Prep for FBA: Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Amazon Packaging & Labelling

Selling on Amazon FBA can transform your e-commerce business, but only if your products are prepared and packaged correctly. Amazon has strict requirements for every item entering its fulfilment centres. A missed barcode, oversized box, or poorly sealed liquid could result in delays, added fees, or even rejected inventory.

If you’re a seller in the UK, navigating these rules can feel daunting. That’s where prep for FBA comes in. Whether you handle it yourself or use a professional prep centre like Best Prep UK, understanding the standards is essential to protect your bottom line.

This step-by-step guide breaks down Amazon’s FBA prep and packaging requirements. We’ll cover everything from labelling and packaging types to shipment creation and pallet regulations. Along the way, we’ll share practical tips, examples, and insider advice to help you avoid costly mistakes.

What Does Prep for FBA Mean?

Prep for FBA refers to the process of getting your products ready for Amazon’s fulfilment centres. This includes:

• Ensuring each unit meets Amazon’s packaging and labelling rules.

• Protecting products against damage during storage and shipping.

• Applying scannable barcodes (FNSKU or ASIN labels).

• Creating compliant shipments with the correct dimensions, weights, and labels.

In short, it’s the bridge between your supplier or manufacturer and Amazon’s warehouse shelves. Done right, prep for FBA ensures that your inventory arrives in perfect condition, gets processed quickly, and is eligible for Prime delivery.

Why Proper Prep for FBA Matters

Amazon enforces these standards for three main reasons:

1. Operational efficiency – standardised packaging helps warehouse staff process orders at speed.

2. Customer satisfaction – well-prepped items reduce the chances of damage, returns, or negative reviews.

3. Seller compliance – meeting requirements prevents penalties, delays, and storage issues.

Consider this: research shows that poorly prepped products can increase return rates by over 20%. For UK sellers where margins are often tight, failing to follow Amazon’s rules could mean lost revenue and lower seller performance scores.

Step 1: Product Labelling – FNSKU and Placement

Every product sold through Amazon FBA must carry a unique identifier: the FNSKU label. This ensures Amazon can link inventory directly to your seller account.

• Label size: Minimum 1” x 2” for clear visibility.

• Placement: Stick to a flat, scannable surface; never on seams, corners, or curved edges.

• Print quality: Use laser or thermal printers (avoid inkjets, which may smudge).

  
  

💡 Expert tip: If you’re selling multipacks or bundles, always include a “Sold as Set – Do Not Separate” label to prevent Amazon splitting items.

At Best Prep UK, we apply and check every label with precision, ensuring no barcode is missed or obscured.

Step 2: Packaging Standards for Different Products

Amazon separates products into prep categories depending on their risk level and handling needs. Let’s break them down:

Apparel, Textiles, and Plush Items

• Must be sealed in clear polybags.

• Bags require a suffocation warning if the opening is over 5 inches.

• Barcode should be visible without unwrapping.

Fragile or Glass Products

• Wrap securely in bubble wrap or box-in-box packaging.

• Must withstand a 3-foot drop test.

• Clearly marked as “fragile.”

Liquids

• Containers over 16 oz need double seals or must be enclosed in a sealed polybag.

• No leaks should occur, even under pressure.

Sharp or Hazardous Items

• Edges must be covered with bubble wrap or boxed to eliminate injury risk.

• Hazardous goods require compliance with Dangerous Goods regulations.

By categorising correctly and applying the right materials, sellers prevent breakage and non-compliance fees.

Step 3: Amazon FBA Weight and Size Limits

Understanding Amazon’s weight and size restrictions is critical when planning shipments.

• Per Unit Limit: 50 lbs (unless oversized rules apply).

• Per Carton Limit: 150 lbs maximum.

• Box Dimensions: No box can exceed 25” x 25” x 30”.

For heavier items:

• Boxes between 50–100 lbs require a “Team Lift” label.

• Over 100 lbs requires a “Mechanical Lift” label.

Ignoring these guidelines can result in refused deliveries or hefty surcharges.

