Guide
Amazon FBA Prep Requirements: The Complete 2026 Guide
A single FNSKU label placed on a curved surface. One poly bag missing a suffocation warning. A carton that weighs 51 pounds instead of 50. Any one of these will get your shipment rejected at Amazon's fulfillment center — costing you return shipping fees, stranded inventory, and lost sales while your products sit in limbo.
This guide covers every FBA prep requirement Amazon enforces in 2026, organized by category, with the exact specs, dimensions, and rules you need to pass receiving on the first attempt.
Requirements at a Glance
The non-negotiable standards every FBA shipment must meet.
FNSKU
On Every Unit
1" x 2" or 1" x 3", 300+ DPI, flat surface
50 lbs
Max Carton Weight
Exception only for single oversized units
25"
Max Box Side
Standard cartons: 25" max on any dimension
90 days
Min Shelf Life
Upon arrival at fulfillment center
Labeling requirements
Every unit entering Amazon's fulfillment network must be individually labeled and scannable. Here are the exact specifications.
FNSKU Barcode Labels
The FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit) is Amazon's internal barcode that ties a specific product to your seller account. It prevents commingling — where Amazon stores your inventory alongside identical products from other sellers who may have different quality standards or counterfeit goods.
Label Specifications
- Size: 1" x 2" (standard) or 1" x 3" (preferred)
- Resolution: 300 DPI minimum (thermal printers recommended)
- Format: Code 128 barcode with human-readable FNSKU text
- Material: White matte label stock; no glossy labels (causes scanner glare)
Placement Rules
- Place on a flat, smooth surface — never on curves, seams, or folds
- Cover all existing barcodes (UPC, EAN, ISBN) completely
- Do not place over openings, flaps, or areas that flex
- Must be scannable through any outer poly bag or shrink wrap
Suffocation Warnings
Required by both Amazon policy and U.S. consumer safety regulations. Any poly bag with an opening of 5 inches or more must display a suffocation warning.
Required Warning Text:
"WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cribs, beds, carriages, or play pens. This bag is not a toy."
Font Size
24-point minimum
Visibility
Printed directly on bag
Languages
English (+ French for CA)
Expiration Date Labels
Required for food, supplements, topicals, and products with a defined shelf life. The date must be on the product itself — not just on the outer carton.
Accepted Formats
- MM-DD-YYYY (e.g., 06-15-2027)
- MM-YYYY (e.g., 06-2027)
- Must use "EXP", "BEST BY", or "USE BY" prefix
Shelf Life Minimums
- 90+ days remaining upon FC arrival
- Products below 90 days: rejected or disposed
- Products below 50 days: auto-removed from listings
"Sold as Set" Stickers
Any product that combines two or more items into a single listing must have a visible "Sold as Set" or "Ready to Ship" label. This prevents Amazon warehouse workers from separating the items and stocking them individually. The label should be at least 1" x 2" and placed on the outside of the shrink wrap or poly bag.
Packaging requirements by product type
Amazon's packaging rules vary depending on the product category. Here are the specific requirements for the six most common product types sent to FBA.
Standard Products
- No poly bag needed if product has existing sealed retail packaging
- FNSKU label on outside of retail packaging, covering any existing barcode
- Must be scannable through any outer packaging or shrink wrap
- Product must not shift or rattle inside its packaging
Textiles & Plush
- Must be sealed in a clear poly bag with suffocation warning
- Minimum 1.5 mil bag thickness for durability
- Bag opening of 5"+ requires printed suffocation warning (24pt+ font)
- FNSKU label on outside of the poly bag, not on the textile itself
Liquids & Gels
- Primary container must be sealed (induction seal or shrink band)
- Must be double-bagged in a sealed poly bag to prevent leaks
- Orientation arrow label ("This Side Up") if product is orientation-sensitive
- FNSKU label on the outermost packaging layer
Glass & Fragile Items
- Minimum 2" bubble wrap on all sides or molded foam insert
- "Fragile — Handle with Care" label required on outer carton
- Must pass a 36-inch drop test without breaking
- Individual poly bagging after bubble wrap to contain glass if broken
Sets & Multi-Packs
- All items shrink-wrapped or banded together as a single unit
- "Sold as Set" or "Ready to Ship" label clearly visible
- Single FNSKU for the bundle — not individual item barcodes
- Must not be easily separated; rubber bands or loose grouping rejected
Oversized Items
- Items over 18" on longest side classified as oversized
- No carton required if product has sturdy retail packaging
- Must have FNSKU on two opposite sides of the packaging
- Pallet shipments require stretch wrap and corner boards
Carton & shipment requirements
Individual units are only half the equation. Amazon also enforces strict rules on how those units are packed into cartons and shipped to fulfillment centers.
