Amazon FBA Prep Checklist 2026

Amazon ended their in-house FBA prep services at the start of 2026. Sellers who relied on Amazon to apply labels, poly bag products, and otherwise prep their inventory now need to handle that themselves — or find a third-party prep center to do it for them.

Getting this wrong is expensive. Amazon charges unplanned prep fees per unit when inventory arrives at a fulfillment center without meeting their requirements. For high-volume sellers, those fees add up quickly. For smaller sellers, a single rejected shipment can derail a launch.

This checklist covers everything your inventory needs before it ships to an Amazon FC in 2026.

The Complete FBA Prep Checklist

FNSKU Labeling

Every unit must carry an FNSKU barcode — Amazon's internal tracking label, tied to your specific ASIN and seller account. This label must cover the manufacturer's original UPC so Amazon scanners read the correct identifier at intake.

• Generate FNSKU labels from Seller Central: Inventory → Manage Inventory → Print item labels
• Labels must be scannable — no wrinkles, tears, or placement over barcodes you want to preserve
• FNSKU is ASIN-specific; do not mix labels between products
• Label size: 1" x 2-5/8" is standard and accepted

Poly Bagging

Products that could pose a suffocation risk, or that Amazon requires bagged by product type, must be sealed in a poly bag before being placed in a carton. Amazon's rules:

• Poly bags with an opening of 5 inches or more must display a suffocation warning
• The warning must be printed on the bag itself or on a label affixed to the bag — not on a loose insert
• Bags must be sealed (heat sealed or sealed with tape); open-top bags are not accepted
• The FNSKU label must be visible through the bag without opening it

Bubble Wrap for Fragile Items

Fragile products — glass, ceramics, liquids, electronics — require additional protection beyond standard carton packing. Amazon's fragile item guidelines require:

• Five-sided protection (all faces covered, not just top and bottom)
• A "Fragile — This Side Up" label if orientation matters
• Items must pass a 3-foot drop test (packaged unit dropped from 3 feet on all sides without damage)

Suffocation Warning Stickers

If your product is sold in a poly bag and the bag opening is 5 inches or larger, the suffocation warning is not optional. It must be legible without requiring the customer to open the packaging. Standard warning text: "Warning: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children."

Carton Packing Per Shipment Plan

Amazon generates a shipment plan when you create an inbound shipment in Seller Central. That plan specifies which fulfillment center receives your inventory and how many units go in each carton. Deviations from the plan can cause receiving delays or rejections.

• Do not mix ASINs in a carton unless your shipment plan permits it
• Unit counts per carton must match what's in the shipment plan
• Maximum carton weight: 50 lbs (exceptions for single-unit items over 50 lbs)
• Maximum carton dimensions: 25" on any side (with exceptions for oversize)

Carton Labels

Every carton must carry an Amazon FBA box ID label — a scannable label that ties the carton to your shipment plan. This label is generated in Seller Central after you finalize your shipment. Print it, apply it to the outside of the carton (short side, upper right corner is preferred), and make sure it's not obscured by tape.

Common Mistakes That Get Shipments Rejected

Most shipment rejections and unplanned prep fee charges come down to the same recurring errors. Here are the ones that show up most often:

• FNSKU label placed over the scan area on a barcode that's also being used. Cover the UPC, not the FNSKU.
• Poly bags without a suffocation warning. Amazon will apply a label themselves and charge you for it.
• Carton contents don't match the shipment plan. Even one extra or missing unit can trigger a discrepancy report.
• Wrong carton label applied. This happens when sellers manage multiple shipments simultaneously and mix up box ID labels.
• Tape applied over the carton barcode label. The label must be fully scannable. Clear tape over it is usually fine; tape over the barcode itself is not.
• No expiration date labeling on perishables. Required for food, supplements, and any product with a shelf life.

DIY vs. Prep Center: What It Actually Costs

Many sellers start by doing their own prep. That works at low volume. As unit counts increase, the math changes.

The DIY cost looks lower until you factor in what three hours of your time is actually worth. At anything above minimum wage, the math flips. A prep center also eliminates the risk of errors that generate unplanned prep fees — which can easily exceed the cost of outsourcing in a single rejected shipment.

Ready to get your next shipment prepped correctly? Review our FBA prep service details or request a quote and we'll respond within 24 hours.