Step 4: Shipment Creation – The Send to Amazon Process

Once your items are prepped, you’ll need to create a shipment plan in Seller Central.

1. Choose shipment type: New inventory or replenishment.

2. Enter product details: Quantities, SKUs, and packaging type (individual vs case-packed).

3. Box content information: Amazon requires carton-level detail.

4. Generate labels: Each box must carry an Amazon box ID label and a carrier shipping label.

💡 Insider insight: Many UK sellers trip up here by failing to declare carton contents correctly. Amazon may fine or delay processing if you skip this step.

Step 5: Delivery Methods – SPD, LTL, and FTL

Amazon accepts three types of delivery into its UK fulfilment centres:

Small Parcel Delivery (SPD)

• Up to 200 units per shipment with Amazon-partnered carriers.

• Each box labelled individually.

• Ideal for lighter, smaller shipments.

Less than Truckload (LTL)

• Multiple boxes on wooden pallets.

• Pallets must meet GMA Grade B or higher standard.

• Height capped at 72” (or 100” for double-stacked).

Full Truckload (FTL)

• For very large consignments.

• Pallet and labelling standards identical to LTL, but covers an entire truck.

At Best Prep UK, we handle both SPD and palletised shipments, ensuring full compliance with Amazon’s delivery guidelines.

Step 6: Labelling for Shipments

Shipment labels are as critical as product labels. Amazon requires three main types:

1. Box ID labels – generated in Seller Central, unique per carton.

2. Pallet labels – four per pallet, placed in the centre of each side.

3. Shipping labels – from your chosen carrier, must not overlap with Amazon labels.

💡 Pro tip: Always print labels on 4” x 6” stickers for optimal scanning at fulfilment centres.

Common Mistakes in Prep for FBA (and How to Avoid Them)

• Incorrect barcodes: Using manufacturer UPCs instead of FNSKUs.

• Overweight cartons: Exceeding 50 lbs without applying safety labels.

• Poor dunnage: Using packing peanuts (prohibited) instead of air pillows or paper.

• Unclear sets: Bundled items not labelled as “Sold as Set.”

• Mislabelling pallets: Missing one of the four required pallet ID labels.

Avoiding these errors saves sellers time, money, and headaches.

FAQs on Prep for FBA

Do I need to polybag every product?No – only certain items like textiles, plush toys, or liquids that could spill or be damaged.

What if I don’t prep correctly?Amazon may charge you a per-unit prep fee, delay your inventory, or reject your shipment entirely.

Can I outsource prep for FBA in the UK?Yes. Many sellers partner with specialists like Best Prep UK to handle labelling, packaging, and shipment creation, ensuring full compliance without the stress.

Are Amazon’s requirements the same worldwide?Not always. While the core rules are consistent, the UK marketplace has specific pallet standards, weight limits, and carrier options.

Why Use Best Prep UK for FBA Prep Services?

At Best Prep UK, we specialise in supporting Amazon sellers with compliant, efficient, and cost-effective prep for FBA.

Our services include:

• Professional labelling (FNSKU, set, fragile, hazard).

• Polybagging, bubble wrapping, and carton prep.

• Shipment creation and box content uploads.

• SPD, LTL, and pallet compliance for Amazon UK.

  
  

By outsourcing prep for FBA to us, you can focus on scaling your business while we handle the operational details.

Final Thoughts

Amazon’s prep and packaging requirements can feel overwhelming at first, but once you understand the categories, weight limits, and labelling rules, the process becomes far more manageable.

The golden rule is simple: every product must arrive ready to ship directly to the customer. Get it wrong, and you risk delays, penalties, and unhappy buyers. Get it right, and you unlock the speed, scale, and reliability of the Amazon FBA network.

If you’d rather avoid the trial and error, let Best Prep UK take care of your prep for FBA. Our expert team ensures your inventory arrives at Amazon’s fulfilment centres correctly packaged, labelled, and compliant every time.

📞 Contact Best Prep UK today to streamline your FBA prep and start selling with confidence.