To pack and ship merchandise to Amazon might sound simple at first look, however it truly requires cautious analysis, considerate planning, and exact execution to maintain your stock transferring and out of limbo.
It’s not all about sealing up a field and slapping on a label. Amazon has guidelines and it pays to comply with them to the letter, if you wish to keep away from hitches and lacking out on gross sales.
Let’s break down the fundamentals of the Amazon pack and ship course of so that you simply’ll be 100% certain that your merchandise are the place they should be with out delays and guesswork.
FBA vs FBM
Earlier than you pack and ship your first unit, you should understand how your success mannequin impacts the whole lot from field prep to barcode placement.
Amazon FBA
Achievement by Amazon (FBA) is the popular technique for a lot of sellers. You ship your stock to Amazon’s success facilities, the place they maintain selecting, packing, and delivering every order to buyers.
FBA is environment friendly, scalable, and allows you to faucet into Prime transport perks with out managing logistics in-house.
Fulfilled by Service provider (FBM)
Fulfilled by Service provider (FBM), utilized by 43% of sellers, places the packing and transport course of squarely in your shoulders. You handle your personal stock, deal with success from your own home, workplace, or third-party warehouse, and deal immediately with returns and customer support.
Knowledge tells us that 92% of Amazon sellers use FBA in some type and 57% rely solely on FBA. Alternatively, 34% use a hybrid of each FBA and FBM.
Whereas each fashions contain choose, pack, and ship duties, the distinction is in who’s doing them:
- FBA streamlines logistics however comes with strict compliance guidelines and prep work.
- FBM gives higher management over your operations however requires constant, hands-on involvement.
FBA Necessities
Whether or not you’re utilizing lower than truckload (LTL) or full truckload (FTL) transport, or presumably nonetheless making an attempt to determine between LTL vs FTL, be sure you perceive these necessities earlier than you pack and ship something:
Packaging Necessities and Guidelines
- Bins should be robust, clear, and freed from branding unrelated to the product.
- Weight restrict. Every field should not exceed 50 lbs except a single unit weighs extra.
- Packaging field dimensions limits. Bins mustn’t measure greater than 25 inches on any aspect except you’ve obtained particular approval from Amazon.
- No combined SKUs. Every field ought to comprise just one SKU except clearly marked as combined.
- Amazon could require poly bagging for unfastened or spillable objects, bubble wrap for fragile objects, and taping for merchandise with opening lids or flaps.
- Amazon prohibits the usage of show bins, similar to these with open entrance sides or these with out high covers.
- Amazon prohibits the usage of gaylords or transport bins that match the precise dimensions of a pallet.
Amazon gives prep and labeling companies. Nonetheless, it’s essential to notice that the platform is stopping this service beginning January 1, 2026.
Labeling Necessities
- Each unit wants a scannable FNSKU label. This label tells Amazon what to promote and who it belongs to.
- Labels should be positioned flat, with out protecting barcodes or seams.
- Every field additionally wants an Amazon cargo label generated through the Ship to Amazon workflow.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to satisfy FBA’s prep and packaging requirements might result in:
- Stock being refused or disposed of
- Cargo delays
- Strikes in your account efficiency metrics
Tips on how to Use the “Ship to Amazon” Workflow
If you happen to’re utilizing Achievement by Amazon, studying find out how to pack and ship your stock by Amazon’s Ship to Amazon workflow is crucial.
This device replaces the older cargo creation course of and simplifies the way in which sellers construct their FBA transport plan, label merchandise, and guide carriers. Right here’s a walk-through of the way it works:
Select the Stock You’re Sending
Entry your Transport Queue in Vendor Central. Within the “Shipments” dropdown menu, choose Ship to Amazon to view all of your lively FBA listings.
Subsequent, select the merchandise you wish to add to your cargo. From the “Shipments” dropdown, click on Ship to Amazon. This may convey up your listing of lively FBA SKUs.
At that time, select the merchandise you plan to incorporate within the cargo. You’ll additionally choose whether or not you’re sending particular person items or utilizing manufacturer-packed circumstances (case-packed).
If you happen to’re transport particular person items, you’ll undergo a sub-step the place you verify how these items will probably be packed. That is the place Amazon choose pack and ship expectations start.
Affirm Transport Particulars
At this stage, you’ll:
- Enter the amount of items you’re sending for every SKU, then set up these objects into transport bins in line with your packing plan.
- Affirm that each one items are prepped and labeled in accordance with Amazon’s present requirements.
With Amazon not offering prep or labeling companies for FBA shipments within the U.S. beginning January 1, 2026, you’re absolutely accountable for making certain every unit is accurately ready earlier than transport.
