Amazon ended their in-house FBA prep services at the start of 2026. That means every seller who was relying on Amazon to apply FNSKU labels, poly bag products, and prep shipments now needs a third-party prep center.
For Illinois sellers, this change created both a problem and an opportunity. The problem: you need a new prep partner fast. The opportunity: third-party prep centers — especially regional ones like Rapid Packager in Carbondale — are often faster, cheaper, and more communicative than Amazon ever was.
Here's what you need to know.
Amazon has specific requirements for every product that enters a fulfillment center. If your product doesn't meet those requirements, Amazon will either refuse it, charge you an unplanned prep fee, or hold your shipment. Here's what prep typically involves:
Miss any of these steps and you risk unplanned prep fees — which Amazon charges per unit, and they're not cheap.
Third-party prep center pricing varies. Many charge per service, which means your invoice can get complicated fast. Here's how the market looks and where Rapid Packager sits:
| Service | Market Range | Rapid Packager |
|---|---|---|
| FNSKU Labeling | $0.10–$0.55/unit | Included in all-in rate |
| Poly Bagging | $0.70–$2.55/unit | Included in all-in rate |
| Bubble Wrap | $0.75–$1.50/unit | Included in all-in rate |
| Carton Labels | $0.10–$0.30/unit | Included in all-in rate |
| Total (all steps) | $1.65–$4.90/unit | $0.60/unit flat |
The all-in model matters. When you pay per service, a complex product can cost $3–5/unit in prep fees alone. Our flat $0.60/unit covers everything standard prep requires.
FNSKU labels come from your Amazon Seller Central account. Here's how to get them:
Important: FNSKU labels are ASIN-specific. A label for one ASIN cannot be used on a different product. Double-check before sending.
Per-service pricing sounds cheaper until you add it up. Ask any prep center for an all-in quote before you commit.
If Amazon receives a damaged or short shipment and you don't have photos of packed cartons, you have no recourse. A good prep center photographs every carton before sealing. We do.
Your Amazon shipment plan dictates which FC your inventory goes to, how many units per carton, and which carton labels to apply. A prep center that doesn't follow the plan creates problems at receiving. Ask how they handle shipment plan details.
Most standard prep jobs should complete within 1–3 business days after inventory arrives. If a prep center can't commit to a timeline, keep looking.
Will they confirm receipt of your inventory? Notify you of discrepancies? Send tracking when the shipment leaves? Ask explicitly before you start.
Rapid Packager handles FBA prep for Amazon sellers from our Carbondale, IL facility. FNSKU labels, poly bags, bubble wrap, carton labels — all covered at one flat rate. 250-unit minimum, quote in 24 hours.
