liquids (shampoos, supplements) and fragile goods (glass jars, aquarium items) to a parcel-delivery procedure before you scale.
Does Chewy Audit Its Suppliers?
Yes, for social compliance. Chewy's "Ethics and Integrity Principles for Chewy's Vendors" cover labor, human rights, business integrity, trade compliance and the environment, and its California Transparency in Supply Chains Act statement (revised April 2024) sets the audit rules:
- Suppliers outside the U.S. and Canada must complete a social audit every year.
- Suppliers in the U.S. and Canada must complete one within 30 days if Chewy asks.
- Audits include a facility tour and a review of labor, human rights and business practices.
- Production cannot begin until audit results are acceptable.
- Violations can lead to a corrective action plan or termination.
These audits cover the facilities that make your products. If your packaging or co-packing happens overseas, know who does it and where.
What Happens If Your Packaging Isn't Compliant?
Chargeback terms are set in your vendor agreement rather than a public schedule. ASN, routing and invoice errors are the usual triggers for chargebacks and rejected invoices, so get carton labels and case packs right first. For policy violations, Chewy can require a corrective action plan or end the relationship. Have your vendor agreement's compliance section reviewed before your first shipment.
How to Get Your Packaging Chewy-Ready
Use this sequence before your first purchase order.
1
Confirm Your Model
Wholesale or dropship changes almost everything about your shipper design.
2
Get the Documents in Writing
Ask for the current routing guide, carton labeling and case pack standards, any category-specific packaging or testing rules, and the compliance and chargeback terms in your vendor agreement.
3
Set Up GS1
License GTINs for each item and make sure you can print SSCC carton labels that match your ASNs.
4
Lock Your Label Content
Cover FDA and state feed requirements for consumables, the right NADA/ANADA or EPA number for health products, and no unapproved drug claims.
5
Audit Every Environmental Claim
Remove chasing arrows or "recyclable" language from anything that can't meet SB 343 criteria, and keep proof for every recycled content claim.
6
Test the Real Route
Simulate the journey your product will take, then adjust board grade and inserts before you scale.
7
Prepare for a Social Audit
Budget for an annual audit if you produce outside the U.S. and Canada, and keep records ready for a 30-day request if you produce domestically.
Selling to other retailers too? Compare Chewy's rules with our Whole Foods packaging requirements and Home Depot packaging requirements guides.
How Have Chewy Vendor Requirements Changed?
The biggest recent changes for Chewy vendors have come from how Chewy sells and from new state law.
| Date | Change | What it means for packaging |
|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2023 | Chewy adopts Rithum Commerce Suite to add third-party partners (Rithum) | More vendors ship parcels directly to customers |
| April 2024 | Chewy revises its supply chain statement and audit rules | Written social audit expectations for all suppliers |
| 2025 | Chewy launches Get Real fresh dog food as a private brand (10-K) | More fresh and refrigerated items in the network |
| June 2026 | Chewy groups American Journey, Tiny Tiger, True Acre Foods and Bones & Chews under Chewy Made (Pet Age) | Chewy's own brands get refreshed packaging, and national brands compete beside them |
| October 4, 2026 | California SB 343 recycling-label restrictions take effect | Recycling claims on every package face a stricter test |
Any future Chewy packaging targets would most likely appear in its annual 10-K or on its investor site, and this guide will be updated when they do.
How EcoPackables Helps Chewy Vendors
EcoPackables' 100% Recycled Cardboard Shipping Box (RSC) and 100% Recycled Cardboard Mailing Box are made from 100% recycled corrugate with FSC-certified recycled content, in A, B, C, E and F flute. Custom orders start at around 1,000 units, so you can spec a shipper with the right board grade and a clear label panel for Chewy's routing guide. For dropship parcels, our 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Kraft Mailers give you a paper option with a recycled content claim you can substantiate. Order a sample pack to test them on your route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Chewy's packaging requirements for vendors?
Chewy's supplier packaging guidelines, covering carton, labeling and routing specs, go to approved vendors during onboarding. Every vendor must also follow Chewy's published vendor principles and audit policy, meet FDA and state labeling rules for pet products, and, from October 4, 2026, follow California's SB 343 rules for recycling claims.
Does Chewy require GS1-128 carton labels?
Wholesale vendors should expect to label each carton with a GS1-128 label carrying a unique SSCC that matches the 856 ASN. Confirm label format and placement in Chewy's routing guide before you print shipper cartons.
Does Chewy have sustainable packaging goals for suppliers?
Chewy has not published packaging targets for recycled content, fiber or plastic reduction. Its vendor principles require compliance with applicable environmental laws and ask suppliers to minimize environmental harm.
Do Chewy suppliers get audited?
Yes, for social compliance. Suppliers outside the U.S. and Canada complete an annual social audit, and U.S. and Canadian suppliers complete one within 30 days if Chewy asks. Production cannot begin until results are acceptable.
Can I use the recycling symbol on pet products sold on Chewy?
Only if you can substantiate the claim. For products sold into California, SB 343 restricts the chasing arrows and "recyclable" claims from October 4, 2026 unless the item meets statewide recyclability criteria. Chewy ships nationwide, so plan for California's rules.
What's the difference between selling to Chewy wholesale and dropship?
Wholesale vendors ship cases into Chewy's fulfillment centers, and Chewy ships to the customer. Dropship vendors ship each order to the pet owner themselves, with orders routed through Rithum Commerce Suite. Dropship packaging has to survive the parcel network on its own, and recycled kraft mailers are one parcel-ready paper option.
Sources
View all 16 sources
- Chewy, Inc. "Ethics and Integrity Principles for Chewy's Vendors." View source. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Chewy, Inc. "California Transparency in Supply Chains Act Statement." View source. Revised April 2024; accessed October 21, 2026.
- Chewy, Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2026. View source. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Chewy, Inc. "Chewy Announces Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results." Business Wire. View source. March 25, 2026.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Animal Food Labeling and Pet Food Claims." View source. Content current as of March 2, 2026.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "How Can I Tell if a Flea and Tick Product Is an Approved FDA Animal Drug or a Registered EPA Pesticide?" View source. Content current as of December 11, 2024.
- Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). "Pet Food Labeling Guide." View source. Last modified August 27, 2024.
- Petfood Industry. "AAFCO aligns feline calcium, phosphorus enforcement with PFLM." View source. October 14, 2026.
- Perkins Coie. Update on the compliance deadline for California's Truth in Recycling law (SB 343). View source. Accessed October 21, 2026.
- Wiley Rein LLP. Client alert on the SB 343 compliance deadline and the federal court's pause on enforcement. View source. September 14, 2026.
- GS1. "GS1 Logistic Label Guideline, Release 1.3." View source. July 2019.
- Federal Trade Commission. "Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims," 16 CFR Part 260. Last revised 2012.
- Orderful. "Chewy EDI Requirements for Vendors in 2026." View source. Updated August 6, 2026.
- Endless Commerce. "Chewy EDI Requirements." View source. 2026.
- Rithum. "CSA: Chewy links third-party sellers to e-commerce site." View source. May 17, 2023.
- Pet Age. "E-commerce Pet Retailer Chewy Consolidates Private Label Brands Under Chewy Made." View source. June 10, 2026.
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