Amazon updates its FBA prep requirements regularly, and what worked last year might get your shipment rejected today. At 3PLGuys, we're an Amazon SPN certified 3PL that preps thousands of units daily. Here's the checklist we follow to ensure your shipments are always compliant.
Labeling Requirements
Every unit sent to FBA needs a scannable barcode — either the manufacturer barcode (UPC/EAN) or an Amazon FNSKU label. For commingled inventory, you can use the manufacturer barcode. For everything else, FNSKU is required.
FNSKU Labels
FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit) labels are Amazon's proprietary barcodes that tie inventory to your specific seller account. Use FNSKU when:
- You're selling private label products
- You want to avoid commingling with other sellers' inventory
- You're selling used or refurbished items
- Your product has variations (size, color) that need tracking
FNSKU label specifications:
- Minimum size: 1" x 2" (or 1" x 3" for longer titles)
- Must include product title and condition
- Print on thermal labels or laser — no inkjet (smudges)
- Matte finish preferred to avoid glare during scanning
Manufacturer Barcodes
You can use manufacturer barcodes (UPC, EAN, ISBN) if:
- You opt into Stickerless Commingled Inventory
- The product is new and has a valid barcode in Amazon's catalog
Warning: Commingled inventory means your units mix with other sellers' stock. If another seller sends counterfeit or damaged goods, customers might receive those units and blame you.
Label Placement Rules
- Place on flat surfaces, never on seams, curves, or edges
- Minimum 0.25" from any edge of the product
- Cover ALL existing barcodes with opaque labels — Amazon scans the first barcode it sees
- Labels must be scannable at 6 inches under warehouse lighting
- No wrinkles, tears, or partial coverage
Packaging Standards
Amazon's packaging requirements vary by product category. Getting this wrong is one of the top reasons for shipment rejections.
Polybagging Requirements
Polybags are required for:
- Textiles (clothing, fabric items)
- Plush products and stuffed toys
- Items with openings that could collect dust or debris
- Products vulnerable to moisture damage
- Baby products (extra protection required)
Polybag specifications:
- Minimum 1.5 mil thickness for items under 5 lbs
- Minimum 2 mil thickness for items 5+ lbs
- Transparent or translucent (product must be visible)
- Sealed completely — no open ends
- Barcode must be scannable through the bag
Suffocation Warning Requirements
Required on ALL polybags with openings 5 inches or larger. The warning must be:
- Printed directly on the bag, OR
- Affixed as a permanent label
- Minimum 18-point font
- In the language of the marketplace (English for US)
Standard text: "WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cribs, beds, carriages, or play pens. This bag is not a toy."
Bubble Wrap and Fragile Items
Fragile products require:
- Minimum 2 inches of bubble wrap on ALL sides
- Bubble size: small to medium bubbles work best
- Wrap tightly but don't compress the product
- Secure with tape that doesn't leave residue
- For glass: 3 inches of protection recommended
Items that always need bubble wrap:
- Glass containers (cosmetics, candles, etc.)
- Ceramics and porcelain
- Electronics with screens
- Framed items
- Any item marked "fragile" by manufacturer
Sets and Bundles
Multi-item sets must be clearly identified to prevent Amazon from separating units.
