Amazon FBA Prep Requirements: 2026 Seller Checklist

Amazon FBA prep requirements are the rules every unit must meet before it reaches a fulfillment center: a scannable barcode on each unit, the right protective packaging (poly bags, bubble wrap or boxes), “Sold as set” labels on bundles, expiration dates on dated products, and boxes that meet Amazon’s size and weight limits.

Since January 1, 2026, Amazon no longer preps or labels FBA inventory in the US, so getting these rules right is now fully on you or your prep center. This checklist walks through each requirement in plain language, with the mistakes that most often cause problems at receiving.

What are Amazon FBA prep requirements?

FBA prep requirements are Amazon’s packaging and labeling rules for inventory sent to its warehouses. They make sure every unit can be scanned, stored and shipped to a customer without damage or mix-ups.

Every unit needs a barcode Amazon can scan. Beyond that, the prep a product needs depends on what it is. A paperback book may need only a label, while a glass bottle needs bubble wrap and a bag, and a three-pack needs to be bundled and marked as a set. Amazon lists the prep needed for each product category in its Seller Central prep guidance.

When you create a shipment, Seller Central shows prep guidance for each SKU. Treat it as a starting point and check it against the real product in your hands.

Amazon FBA prep requirements checklist

Use this checklist on every shipment before you seal the boxes. If a line doesn’t apply to your product, skip it.

Requirement	What to check
Unit barcode	Every unit has one scannable barcode (FNSKU or approved manufacturer barcode). Other barcodes are covered.
Poly bags	Transparent, at least 1.5 mil thick, sealed, with a suffocation warning if the opening is 5 inches or more.
Fragile items	Bubble wrapped or boxed so they survive a drop and don’t break other items.
Sets and bundles	Items held together and labeled “Sold as set” or “This is a set. Do not separate.”
Expiration dates	Date on each unit and the outer box, in MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY format, 36-point font or larger on the box.
Liquids, sharp and loose items	Sealed, protected and contained so nothing leaks, cuts or falls apart.
Shipping boxes	Within Amazon’s size and weight limits, with FBA box labels and accurate box contents.

What are the FBA barcode and labeling requirements?

Every unit must carry one barcode that Amazon can scan, either an Amazon FNSKU label or an eligible manufacturer barcode. If you use an FNSKU label, any other scannable barcode on the unit must be covered.

• Print clearly. Use a thermal or laser printer and white, removable labels. Faded or smudged barcodes cause scanning problems.
• Place it flat. Put the label on a flat surface, not over a curve, edge or seam.
• Cover old barcodes. Hide the manufacturer UPC with the FNSKU label or a blank sticker so only one barcode scans.
• Label the outside. If a product is bagged or boxed, the barcode must be on the outside and readable without opening it.
• Match the product. Double-check that each label belongs to the right SKU and condition. Mislabeled units are one of the most common receiving problems.

What are Amazon’s poly bag requirements?

Poly bags used for FBA must be transparent, at least 1.5 mil thick and fully sealed. Bags with an opening of 5 inches or more (measured flat) need a suffocation warning printed on the bag or attached as a label.

The warning text must be easy to read, and Amazon sets a minimum font size based on the bag’s size. Larger bags need larger text. Buying bags with the warning pre-printed saves a labeling step and avoids mistakes.

Use poly bags for items that could get dirty, damaged or separated: clothing, soft goods, small loose parts and many sets. Keep the bag snug so the product doesn’t slide around, and make sure the barcode can be scanned through the bag or is placed on the outside.

How do you prep sets, bundles and multipacks?

Items sold together must stay together. Bag, box or shrink wrap them as one unit and add a “Sold as set” or “This is a set. Do not separate” label so warehouse staff don’t split them up.

• Give the set its own ASIN and FNSKU.
• Cover the barcodes on the individual items inside, so only the set barcode scans.
• Make sure the set label is visible on the outside of the packaging.

Bundles are one of the easiest places to make costly mistakes. If the individual barcodes stay visible, a single item can be received and sold as the whole set.

Short on time to prep every shipment? RankVyn handles labeling, poly bagging, bundling and box prep for Amazon sellers. Get a free prep quote

What are the rules for expiration-dated products?

Products that expire need the expiration date on each unit and on the outer box. Amazon accepts the MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY format, and the date on the box must be in 36-point font or larger.

If the date on your packaging uses a different format, cover it with a label in the correct format. Medical devices follow a different format, and expiration-dated inventory also needs an Amazon barcode label in most cases. Amazon explains these rules on its expiration-dated FBA products page.

