Inbound performance summary

We group similar problems together. For example:

• Safety issues – box-related
• Label missing – box-related

Defect rate calculation and Coaching level escalations based on Problem Group

Boxes should not exceed the standard 23 kg, unless they contain one single oversized item that exceeds 23 kg.

Individual cartons weighing more than 15 kg must be marked Heavy Package (viewable from both the top and sides of each heavy-weight container). Cartons weighing more than 23 kg must be broken down into smaller shipment weights.

See Shipping and routing requirements

Weigh and measure your boxes before sending them to an Amazon fulfilment centre.

Carton dimensions should not exceed 63.5 cm on any side, unless the dimension of a single deliverable unit exceeds 63.5 cm in itself.

For additional information, see Shipping and routing requirements

Package batteries and hard drives to prevent shocks, short circuits or sparking.

• Batteries must be packaged so that their terminals do not touch during any part of the fulfilment process. Unprotected battery terminals can lead to short circuits or potential sparking.
• Hard drives and all other shock-sensitive units must be packaged individually in protective material (such as bubble wrap). For more information, see Packaging requirements

For additional information including how-to videos, see

• Dangerous goods identification guide
• Packaging batteries
• Requirements for lithium batteries and products that contain lithium batteries

Sharp items must be packaged so that the sharp or pointed edge will not become exposed during any part of the fulfilment process.

• Sharp items: the blades must be covered to prevent sharp objects from being accidentally left in boxes.
• Fragile items: must be packaged in either a solid six-sided box, or completely secured in bubble wrap, so that the items are not exposed in any way.

Ensure that the outer packaging does not have sharp edges or corners.

For additional information and how-to videos, see:

• Packaging sharp units
• Packaging glass, ceramic, breakable, and fragile units

One or more products in your shipment contained a product that can spill. This includes:

• liquids
• pellets
• powders
• granulars
• loose products

Products that can spill may cause damage during shipping and when stored

• Liquids: Products containing liquids without a double seal, including viscous products (such as honey), must be packaged securely to avoid the product from spilling

For more information, see Packaging Products Containing Liquids.

Dry Goods: have to pass the Vigorous Shaking test (the package must not leak pellets or granular material after 30 seconds of vigorous shaking).

For drop-test instructions and additional information, see Packaging Pellets, Powders, and Granular products.

Products that are contained in loose packaging, such as sleeves, pouches or unsecured bags or boxes, may be separated during the fulfilment process.

• Loose Products: Loose products require bagging, or need to be secured with a non-adhesive band or removable tape.

For more information, including a how-to video, see Loose Products

Stacking

• Stack boxes on your pallets to ensure that they can be properly unloaded and received.
• Place heavier boxes at the bottom, so that they do not damage boxes containing lighter products beneath them.
• Stacked pallets should be able to stand on their own without the help of associates or stretch-wrap.

Weights and dimensions

• Single pallets must not be taller than 180 cm, including the height of the pallet
• Amazon only accepts the following types of pallet:

  In all EU countries – 800x1200 mm Euro/CHEP certified DIN 15146

  In the United Kingdom only – 1000x1200 mm 4-way access wood pallets, GMA grade B or higher.

• The contents must not overhang the pallet edge
• The total weight of the pallet must not exceed 500 kg

Packaging and labelling

• All pallets must be wrapped in plastic with a "do not break stretch-wrap" or "do not break down" notification to the carrier.
• Each box on the pallet needs its own FBA shipment label. In addition, each pallet needs four labels in the top centre of each side of the pallet.
• Once the pallet is wrapped, place a shipment label squarely in the top centre on all four sides of the pallet.
• Boxes must not be secured or bundled together using plastic straps or tape.

For more information, see Arranging for an LTL or Truck Load Delivery to Amazon.

Shipping and routing requirements

The following packing materials are not allowed:

• All types of packing peanuts
• Crinkle wrap
• Shredded paper

Accepted packing materials include:

• Foam sheets or cushioning
• Air pillows
• Full sheets of paper

Also see Shipping and routing requirements.

One or more boxes in your shipment did not include its own FBA shipment label or the FBA shipment label cannot be scanned.

Each box or pallet that you send to a fulfilment centre must have a shipment label. Make sure that your shipment ID labels are uncovered, fully visible and scannable before sending your shipments to Amazon Fulfilment Centres.

Label requirements

• Print the full set of labels. Because each label is unique, do not photocopy, reuse, or modify labels for use on additional boxes
• Each box you include in the shipment must have its own FBA shipment label. In addition, each pallet that you send needs four labels, one in the top centre of each side.
• These labels must be printed from your Shipping Queue. As an alternative, you can create your own labels, but they must match the Amazon MWS Fulfilment API Developer Guide specifications for creating your own shipping labels.
• If you are shipping multiple case-packs in a master carton, apply the unique shipping label on the master carton that you are using to ship the products to the Amazon fulfilment centre.
• You do not need to apply the unique shipping labels to the individual case packs inside the master carton.
• If your shipment is in pallets, you must ensure that each box on the pallet has its own FBA shipment label. This is in addition to the four labels in the top centre of each side of the pallet.

