Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program simplifies inventory storage and order fulfillment. You ship your products to their warehouses, which take care of everything.
However, you must follow specific packaging guidelines to ensure a smooth inventory process. Here’s a breakdown of essential FBA packaging requirements to streamline your experience.
In This Guide, We Cover:
Why FBA Packaging Matters?
FBA Product Barcode Essentials
General Packaging Requirements
FBA Inbound Shipping Requirements
Why FBA Packaging Matters
You might wonder why proper packaging is necessary when Amazon stores and ships your products. Here’s why:
- Prevents damage: Poor packaging can cause products to get damaged during transportation.
- Ensures accurate identification: Incorrect labeling can lead to lost or misplaced items.
- Reduces waste: Oversized packaging is wasteful and environmentally unfriendly.
- Maintains brand reputation: Poor packaging can reflect negatively on your brand.
Amazon strictly enforces its packaging guidelines, and non-compliance can result in penalties. For instance, they might discard your inventory or block future shipments to their centers. Improper labeling can make products unsellable, and you might incur additional fees.
FBA Product Barcode Essentials
Every item entering an Amazon fulfillment center needs a barcode for identification and tracking throughout the process. Here are the common barcode types:
- Manufacturer Barcodes (UPC, EAN, JAN, ISBN): Most products require a scannable manufacturer barcode on each item or variation (like size or color).
- Amazon Barcodes (FNSKU): Products without a manufacturer barcode or those ineligible for virtual tracking need an Amazon barcode. These labels (FNSKU) begin with an “X” followed by a unique product identifier.
- Transparency Authenticity Codes: Brands enrolled in the Amazon Brand Registry can use unique Transparency barcodes to prevent counterfeiting.
Following Amazon’s barcode guidelines ensure your products are efficiently tracked and processed upon arrival.
General Packaging Requirements
Beyond barcodes, Amazon has general packaging requirements for FBA products. Here are some key points:
- Secure packaging: All products must be in boxes, bags, or other suitable containers. Existing barcodes on boxes must be removed or covered to avoid scanning errors.
- Sets and multi-piece items: Products sold as sets or with multiple components need clear labeling to indicate they should not be separated. Examples include “Sold as a set” or “Ready to ship.” Amazon does not accept Products requiring assembly.
- Box standards: Boxes must have six closed sides and be sturdy enough to protect the contents. Boxes that collapse quickly are prohibited. Lids or openings should not open during shipping and can be secured with tape or glue. Boxes exceeding 10 lbs should use double-walled corrugated cardboard for extra strength.
Additional Considerations
- Bubble wrap and poly bags: Individual products can be wrapped in bubble wrap or sealed in plastic bags for extra protection. However, specific guidelines apply, such as minimum thickness requirements for poly bags and proper suffocation warning labels for large bags. Barcodes must remain scannable through the packaging.
- Overboxing: Oversized or exceptionally fragile items may require placing them in an additional outer box (overboxing) for maximum protection. Sturdy double-walled cardboard is recommended for overboxing heavy products exceeding 10 lbs.
- Case-packed items: When sending case-packed products (where a manufacturer packs multiple units together), all units within a case must be identical regarding SKU and condition. Quantities per case must also be consistent.
- Amazon imposes a cap on the number of units per case. You may need to break down larger wholesale boxes. Ensure you cover or remove any barcodes on the exterior of case packs.”
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- Expiration dates: Products with expiration or best-by dates must be marked in the MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY format. Any variations should have a label with the correct format applied over the original date. Expiration dates must also be visible on the exterior packaging for products requiring additional preparation (like poly bags or bubble wrap).
Restricted Products
Remember that Amazon prohibits storing certain hazardous, flammable, or perishable products in their fulfillment centers. Always consult Amazon’s restricted products list before shipping large quantities.
FBA Inbound Shipping Requirements
You must follow a few inbound shipping requirements when ready to ship your packages to Amazon for FBA inventory. The first step is to provide detailed information on the box content. When creating a shipment in Seller Central, indicate precisely what items are in each shipping box and their respective quantities. This will help Amazon correctly receive your inventory into their system and enable proper storage and management of stock within their fulfillment centers.
