If you’re preparing your first FBA shipment, packaging might feel like a small detail. But Amazon doesn’t see it that way.
Mess this up, and your products could be delayed, damaged, or rejected altogether.
The good news? Packaging for Amazon FBA is straightforward once you know what Amazon expects. And if you follow these guidelines from the start, you’ll avoid chargebacks, reduce returns, and make a smooth entrance into the world of Amazon fulfillment.
Why FBA Packaging Rules Matter
Amazon’s Fulfillment Centers aren’t exactly gentle. Your product will likely pass through conveyor belts, get stacked on pallets, moved by forklifts, and stored in bins — sometimes for months.
If your item isn’t packaged correctly, it can:
- Arrive damaged (resulting in poor reviews or removals)
- Trigger a non-compliance warning
- Be delayed or rejected at check-in
- Cost you extra with repackaging fees or returns
And Amazon will not take responsibility if your packaging didn’t follow their guidelines.
FBA Packaging Basics: What Amazon Expects
Amazon provides a detailed FBA packaging and prep requirements guide (bookmark that — it’s gold), but here’s what matters most:
1. Each Unit Must Be Individually Protected
Your product can’t just be thrown into a box with 20 others. Each item must be:
- Bagged, boxed, or shrink-wrapped
- Protected from dust and moisture
- Able to withstand being dropped from waist height
If your item has multiple parts, keep them together in one package.
2. Use the Right Poly Bags
If your product is in a poly bag:
- It must be transparent
- Bags over 5” must have a suffocation warning
- The bag must be sealed and not easily opened
- No loose or excessive excess plastic
Amazon employees are trained to reject items that feel unsafe or messy.
3. Don’t Obscure Barcodes
Each unit needs a scannable barcode (either manufacturer UPC or Amazon FNSKU). Make sure:
- Labels are placed on a flat, scannable surface
- Nothing is covering the barcode (especially shrink-wrap seams or folds)
- The barcode corresponds to the correct ASIN
If Amazon can’t scan it, they won’t accept it.
FBA Packaging Checklist
Here’s a simple checklist to follow before sending out your shipment:
- Each unit is sealed and dustproof
- Fragile items are bubble-wrapped or double-boxed
- Suffocation warnings are applied to all bags over 5″
- Barcode is visible and scannable
- No personal branding or promotional inserts unless approved
- Products won’t leak, melt, or degrade in transit
- Everything fits snugly in the box — no shifting
- The box itself is unbranded, sturdy, and in good condition
- No hazardous materials or unapproved items included
- Prepped items are correctly labeled (e.g. “Sold as Set,” “Ready to Ship”)
Still not sure if your prep is compliant? You can use Amazon’s Prep Guidance Tool to check requirements by product type.
Common Packaging Mistakes That Get Sellers Flagged
Even experienced sellers mess this up. Here are the top issues we’ve seen:
- Labels stuck to curved or uneven surfaces
- Multiple items loosely packed in one bag
- No warning labels on polybags
- Products that leak or get crushed
- Outer boxes that arrive damaged or reused from another brand
Avoid these, and you’re already ahead of most first-time FBA sellers.
Bonus Tip: Prep Services vs. DIY
If you’re shipping hundreds of units or just hate logistics, there are plenty of FBA prep services that will do this for you — including poly bagging, labeling, bundling, and even freight forwarding.
Just remember: even if you outsource it, you’re still responsible for compliance.
Need Help Navigating Your First Shipment?
We’ve worked with dozens of sellers who thought packaging was the easy part — until their shipment got flagged, delayed, or worse.
At Space Command, we help new and scaling brands set up FBA the right way. That includes listing optimization, compliance support, and prepping your product to meet Amazon’s standards from day one.
Need a second set of eyes before you ship?
Let’s talk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use branded boxes when shipping to FBA?
No. Amazon requires neutral, unbranded packaging for FBA inventory.
Do I need a suffocation warning on all bags?
Only bags larger than 5 inches in opening need them — but adding it as a standard practice can save time and risk.
What happens if I don’t follow packaging guidelines?
Amazon may delay, reject, or destroy your inventory — and charge you for it.
Can I bundle items together?
Yes, but they must be clearly labeled as “Sold as Set” and sealed so they’re not separated in the warehouse.