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You’ve probably already considered selling on Amazon but its way easier than you think.
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Amazon FBA, or Fulfillment by Amazon, is a service used by thousands of merchants all over the world.
With Amazon FBA, selling on Amazon becomes easier as Amazon takes care of everything from shipping to customer service.
As an Amazon seller, all you need to do is send your products to Amazon fulfillment centers and have Amazon take care of the rest.
But how does this work? Well, sending your FBA inventory isn't as simple as wrapping it in a box. You have to follow some Amazon packaging requirements to have your inventory accepted at the fulfillment centers.
If you don't adhere to the guidelines and requirements, you may incur some Amazon fees and have your inventory sent back.
In this ePlaybooks guide, we will look at some Amazon FBA packaging requirements and guidelines to ensure a seamless process at Amazon fulfillment centers.
Proper packaging isn't only good news at Amazon fulfillment centers but is also good news for your customers. Packaging your inventory properly ensures that they are delivered swiftly and in good condition to your customers.
Also, keep in mind that all prerequisites for shipping must be met before shipping your items.
You can go through additional resources on your Amazon Seller account to guide you on preparing and packaging your inventory.
Now let's look at the Amazon packaging requirements and guidelines you must follow:
There are different packaging requirements under certain categories. Here are all the packaging requirements you need to take note of under the following categories:
“Sold as Set” products contain a mixture of similar units wrapped together. For example, it could be a set of kids' toys.
As you prepare these types of products for FBA shipment, it is important to take note of these requirements:
Case-packed products are in boxes that contain similar items with the same SKU. For example, it could be a box filled with 15 brown teddy bears. At fulfillment centers, officials only need to scan one of them since all items are identical. Each box must contain items with the same quantity and SKU. It should also not contain more than 150 units.
Products should be packaged in a cube or rectangular boxes with six sides. The box should also be able to withstand a minimal amount of pressure on any of the sides. Boxes with open lids should be fastened with tape or glue. Amazon recommends performing a drop test to check for any perforations, and also recommends using 200# test or stronger corrugated cardboard for most FBA products.
When packaging clothing, you can follow the general guidelines and package them in boxes or polybags. However, Amazon prohibits the packaging of clothes that include hangers. However, jackets, blazers, suits, baby hangers, and outfits that cost more than $299 are the exception.
Loose products typically have detachable parts. It is best to package these items in a bag or loose sleeves. Also, you can use removable tape to tie these items around each other if they are not in a bag.
If you are shipping products with expiration dates, they must come in MM-DD-YYYY or the MM-YYYY format on the packaging. The expiration date on the outer box should be in 36-point size. The expiration date label should also be attached to each item in the box. Any additional wraps, like bubble wraps, should also contain the expiration date.
Here are the main packaging materials you can use for your goods:
Boxes are the most common type of packaging. They are sturdy and more convenient for storing and handling goods. However, you can't use just any box. Here are four approved boxes you can use:
Amazon enforces strict limits on box size and weight to help fulfillment centers process inventory efficiently, reduce handling risks, and avoid storage issues. The longest side must not exceed 25 inches, the median side must be under 14 inches, the shortest side must not exceed 8 inches, and the maximum weight is 50 lbs. Boxes weighing between 33 and 50 lbs require "Heavy Package" Team Lift labels on five sides.
Some items, like shoes and bags, may not fit into structured boxes. You can package these items in polybags. Here are Amazon's specifications for polybags:
Bubble wrap bags are not a major packaging material. They are usually packed in boxes or polybags. Only specific items are qualified for bubble wrapping. These include delicate items or extremely heavy items that could get damaged during filling or transportation.
For fragile items, bubble wrap must be tightly secured, and the wrapped product must be able to pass a 3-foot drop test. Certain items may require over-boxing for additional protection. A machine-readable barcode must be applied to the outside of the bubble-wrapped product.
Packaging materials must follow Amazon's requirements and guidelines. You can get Amazon-approved packaging supplies, including polybags, boxes, and bubble wraps, directly from Amazon. If you are shipping to FBA, you can also get free supplies from UPS, FedEx, and USPS. However, you will need to cover the charges as stated by these suppliers.