Providing Clear Shipment Information
The first step is to detail the contents of each box you’ll be sending. You’ll create a shipment plan through Seller Central that lists every item and quantity within each box. This accuracy helps Amazon efficiently receive, store, and manage your stock within their fulfillment centers.
Packing for Safe Travels
Proper packaging is essential for your products to arrive safely at Amazon’s facilities. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Strong Boxes: Use sturdy boxes in good condition with no rips or tears. Minimum dimensions should be 6 x 4 x 1 inches.
- Repurposed Boxes: If you’re reusing boxes, remove any old labels, markings, or tape for a clean slate.
- Secure Sealing: Ensure all seams and edges are completely sealed with heavy-duty tape (2-3 inches wide) to prevent gaps. The tape should adhere firmly to the cardboard.
- Protective Padding: Individually wrap and cushion your products inside the boxes. Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or air pillows are all great options. Leave at least 2 inches of padding between the products and the box walls to prevent shifting and damage.
Box Size and Weight Restrictions
There are limitations on the size and weight of your shipment boxes:
- Standard Boxes: Use standard boxes with a minimum size of 6 x 4 x 1 inches.
- Size and Weight Limits: Boxes cannot exceed 25 inches on any side and weigh 50 pounds, except for oversized items (see Amazon’s guidelines for details on handling oversized items and weight restrictions).
- Acceptable Box Types: Avoid using point-of-sale containers, open display boxes, oversized pallet boxes, string, straps, or excessive wrapping.
Choosing the Right Packing Materials
The type of packing materials you use plays a significant role in protecting your inventory. Here’s a quick guide:
- Approved Materials: Bubble wrap, kraft paper, air pillows, and polyethylene foam sheets are all suitable for cushioning your products.
- Non-Approved Materials: Avoid packing peanuts, loose foam pieces, shredded paper, thermocol chips, or Styrofoam.
Additional Considerations
- Scannable Barcodes: All your products must have scannable barcodes that meet Amazon’s FBA product barcode requirements.
- Box Labels: Each box needs an Amazon FBA Box ID and carrier label (e.g., UPS, FedEx).
- Unique Shipping Methods: Different shipping methods (LTL, FTL, FCL) may have specific requirements. Be sure to check with Amazon for details to ensure compliance.
Following these guidelines will help ensure Amazon receives your FBA shipments smoothly, avoiding delays or rejections due to incorrect packaging or labeling. This will keep your products flowing efficiently to your customers.
Case Study: Product Integrity
Challenge: A seller of fragile glassware should have adequately packaged their items according to Amazon’s guidelines. As a result, many of their products arrived damaged at the fulfillment center, leading to customer complaints and negative reviews.
Solution: After revising their packaging process to include proper cushioning materials and sturdy boxes, the seller saw a significant decrease in damaged items during transit. This led to improved customer satisfaction and increased sales.
In conclusion
Following Amazon’s FBA packaging, preparation, and shipping guidelines, ensure your products reach fulfillment centers intact and ready for storage, order processing, and customer delivery. Investing in proper packaging and labeling upfront minimizes damage, facilitates faster delivery, and avoids delays in getting your inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
How we can assist you?
At eMarspro, we understand sellers’ challenges meeting Amazon’s stringent packaging requirements. That’s why we offer comprehensive solutions to help streamline your packaging processes and ensure compliance with Amazon’s guidelines.
Our team of Amazon consulting experts provides tailored guidance on packaging best practices, barcode labeling, and inbound shipping requirements. With our assistance, you can rest assured that your products will arrive at Amazon’s fulfillment centers intact and ready for efficient processing.
Our cutting-edge tools and analytics platforms empower you to optimize your Amazon FBA business and stay ahead of the competition. Partner with eMarspro Amazon account management services and take the hassle out of packaging for Amazon FBA.