Keep units with different expiration dates in separate boxes. Mixing dates in one carton makes receiving harder and can lead to problems.

How should you prep fragile, liquid and sharp items?

Fragile items need enough protection to survive a drop, liquids need sealed containers that can’t leak, and sharp items must be covered so they can’t cut anyone or anything.

• Fragile items such as glass, ceramics and electronics: bubble wrap or box each unit so it can’t touch other items.
• Liquids: make sure caps are sealed. Bag liquids that could leak if the cap loosens.
• Sharp items: cover all sharp edges with protective packaging so they don’t poke through.
• Small or loose items: bag or box them so parts don’t get separated or lost.
• Adult products: use opaque packaging when the product shows nudity or adult content.

What are the shipping box requirements?

Use sturdy boxes that close fully, stay within Amazon’s size and weight limits, and carry the right FBA box labels. Boxes over 50 lb need “Team Lift” labels, unless they hold a single oversize item.

Amazon publishes the current maximum box dimensions and weights in its shipping and routing requirements. Check that page before you order boxes, since Amazon has adjusted these limits over time.

• Use a strong corrugated box that isn’t damaged, and pack it so items don’t shift.
• Fill empty space with air pillows, paper or bubble wrap.
• Put one FBA box ID label on each box, away from seams and edges.
• Enter accurate box weight, dimensions and contents in Seller Central.
• Don’t strap or tape several boxes together.

What happens if inventory isn’t prepped correctly?

Non-compliant inventory can be delayed, flagged at receiving or charged extra fees. Since January 1, 2026, units that arrive without proper prep and labeling are also not eligible for reimbursement if they’re damaged or can’t be traced.

That makes prep mistakes more expensive than before. A few minutes checking each shipment against the list above costs far less than lost units or a stuck shipment. If you’re weighing whether to do this yourself, see our breakdown of what an FBA prep center costs.

How to prep an FBA shipment step by step

Work through these steps in order for every shipment. Once your team follows the same routine each time, mistakes drop quickly.

1. Check prep guidance in Seller Central for every SKU in the shipment.
2. Inspect the products for damage, wrong items and expiration dates.
3. Apply protective packaging: poly bags, bubble wrap, boxes or set bundling.
4. Label each unit with the correct barcode and cover any extra barcodes.
5. Add warning and set labels where needed.
6. Pack the boxes within size and weight limits, keeping expiration dates separate.
7. Enter box contents, weights and dimensions, then print and apply box labels.
8. Do a final scan of a few units per SKU to confirm the right label is on the right product.

Good prep keeps inventory moving. Once it’s selling, your listings and ads decide how fast it sells. See our Amazon PPC tips to lower ACoS for the next step.

FAQ

What are the basic Amazon FBA prep requirements?

Every unit needs one scannable barcode, protective packaging if it could be damaged or separated, a “Sold as set” label if it’s a bundle, and an expiration date in the right format if it expires. Shipping boxes must meet Amazon’s size, weight and labeling rules.

Does Amazon still prep FBA products for sellers?

No. Starting January 1, 2026, Amazon stopped offering prep and item labeling services for FBA shipments in the US. Sellers must prep and label inventory themselves or use a third-party prep center before shipping to Amazon.

Do all poly bags need a suffocation warning?

Amazon requires a suffocation warning on poly bags with an opening of 5 inches or more, measured flat. The warning can be printed on the bag or added as a label, and the minimum font size depends on the bag’s size. Bags must also be transparent and at least 1.5 mil thick.

How do I label products with expiration dates for FBA?

Put the expiration date on each unit and on the outer box in MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY format. The date on the box must be in 36-point font or larger. Cover any date printed in a different format, and keep different expiration dates in separate boxes.

Can I use the manufacturer barcode instead of an FNSKU?

Some products can use an eligible manufacturer barcode, but many sellers use FNSKU labels so their units are tracked separately from other sellers’. If you use an FNSKU, cover the manufacturer barcode so only one barcode can be scanned.

What happens if my FBA shipment isn’t prepped correctly?

Your shipment may be delayed, flagged at receiving or charged extra fees. For shipments created after January 1, 2026, units that arrive without proper prep and labeling also lose reimbursement eligibility if they’re damaged or can’t be traced.

Conclusion: Prep it right once

Amazon FBA prep requirements come down to a few habits: one clear barcode per unit, the right protective packaging, labeled sets, correct expiration dates and compliant boxes. Build them into a routine and check every shipment against this list.

If prep is taking time away from growing your business, RankVyn’s warehouse prep services can handle it for you, from labeling and poly bagging to bundles and box prep. Want help with your next shipment? Request a free prep quote.