Before sending your inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers, keep in mind that you need to follow some labeling requirements. Your labeling should match the following guidelines before shipment:
For eligible Amazon products, the Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program allows original products to be shipped as-is in their own packaging, rather than inside an additional Amazon box. Although not all products qualify based on how durable their existing packaging is, enrolling in SIPP will reduce some of your product prep needs and may offer lower FBA fulfillment fees. Barcodes still need to be fixed to your packaging.
You can check this guide to find out how to ship to Amazon FBA without delays. You can also find out the common shipping mistakes to avoid and what Amazon FBA warehouses expect at receiving.
It is important to follow Amazon's packaging requirements and guidelines to ensure your products arrive at fulfillment centers in good condition. It will also help you avoid poor seller ratings and extra costs for noncompliance.
On June 20, 2025, Amazon raised the maximum box length for FBA shipments from 25 inches to 36 inches. Width, height, and the 50-pound weight cap stayed unchanged.
The minimum box size is 6 × 4 × 1 inches, and boxes should weigh at least 1 pound to avoid receiving delays. If your carton weighs between 15 kg (33 lb) and 22.6 kg (50 lb), you must apply "Heavy Package" (Team Lift) labels on at least 5 sides of the carton, top, bottom, and all sides.
Also, boxes must be sturdy enough to survive the 3-foot drop test. Amazon recommends using 200# test or stronger corrugated cardboard for most FBA products.
For US sellers shipping inbound inventory regularly, it pays to have your freight carrier and prep team aligned on these limits before every shipment cycle. A missed label or overweight carton is one of the fastest ways to trigger a receiving exception. Pairing these box requirements with a solid understanding of how to ship to Amazon FBA will reduce the chances of rejection at the fulfillment center door.
Amazon FBA labeling ensures every product can be tracked and assigned to the correct seller.
Every unit must have a scannable barcode on the exterior. Labels must be placed on a flat surface, not edges or seams. Also, old barcodes must be covered or removed to avoid confusion. For poly-bagged items, labels should be placed clearly on the outer surface
As of January 1, 2026, all FBA prep and labeling services in the US are gone. Amazon no longer fixes barcodes, poly-bags, products, or bubble-wrapped fragile items. Every unit must arrive at the fulfillment center 100% prepped and compliant. Non-compliant inventory now incurs defect fees of $0.32 to $5.72 per unit instead of being corrected.
Also, Amazon updated its labeling policy on March 31, 2026. Only brand owners and authorized brand representatives enrolled in Brand Registry may use manufacturer barcodes (UPC/GTIN) for FBA shipments. If you're a reseller not enrolled in Brand Registry, you must use FNSKU labels.
Amazon accepts bubble wrap, foam, air pillows, and full sheets of paper as acceptable void fill and cushioning materials. Styrofoam peanuts, biodegradable fillers, crinkle wrap, and shredded paper are not permitted inside FBA shipments. For carton sealing, the H-pattern taping method using strong corrugated cardboard is the recommended approach.
For poly-bagged units, poly bags must be transparent, at least 1.5 mil thick, and must include a suffocation warning if the bag opening is 5 inches or larger. Items sold together as a set must be packaged as a single unit and labeled clearly as "Sold as set" to prevent the contents from being separated at the fulfillment center.
Choosing the right materials is not just a compliance exercise. It directly affects how your products arrive to customers and how your account health holds up over time. Sellers building a longer-term FBA operation should also understand how these prep decisions interact with Amazon FBA warehouse requirements more broadly.
Each unit must carry a single, scannable barcode, either an FNSKU or an approved manufacturer barcode. Any old or conflicting barcodes on the product must be covered before the item is sent to a fulfillment center. FNSKU labels must be easy to read and meet the standard size of 1x2 inches.
At the shipment level, every box must include its own FBA shipment label, which you can find and print directly from the Shipping Queue inside your Amazon Seller Central account. For pallet shipments, each pallet must be labeled four times, with one label placed at the center of each side. Every individual box on a pallet must also carry its own label.
Violations in this area can result in fines ranging from two to twenty-five dollars per unit, making labeling one of the highest-stakes steps in the entire prep process. Sellers who want to understand how labeling connects to the broader inbound workflow will find it useful to read through the full Amazon FBA guide for beginners before their first shipment.
You’ve probably already considered selling on Amazon but its way easier than you think.
Call Us Now