Weight Limits
| Carton Type | Max Weight | Required Label |
|---|---|---|
| Standard multi-unit carton | 50 lbs (22.7 kg) | FBA shipment label only |
| Single unit 50-100 lbs | 100 lbs (45.4 kg) | "Team Lift" |
| Single unit over 100 lbs | 150 lbs (68 kg) | "Mech Lift" |
Dimension Limits
Standard-Size Cartons
- Max length: 25 inches
- Max width: 25 inches
- Max height: 25 inches
- Minimum units: 6 per carton (preferred)
Oversized Cartons
- Max length: 25 inches
- Max width: 25 inches
- Max height: 30 inches
- Single unit OK: Yes, if item is oversized
Pallet Configuration
40" x 48"
Standard GMA pallet
72" max
Total pallet height (incl. pallet)
1,500 lbs
Maximum pallet weight
- Stretch wrap all pallets with clear wrap (no black wrap — Amazon needs to scan carton labels through it)
- Use corner boards on all four corners to prevent carton damage during transit
- Cartons must not overhang pallet edges; stack flush or slightly inset
- Four-way pallets only — Amazon forklifts need access from all sides
Shipment Plan Compliance
Every FBA shipment must follow the shipping plan created in Seller Central. This tells Amazon which products, quantities, and cartons to expect at which fulfillment center.
Top 5 FBA rejection reasons
These five issues account for the vast majority of FBA receiving rejections. Each one is entirely preventable with proper prep.
32%
Missing or Unscannable FNSKU
The FNSKU barcode is missing, damaged, placed on a curved surface, printed at low resolution, or obscured by shrink wrap. Amazon scanners cannot read the label during receiving.
How to avoid it: Print FNSKU labels at 300+ DPI on thermal paper. Place on a flat, smooth surface. Test-scan every label before shipping. Use matte laminate if products will be in humid environments.
24%
Incorrect or Missing Poly Bag
Products that require poly bagging (textiles, plush, loose items) arrive without bags, or bags lack the required suffocation warning. Amazon will not bag items for you.
How to avoid it: Poly bag all textiles, plush items, and anything with loose parts. Use bags with pre-printed suffocation warnings. Minimum 1.5 mil thickness. Seal with a lip-and-tape or heat seal.
18%
Overweight Carton (>50 lbs)
Cartons exceed Amazon's 50 lb weight limit for standard-size products. Warehouse associates are not permitted to lift cartons over 50 lbs without mechanical assistance.
How to avoid it: Weigh every carton before sealing. Use smaller boxes for dense products. If a single item exceeds 50 lbs, label the carton "Team Lift" (50-100 lbs) or "Mech Lift" (100+ lbs).
15%
Wrong Fulfillment Center
Shipment arrives at a different fulfillment center than specified in the shipping plan. This happens when sellers ship to the nearest FC instead of the one Amazon assigned.
How to avoid it: Always follow your Seller Central shipping plan exactly. Double-check the FC code (e.g., ONT8, JFK8) on every carton label. Do not redirect shipments without updating the plan first.
11%
Bundle Not Properly Secured
Multi-packs or bundles arrive with items loosely grouped, missing "Sold as Set" labels, or with individual FNSKUs visible instead of the bundle FNSKU.
How to avoid it: Shrink-wrap or securely band all items together. Apply "Sold as Set" label. Use a single bundle FNSKU and cover all individual item barcodes. The bundle must feel like one unit.
FBA Prep Checklist
Run through this checklist before every FBA shipment. If every box is checked, your shipment will pass Amazon receiving.
Labeling
Packaging
Carton & Shipment
Tip: Bookmark this page and use the interactive checklist above before each shipment. Or skip the checklist entirely and let us handle your FBA prep.
Let Us Handle It
Stop worrying about prep compliance
Every requirement on this page? We handle it. FNSKU labeling, poly bagging, suffocation warnings, carton weight limits, shipment plans — all of it. Our prep team processes thousands of units daily with 99.9% accuracy, and we ship to Amazon FCs with daily standing appointments.
- 24-hour prep turnaround (same-day before 2pm)
- 99.9% labeling and packaging accuracy
- Daily standing delivery appointments at Amazon FCs
- Source inventory from 1,200+ brands on the same platform
99.9%
Prep accuracy rate — virtually zero receiving rejections
24hr
Turnaround from receiving to ship-ready
3-5 days
From our warehouse to Amazon fulfillment centers
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Learn moreFrequently Asked Questions
What are Amazon's FNSKU labeling requirements in 2026?
What is the maximum box weight for FBA shipments?
Do I need suffocation warnings on poly bags?
What happens if Amazon rejects my FBA shipment?
How do I prep bundles and multi-packs for FBA?
What are the box size limits for FBA shipments?
Does Amazon require expiration dates on products?
Can a prep center handle all FBA requirements for me?
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