Some products require specific preparation so they arrive at Amazon fulfilment centres in the best condition. Prep guidance for many products is available in the Prepare products step as you create your shipment. You can also have Amazon do the prep for you for a per-item fee.
The shipment creation workflow allows you to create a shipment to our fulfilment centres in these six easy steps:
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Set quantity for shipments to Amazon
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Prepare your products for FBA shipping
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Label your products
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Review/view shipments to Amazon
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Prepare shipment to Amazon
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Summary of shipment process
FBA prep service
If you want Amazon to prepare your products for you, select Amazon in the Who preps? column. For more information about the per-item cost, refer to FBA Prep Service.
Important: FBA can prep only products that have a single UPC or EAN that corresponds to an ASIN in Amazon’s product catalogue.
Even if you sign up for the FBA Prep Service, package your products so they will arrive safely at the fulfilment centre. Package fragile, glass and sharp items in such a way that they arrive intact and that fulfilment centre associates can handle them safely.
Important: If you do not select Amazon in the Who preps? column, you are responsible for ensuring that your products meet all FBA prep requirements for shipping.
Prep required
The Prep required tab on the Prepare products page has guidance for items that have specific preparation requirements.
If you think the requirements for the product you have listed are not appropriate or essential, click on Investigate to start a review.
Important: Items that have not been prepared according to the requirements will be subject to charges for unplanned prep services at the fulfilment centre. Learn more about
unplanned services fees.
Prep requirements may include:
Poly bagging
Products that require poly bagging should be completely sealed in a clear polyethylene bag that is at least 1.5 mil (0.0254 mm) thick. Make sure the barcode can be scanned through the bag or place a barcode label on the outside.
Note: Adult products must be packaged using black, opaque poly bagging or shrink wrap. Bags that have an opening that measures more than 5 inches when laid flat must have a suffocation warning printed on or affixed to the bag in a prominent location and in a legible font size.
Poly bagging may be required to:
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Prevent leaks or spills from damaging other items in the shipment – usually for liquids and powders
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Protect items from dust or dirt
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Prevent loose items from being separated, such as individual items being sold as a set
For more information about specific product categories that may require poly bagging, refer to:
Packaging pellets, powders and granular products
Packaging liquids, pastes, gels and creams
Packaging plush units
Packaging clothing, fabric and textiles
Packaging jewellery
Packaging small products
Packaging batteries
Packaging sharp products
Bubble wrap
Products that require bubble wrap must:
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Be tightly wrapped and taped shut so the product cannot fall out
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Have a scannable barcode label on the outside
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Be able to pass a 125 cm drop test on a hard surface without the contents breaking. A drop test consists of five drops:
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Flat on the base
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Flap on top
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Flat on the longest side
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Flat on the shortest side
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On a corner
Bubble wrap may be required because the item is:
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Fragile and could be easily damaged during transit
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Heavy or dense and could damage other items during transit
For more information, refer to Packaging glass, ceramic, breakable and fragile units.
Note: Products that expire and are contained in packaging that requires additional prep, such as glass jars or bottles, must be prepped to ensure that fulfilment centre associates can see the expiry date. For more information, refer to
Expiry-dated FBA inventory.
Overboxing
We may require overboxing when there are safety concerns over shipping and handling. Overboxing generally involves placing a prepared or packaged product in a box for added protection (even if the product is already boxed). For products over 10 lb (4.5 kg), use double-wall corrugated boxes for overboxing.
Overboxing is required for the following types of products:
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Sharp items that may puncture packaging materials
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Fragile items that failed a 125 cm drop test after bubble wrap was applied or that may be damaged during shipping and handling
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Hazardous liquids in glass containers over 125 ml
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Vinyl records
Tape
Products with this requirement need additional taping beyond what might normally be used to seal a box or poly bag or secure bubble wrap around an item.
Extra taping may be required if the item:
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Might fall out of its packaging if the container is not taped shut
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Might leak if the lid is not taped in place
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Needs tape to be fully sealed within the container
Prep may be required
Click on the Prep may be required tab to see products for which prep guidance is not available. This may be because the product has not been sent in before or has not been classified as having a specific prep requirement.
If you know the prep required for those products, click on Choose category in the Prep guidance column, and from the drop-down list select the prep category that best suits your product.
If your product does not require additional prep, you can select No prep required.
The prep categories are:
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Baby products: includes plush toys and other products for children 3 and under, such as teddy bears, dummies and baby bottles.
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Sharp : includes items that have sharp edges or are pointed, such as knives, scissors and some tools.
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Fragile/glass : includes items that can break or shatter, such as glassware, china and picture frames.
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Clothing, fabric, plush and textiles : includes products made of cloth or textiles, including clothing not on hangers, blankets and linens.
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Small: includes products smaller than 2⅛ inches (5.4 cm) on the longest side, such as jewellery, keyrings and flash drives.
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Adult: includes products displaying potentially offensive material, including explicit magazines and films.
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Liquids : includes liquids or gels of more than 125 ml in plastic bottles or jars, such as liquid soap, sprays and lotions. Treat liquids in glass bottles or jars as fragile.
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Powder, pellets and granular : includes powders, scented home products and powdered detergents.
Next steps
After you have reviewed all of the prep guidance, click on Continue.