Requirements:
- All items secured together (shrink wrap, polybag, or box)
- Label clearly states "Sold as Set — Do Not Separate"
- FNSKU applies to the bundle, not individual items
- Box bundles need the label on the outside of the box
Box and Carton Requirements
Weight and Size Limits
- Maximum weight: 50 lbs per box
- Exception: Single oversized items can exceed 50 lbs with "Team Lift" label
- Maximum dimensions: 25" on any single side for standard shipments
- Oversize: Items exceeding 18" x 14" x 8" incur additional fees
Box Condition
- Use NEW, sturdy corrugated boxes only
- No crushed, torn, or water-damaged boxes
- No boxes with old labels, barcodes, or shipping marks
- Double-wall cardboard recommended for 30+ lb shipments
Packing Guidelines
- Fill void space with packing material (paper, air pillows)
- Items should not shift when box is shaken
- Don't overpack — boxes that bulge get rejected
- One shipment ID per box only
- FBA shipment label must be on a flat surface, scannable
Pallet Requirements (For LTL/FTL Shipments)
If you're sending pallets directly to Amazon:
- Standard pallet size: 40" x 48" GMA pallets only
- Maximum pallet height: 72" including pallet
- Maximum pallet weight: 1,500 lbs
- Stretch wrap all pallets securely
- No overhang beyond pallet edges
- Corner boards recommended for stacking
Category-Specific Prep Requirements
Apparel
- Remove all hangers
- Fold and polybag individually
- Attach size/color stickers if not printed on bag
- No pins, clips, or sharp objects
Liquids
- All caps must be sealed (induction or shrink band)
- Place in polybag as secondary containment
- "This Side Up" orientation arrows required
- Bottles must pass a drop test without leaking
Products with Expiration Dates
- Expiration date must be visible on outside of packaging
- Format: MM/DD/YYYY or MM/YYYY
- Items within 90 days of expiration cannot be sent to FBA
- Amazon may dispose of items 50 days before expiration
Batteries and Electronics
- Lithium batteries require safety documentation
- Battery-containing items need warning labels
- Must comply with UN3481/UN3091 shipping requirements
- Some batteries prohibited entirely — check Amazon's list
Common Rejection Reasons
These are the issues we see most often from sellers doing their own prep:
- Unscannable barcodes — Low-quality printing, wrinkled labels, or wrong barcode type
- Missing suffocation warnings — One of the most common compliance failures
- Improper prep — No bubble wrap on fragile items, unsealed polybags
- Count discrepancies — Shipment plan says 100 units, box contains 98
- Expired or expiration-missing products — Dates must be clearly visible
- Wrong ASIN/FNSKU match — Labeling errors that require receiving delays
- Commingled inventory issues — Products received under wrong seller account
- Oversized boxes — Exceeding dimension or weight limits
- Poor box condition — Reused, damaged, or improperly sealed boxes
- Missing "Sold as Set" labels — Bundles separated and sold individually
What Happens When Shipments Get Rejected
Understanding the consequences helps motivate compliance:
- Disposal fees: Amazon may dispose of non-compliant inventory at your expense ($0.15+ per unit)
- Return shipping: You pay to ship rejected items back to you
- Account health impact: Repeated violations affect your seller metrics
- Receiving delays: Your inventory sits in limbo while issues are resolved
- Lost sales: Products stuck in receiving = missed sales during prime periods
The Easy Way: Let 3PLGuys Handle It
This checklist is exactly what we do for every Amazon seller we work with. As an Amazon SPN certified 3PL, we handle FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bubble wrap, bundling, suffocation warnings, and carton forwarding, all with >99% accuracy and 24-hour turnaround.
What Our FBA Prep Service Includes
- Receiving and inspection — We check every unit against your PO
- FNSKU labeling — Printed and applied per Amazon specs
- Polybagging — Right thickness, suffocation warnings included
- Bubble wrap — 2-3 inches of protection for fragile items
- Bundle prep — Shrink wrap, "Sold as Set" labels
- Box-level compliance — New boxes, proper packing, correct labels
- Photo documentation — Visual proof of prep for your records
- Direct ship to FBA — We create shipment plans and send to Amazon
Why Sellers Choose 3PLGuys
We're located in Paramount, CA, minutes from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. This location makes us ideal for sellers importing from Asia — your container goes straight to us, we prep, and forward to Amazon FCs within 24-48 hours.
Our stats:
- Sub-1% error rate on prep
- 24-hour standard turnaround
- Same-day rush available
- Amazon SPN certified
- 250,000 sq ft facility
Skip the compliance headaches. Get a free FBA prep quote and let us handle the prep work so you can focus on selling.