If you happen to’re dealing with labeling your self (or through a third-party service), ensure to comply with all FNSKU label necessities:
- Each product variation (measurement, shade, situation) should have a singular FNSKU.
- The label ought to be straightforward to scan and utilized to a flat, even floor on the product.
- Any producer barcodes should be eliminated or coated to forestall scan errors.
Failing to comply with these necessities may end up in delays, rejected stock, or a further FBA choose and pack price, if Amazon must step in for unplanned companies (the place nonetheless relevant).
Print Field Labels
As soon as your merchandise are prepped, packed, and assigned to bins, Amazon will generate a field label for each. The Amazon FBA transport label consists of very important cargo information and monitoring codes.
- Labels ought to be printed on 8.5″ x 11″ paper and positioned on flat surfaces of the field, by no means on seams or edges.
- Make sure the Amazon transport label is clearly seen and simple to scan when the cargo arrives on the success middle.
Present Provider and Pallet Particulars (for Pallet Shipments Solely)
If you happen to’re transport pallets, you’ll have to:
- Affirm the variety of pallets
- Point out if you happen to’re utilizing an Amazon-partnered provider or a non-partnered freight service
- Present pallet dimensions and weight
Selecting an Amazon partnered provider could make this step extra environment friendly, notably for LTL shipments.
Print Pallet Labels
For partnered LTL shipments, Amazon will present 4 pallet labels per pallet. Print and connect them securely on all sides of the pallet for clear visibility.
Present Monitoring (if Not Utilizing a Partnered Provider)
If you happen to opted for a non-partnered provider, you’ll be accountable for getting into monitoring particulars manually. This is applicable to each small parcel and pallet shipments.
How FBM Sellers Pack and Ship to Prospects
If you happen to’re utilizing FBM, meaning you’re accountable for the complete choose, pack and ship course of from begin to end. To do it proper:
- Use sturdy packaging that protects your merchandise in transit.
- Embody a packing slip if doable, and by no means add advertising inserts.
- Print transport labels utilizing Amazon Purchase Transport or a trusted provider.
- Add monitoring promptly to maintain your account in good standing.
Many FBM sellers streamline success by outsourcing to choose pack and ship companies or utilizing third-party transport software program.
Widespread Errors and Tips on how to Keep away from Them
A survey discovered that quick transport is among the many high essential elements amongst U.S. web shoppers:
That mentioned, your success high quality immediately influences whether or not clients select your itemizing over one other. If you happen to mislabel a unit, overfill a field, or delay restocking due to prep errors, you threat:
- Slower supply occasions
- Missed Prime eligibility
- Poor monitoring knowledge
- Elevated returns
Listed here are some frequent errors sellers make when packing and transport merchandise to Amazon, together with sensible tricks to keep away from them:
Skipping or Incorrectly Finishing the Inbound Cargo Plan
Some sellers rush by or skip vital components of the inbound cargo plan, similar to confirming portions, prep sorts, or labeling choices. This may result in incorrect routing, delayed check-ins, or items being mislabeled or rejected.
- Tips on how to keep away from it. Rigorously evaluation every part of your Ship to Amazon workflow. Use a guidelines to confirm right SKU portions, applicable prep directions, and correct labeling for each merchandise.
Putting A number of SKUs in One Field With out Correctly Labeling It as Combined
Together with totally different SKUs in the identical transport field with out indicating that it incorporates combined contents can confuse Amazon’s receiving staff, resulting in delays, stock errors, and even cargo rejection.
- Tips on how to keep away from it. If you happen to’re transport totally different SKUs in a single field, choose “combined SKU” in your cargo plan and label the field accordingly. Higher but, maintain SKUs separated except completely crucial.
Improper or Lacking FNSKU Labels
Every unit should have a singular, scannable FNSKU. Making use of it incorrectly or skipping it may end up in misrouted stock and check-in delays.
- Tips on how to keep away from it. All the time place FNSKU labels on flat surfaces. Cowl or take away producer barcodes.
The Lowdown
To pack and ship your merchandise to Amazon the best manner means stopping delays and delivering a stellar buyer expertise. The hot button is compliance, consistency, and staying forward of shifting insurance policies, just like the phase-out of Amazon’s prep and labeling companies in 2026.
And if all of this feels like a logistical maze? That’s the place AMZ Advisers are available. From compliance to advertising and different essential sides of your small business, out Amazon promoting consultants can take the stress off your plate.
Creator
Carla Bauto Deña is a journalist and content material author producing tales for conventional and digital media. She believes in empowering small companies with the assistance of revolutionary options, similar to ecommerce, digital advertising, and knowledge analytics.
