If you’re new to Amazon FBA, the prep requirements can feel overwhelming. Labels, polybags, suffocation warnings, carton limits… one small mistake can delay your shipment or even lead to inventory being rejected.
This guide gives you the exact FBA prep checklist used by high-performing sellers — so you can avoid costly errors, ship with confidence, and start scaling your business.
Whether you’re prepping products yourself or partnering with a prep center, this is the checklist every new Amazon seller must follow.
Why Proper FBA Prep Matters More Than You Think
Every Amazon seller has learned this the hard way:
Amazon doesn’t care how great your product is — if the prep is wrong, they will reject it or charge you expensive prep fees.
When prep is incorrect, sellers face:
• Delayed inbound shipments
• Added Amazon prep fees
• Damaged products
• Lost Buy Box
• Account warnings or compliance flags
Starting with the right prep process saves you money, protects your inventory, and speeds up your path to profitability.
✔️ THE COMPLETE AMAZON FBA PREP CHECKLIST
1️⃣ Labeling Requirements (FNSKU Labels)
Every unit must have:
• A scannable FNSKU label
• The barcode fully visible
• The label placed on a flat surface
• No old barcodes showing (cover them with blank labels)
Common mistakes to avoid:
• Labeling over seams or curved surfaces
• Forgetting to cover manufacturer barcodes
• Wrong FNSKU for a variation
If Amazon can’t scan your FNSKU, they will re-label your products — at your cost.
2️⃣ Polybag Requirements
If your product is loose, has multiple parts, or could spill, Amazon requires polybags.
Polybag rules:
• Must be transparent
• Must include a suffocation warning if opening is ≥ 5 inches
• Must be 3 mil thick
• Must be heat-sealed or taped shut
• FNSKU label must be on the outside of the bag
Required suffocation warning example:
“WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children.”
3️⃣ Packaging Standards
Your product must be protected from:
• Drops
• Compression
• Moisture
• Dust
Amazon requires:
• Boxes to be new and without damage
• No extra space inside (add bubble wrap or foam)
• All boxes should be sealed with H-taping method
Avoid:
• Overpacking (causes overweight fees)
• Under-packing (causes damage claims)
4️⃣ Fragile Product Prep
If your item is glass, ceramic, or electronic, it must be prepped carefully.
Use:
• Bubble wrap (minimum 2 layers)
• Foam inserts
• Corner protectors (if applicable)
Amazon may require:
• “Fragile — Handle With Care” labeling
• Drop test standards
Electronics must also be protected from:
• Static
• Shock
• Pressure
5️⃣ Bundles and Multi-Packs
Bundles MUST be treated as one sellable unit.
Rules:
• Units must be packaged together
• FNSKU label must say “This is a set – do not separate”
• All items inside must be protected
Failure to bundle correctly leads to:
• Mixed inventory
• Customer complaints
• Higher return rates
6️⃣ Carton Requirements for Amazon FBA
Amazon has strict box rules:
• Max weight: 50 lbs (unless a single unit exceeds this weight)
• Max dimension: 25 inches per side
• Must include:
• FBA shipping label
• No hazardous materials
• No branding or marketing on shipping boxes
If cartons are overweight or oversized, Amazon may:
• Reject them
• Charge overweight fees
• Delay receiving
7️⃣ Shipment Preparation
Before sending to the FBA warehouse, confirm:
• Units count matches shipment plan
• Carton count matches Seller Central
• Box content information uploaded
• Pallet requirements (for LTL shipments)
• All tracking numbers added
Incorrect box content is one of the top reasons for Amazon receiving delays.
✔️ When Should You Use a Prep Center Instead of Doing It Yourself?
If you are dealing with:
• Large inventory
• Limited time
• No space at home
• Online arbitrage shipments
• Wholesale pallets
• International shipping
…using a prep center is almost always the smarter decision.
Prep centers allow you to:
• Scale faster
• Reduce prep errors
• Focus on sourcing products
• Avoid dealing with packaging and logistics
• Get faster shipment times
Why PrepFlow Prime Is the #1 Prep Partner for New Sellers
If you want a reliable, fast, compliant prep center for your Amazon business, PrepFlow Prime was built for you.
We offer:
• Fast turnaround times (24–48 hours)
• Photo proof of every shipment
• Transparent pricing
• Amazon & Walmart compliance
• Dedicated account support
• Full tracking from receiving to outbound
New sellers especially love us because we make the entire process simple, clear, and stress-free.
🔥 Ready to Start Your Amazon Business the Right Way?
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Our team is ready to help you ship faster, avoid mistakes, and scale your business with confidence.
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