Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Amazon Packaging and Prep Guidelines
2. Types of Packaging
- Boxes
- Poly Bags
- Blister Packs
3. Packaging Requirements
- Boxes
- Poly Bags
- Bubble Wrap
4. Product Labeling Requirements
- Country of Origin
- Barcodes (UPC vs. FNSKU)
- Expiration Dates
5. Shipping Carton Requirements
- Case Packed vs. Individually Packed
- SBD Shipment Requirements
6. Shipping Labels
- Amazon Shipping Labels
- Carrier Shipping Labels
7. Overboxing for Additional Protection
8. Conclusion
**The Complete Guide to Properly Packaging and Labeling Your Amazon FBA Shipments**
🔑 If this is your first time shipping products to Amazon, it's crucial that you properly package and label your shipments correctly. Improper preparation can lead to your inventory being rejected, incurring penalties, or even losing your FBA privileges entirely. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to ensure your shipments are Amazon-ready.
🗂️ Introduction to Amazon Packaging and Prep Guidelines
The Amazon packaging and prep guidelines outline the requirements your products' packaging and shipping cartons must follow. Failure to comply can result in your shipment being refused, returned, or repackaged at your expense. It's essential to understand these guidelines before sending any inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers.
📦 Types of Packaging
There are three main types of packaging commonly used for Amazon FBA:
1. **Boxes**: These are custom-designed boxes with graphics and marketing information to enhance the customer experience. You can also use plain, generic boxes.
2. **Poly Bags**: Clear, sealed bags that can be plain or custom-designed, often with an insert card for branding.
3. **Blister Packs**: Ideal for products where you want to showcase the contents, such as toothbrushes, markers, or toys.
Regardless of the packaging type, all components of your product must be contained within a single package.
📋 Packaging Requirements
Each packaging type has specific requirements that must be met to avoid shipment rejection or penalties:
Boxes
- Must be six-sided and have openings or a lid that won't easily open
- Must not collapse when medium pressure is applied
- If the box has perforated sides or openings, it must pass a 3-ft drop test
Poly Bags
- Bags with a 5-inch or larger opening must have a suffocation warning
- Must be at least 1.5 mils thick, transparent, and have a scannable barcode
- Must be completely sealed and not protrude more than 3 inches past the product dimensions
Bubble Wrap
- Must be tightly wrapped and taped shut, with a scannable barcode on the outside
- Must be able to pass a 3-ft drop test without the contents breaking
🏷️ Product Labeling Requirements
In addition to packaging, your products must also meet specific labeling requirements:
Country of Origin
- If your products are imported, each unit and master carton must be labeled with the country of origin (e.g., "Made in China").
Barcodes
- Every unit must have either a UPC (manufacturer) barcode or an Amazon (FNSKU) barcode.
- It's recommended to use the FNSKU barcode to keep your inventory separate from other sellers.
Expiration Dates
- If you're selling beauty products or grocery items, you must include the expiration date on each unit in the required format.
📦 Shipping Carton Requirements
When shipping your products to Amazon, you have two options for packaging your master cartons:
1. **Case Packed**: All products in a box have matching SKUs and conditions, with equal quantities.
2. **Individually Packed**: Boxes can contain different items, SKUs, or quantities.
Regardless of the method, your shipping cartons must meet the following SBD (small parcel delivery) requirements:
- Must have an FBA shipment ID label and a carrier label
- Cannot weigh more than 50 lbs or exceed 25 inches on any side
- Maximum of 200 units per box for Amazon-partnered carrier shipments, or 500 units per box for non-partnered carrier shipments
🏷️ Shipping Labels
There are two types of shipping labels you'll need to affix to your cartons:
1. **Amazon Shipping Labels**: These identify the shipment when it arrives at the Amazon warehouse and are provided when you create a shipping plan.
2. **Carrier Shipping Labels**: These are provided by the shipping carrier (e.g., UPS, FedEx) and are used to physically ship the products.
📦 Overboxing for Additional Protection
If your products are fragile, sharp, or over 10 lbs, you may need to "overbox" them for additional protection during shipping and handling. This involves placing the prepared or packaged product in a separate box.
🔍 Conclusion
Properly packaging and labeling your Amazon FBA shipments is crucial to avoiding delays, penalties, and potential loss of selling privileges. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you can ensure your products arrive at Amazon's warehouses in pristine condition, ready to be fulfilled and shipped to your customers.
Remember, attention to detail is key. Take the time to understand and implement these requirements, and you'll be well on your way to successful FBA selling.
Highlights
- Understand the Amazon packaging and prep guidelines to avoid shipment rejection and penalties
- Choose the right packaging type (boxes, poly bags, blister packs) and meet the specific requirements
- Properly label your products with country of origin, barcodes, and expiration dates
- Prepare your shipping cartons according to case-packed or individually-packed guidelines
- Affix the correct Amazon and carrier shipping labels to your cartons
- Consider overboxing for additional protection of fragile, sharp, or heavy items
FAQs
**Q: What happens if I don't follow the Amazon packaging and labeling requirements?**
A: Failure to comply can result in your shipment being refused, returned, or repackaged at your expense. Repeated non-compliance may even lead to the loss of your FBA selling privileges.
**Q: Can I use third-party websites to purchase UPC barcodes for my products?**
A: No, Amazon requires that you purchase UPC barcodes directly from the GS1 organization. Using third-party barcode sources may result in your listings being removed and your selling privileges being suspended.
**Q: How do I request that Amazon always ship my product in a box instead of a padded envelope?**
A: You'll need to provide evidence of damaged products being shipped in envelopes, such as customer reviews or returns. Submit this evidence to Amazon along with a request to have your product always shipped in a box.
**Q: What is the difference between case-packed and individually-packed shipping cartons?**
A: Case-packed cartons contain identical items with matching SKUs and conditions, while individually-packed cartons can contain different items, SKUs, or quantities.
**Q: Do I need to create a shipping plan for every shipment to Amazon?**
A: Yes, you'll need to create a shipping plan for any shipment going directly to Amazon's fulfillment centers. This allows Amazon to know what and when to expect your inventory.
Resources:
- Amazon Packaging and Prep: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201080410
- Barcode Video: [Link to barcode video]
- Shipping Plan Video: [Link to shipping plan video]
- VOC.ai AI Chatbot: https://www.voc.ai/product/ai-chatbot
