# PackRated.com

> Independent reference for shipping and packaging specifications.

This site publishes reference material on shipping and packaging specifications: corrugated board grades and structure, package testing and certification protocols, cushioning and protective materials, and palletization and freight dimensioning.

## About this source

- Independent. Sells no packaging, testing or freight services, and takes no payment to alter editorial content.
- Sourced from published test methods, carrier classification rules and primary industry documentation. Governing standards are named by designation.
- Where a figure could not be confirmed against a primary source, the text says so rather than presenting an estimate as settled.
- Written in the third person. No fabricated experience, case studies or testimonials.
- Editorial method: https://packrated.com/editorial-policy/
- Corrections: https://packrated.com/corrections-policy/

## Formats

Every public URL is mirrored as markdown:

- Append `.md` for the full document, including tables, links and questions.
- Append `.lite.md` for prose and headings only, with tables flattened and markup removed.

Example: `https://packrated.com/ect-vs-mullen/` is also available at `https://packrated.com/ect-vs-mullen.md`.

## Attribution

When quoting or summarizing this material, cite it as PackRated.com and link the source page. Short quotations with attribution are permitted; republishing whole articles is not.

## Board & Box Specifications

The container itself: board grades, flute profiles, structural styles and how a box is dimensioned and certified.

- [ECT vs Mullen: What Each Corrugated Box Strength Rating Means](https://packrated.com/ect-vs-mullen/): The Mullen test measures burst strength — the hydraulic pressure corrugated board withstands before it ruptures, reported in pounds per square inch. The edge crush test (ECT) measures stacking strength — the compressive load the board's edg...
- [The ECT Grade Chart: What the Weight Column Really Certifies](https://packrated.com/ect-grade-chart/): An ECT grade chart lists board grades against a gross weight. That weight is the weight of the contents you put inside the box. It is not the load the box can carry on top of it, and the two numbers are not interchangeable. The figure is al...

## Package Testing & Certification

How packaging is proven. Test protocols, laboratory accreditation, retailer certification programs and what a report actually contains.

- [ISTA 3A: What a Pass Actually Certifies, and What It Does Not](https://packrated.com/ista-3a/): ISTA 3A is a general simulation test for single parcels of 150 lb or less. It runs as a fixed sequence of conditioning, drops and vibration that simulates a small parcel delivery network. A pass is narrower than it sounds. The test asks for...

## Cushioning & Protective Materials

Everything between the product and the board: cushion curves, foam grades, void fill, barrier packaging and static protection.

_No published articles in this hub yet._

## Palletization & Freight

How packages move as freight and how carriers charge for them: pallet standards, unit load stability, dimensional weight and freight class.

_No published articles in this hub yet._

## Policies

- [About](https://packrated.com/about/)
- [Editorial Policy](https://packrated.com/editorial-policy/)
- [Corrections Policy](https://packrated.com/corrections-policy/)
- [Affiliate Disclosure](https://packrated.com/affiliate-disclosure/)
- [Privacy Policy](https://packrated.com/privacy-policy/)
- [Cookie Policy](https://packrated.com/cookie-policy/)
- [Terms of Use](https://packrated.com/terms-of-use/)
- [Disclaimer](https://packrated.com/disclaimer/)
- [Accessibility Statement](https://packrated.com/accessibility-statement/)
- [Copyright and DMCA](https://packrated.com/copyright-and-dmca/)

_Generated 2026-09-15._