How to PREP, PACK & LABEL Your Amazon FBA Shipments
Prepping and packaging Amazon FBA shipments can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process, from packaging and labeling your products to preparing and labeling your shipping cartons. Let’s dive into the details of Amazon’s packaging and labeling requirements, including the necessary barcodes for your products.
Amazon’s Packaging and Prep Guidelines
Amazon has specific guidelines that your products’ packaging and shipping cartons must follow. Non-compliance can lead to your products being refused, returned, or repackaged at your expense. It’s essential to adhere to these guidelines to avoid any issues.
Key Points:
- All units must be contained within a single, secure package.
- Packaging must protect the product during handling and shipping.
- Amazon can refuse or repackage products with inadequate packaging.
You can find Amazon’s packaging and prep guidelines here. Refer to this page for detailed information.
Types of Packaging
There are three main types of packaging you will encounter:
- Box
- Poly Bag
- Blister Pack
Box
Boxes provide sturdy protection and can be plain generic or custom-designed. They should meet these guidelines:
- Six-sided
- Openings that won’t easily open on their own
- Must pass a three-foot drop test (one drop on each side and one on a corner)
Poly Bag
Poly bags are clear bags that can be plain or designed. They need to meet these requirements:
- Must be at least 1.5 mil thick
- Must have a suffocation warning if the opening is 5 inches or larger
- Must be transparent
- Must have a scannable UPC or Amazon barcode
- Must be sealed and not protrude more than 3 inches past the product dimensions
Blister Pack
Blister packs are suitable for products that benefit from visibility, like toothbrushes or marker pens. If your manufacturer can’t provide the packaging you want, consider sourcing a different supplier.
Labeling Your Products
Correct labeling is crucial to avoid shipment denial, delays, or fines. Here’s what you need to know:
Country of Origin
- U.S. customs require that the country of origin be on every unit and master carton.
- Example: “Made in China” must be on products and shipping cartons if sourced from China.
Barcodes
- FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit) is recommended for private label products to prevent co-mingling.
- Barcodes must be on the outermost packaging, visible, and scannable.
- Only one barcode should be visible; cover any other barcodes.
If you prefer, Amazon can label your products for a fee of $0.55 per unit.
Packaging Your Shipping Cartons
There are two ways to package your master cartons:
- Case Packed
- Individually Packed
Case Packed
- Identical items with matching SKUs and conditions
- Equal quantities of products in each box
- Maximum of 150 units per case
Individually Packed
- Mixed SKUs or conditions
- Different quantities of the same SKU in each case
- Can contain more than 150 units per case
SPD Requirements
- Must have an FBA shipment ID label and a carrier label
- Must not exceed 50 pounds or 25 inches on any side
- For partnered carrier shipments, maximum of 200 units per box (500 units for non-partnered)
Shipping Labels
There are two types of shipping labels required:
- Amazon Shipping Labels: Identify the shipping cartons for Amazon
- Carrier Shipping Labels: Used for physical shipment with carriers like UPS, FedEx, or DHL
Ensure the correct label is on the corresponding carton, especially if shipping multiple cartons of different products or quantities.
Final Step: Amazon’s Handling
If you’re using FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), Amazon will handle the final packaging and labeling for customers. However, ensure your product packaging is sufficient to protect it from damage during shipping, as Amazon may not add extra padding.
Important Considerations:
- If your product is fragile, request Amazon to always ship it in a box instead of a padded envelope.
- Collect evidence of damaged products and submit it to Amazon to support your request.
Additional Resources