Label dimensions and placement

• Labels must respect the supported measure
• The FBA shipment label and the carrier label (UPS, FedEx or other) should both be placed on a flat surface of the box.
• Both labels must remain uncovered. Do not place labels on a seam, over an opening of the box or over edges or corners, as they will be damaged when the box is opened.

For more information, see Send FBA inventory to Amazon

Shipment Label Requirements

• If you chose to use an Amazon barcode when you created a listing for a product to be fulfilled by Amazon, you must put the correct X00 label on the product. You can print Amazon barcodes from the Label Products page when you create a shipment or at any time from the Manage Inventory page.
• Make sure the label title matches the corresponding unit, and label your units one at a time.
• Cover the entire original manufacturer barcode with your X00 label, and make sure the barcode is visible so it can be scanned at the fulfilment centre.
• For more information, see Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory.

• Make sure your products have a physical barcode (GCID, UPC, EAN, JAN or ISBN) that is visible so it can be scanned at the fulfilment centre.
• If an ASIN qualifies for tracking by the manufacturer barcode but does not have a physical barcode, you can print labels by going to the Inventory Amazon Fulfils page and selecting Print item labels from the Action on drop-down menu.
• Make sure the label title matches the corresponding unit, and label your units one at a time.
• For more information, see Using the manufacturer barcode to track inventory.

Suffocation warnings must be printed in a legible font size for the size of the bag and placed in a prominent location.

Example warning

WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cots, beds, prams or playpens. This bag is not a toy.

Also see Toys, Plush Items and Sports Products

Ensure that the right label is affixed to the right product.

• Label your products one at a time.
• Make sure that the label title matches the corresponding product

For additional information, see:

• FBA product barcode requirements
• Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory
• Label products

Verify that your products have a physical, scannable barcode (UPC, EAN, ISBN, and so on).

Label placement and size

• Cover any original barcodes. When affixing an X00 label, cover the entire original manufacturer's barcode (UPC, EAN, ISBN) with your label (no other barcodes should be visible).
• Use the right label and size and type. All Amazon barcodes must be printed in black ink on white, non-reflective labels with removable adhesive. Dimensions must be between 25.4mm x 50.8mm and 50.8mm x 76.2mm (1” x 2" and 2” x 3")
• Ensure that there is sufficient white space around the Amazon barcode and related text (6.4mm / 0.25" on the sides and 3.2mm / 0.125" at the top and bottom)

Printer requirements

• Use a laser printer for your labels. Inkjet printers are more susceptible to smearing and blurry images.
• Clean your printer. Many labelling errors are caused by dirty printer heads.

See:

• FBA product barcode requirements
• Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory
• Label products

Make sure that the labels lie flat and do not fold over edges. Ensure that there is a minimum quiet zone before and after the barcode (6.4mm / 0.25" on the sides and 3.2mm / 0.125" at the top and bottom)

When you are ready to affix barcodes to your products, make sure that:

• You cover all other visible barcodes with the exception of any serial number barcodes that uniquely identify the item (for example, IMEI barcodes on mobile phone packaging).
• You place the barcode on the outside of any prep materials.
• You do not place the barcode on a curve or corner of the package.
• Each item in a case pack has an Amazon barcode, and any barcodes on the case have been removed.

For more information, see:

• Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory
• Use the manufacturer barcode to track an inventory
• Label products

There was an issue with inventory labels.

We performed unplanned prep at the fulfilment centre.

• Label your products one at a time.
• Make sure that the label title matches the corresponding product.
• Verify that your products have a physical, scannable barcode (UPC, EAN, ISBN, and so on).

• Ensure proper label placement. Make sure that the labels do not fold over edges or curves.

For more information, see:

• FBA product barcode requirements
• Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory
• Label products

Poly bags used to protect items must meet the following requirements.

Poly bag requirements

• The poly bag must be transparent.
• Poly bags must be completely sealed.

Poly bag label requirements

• The poly bag must have a barcode (for example, UPC and EAN) or X00 label that is scannable through the bag or have an X00 or ASIN label on the outside of the bag.

Specific categories that may require poly bags include:

• Liquid
• Pellets, powders and granular
• Plush
• Baby products
• Clothing, fabric and textiles
• Jewellery
• Small products

If you cannot find your specific issue above, see Packaging and prep requirements.

Adult products must be packed in black, opaque bags. The outside of the bag must have a scannable X00 or an ASIN label and a suffocation warning.

This includes but is not limited to the following:

• Items that contain pictures of live nude models
• Packaging that uses obscene/profane messaging
• Items that are themselves lifelike in nature but with no live model shown

For additional information, see Packaging adult products

Bubble wrap can protect items from breaking during shipment or storage.

Specific categories that may require bubble wrap include:

• Liquid
• Sharp items
• Glass, ceramic, breakable, and fragile items

For additional information, see:

• Packaging glass, ceramic, breakable, and fragile units

Taping can protect products during storage and shipment. Applications of taping would include:

• Seal a poly bag
• Seal the cap of a liquid
• Seal bubble wrap
• Seal a box that can easily open
• Seal loose products together

Also see Prepare your products for FBA shipping

Inventory requirements

Amazon considers a best-by or sell-by date the equivalent of an expiry date.

• Topical and consumable products (including nutritional supplements):  All are considered subject to expiry, whether for human or animal consumption
• Health and Beauty products: This is marked to expire 900 days after the date that it is processed at the fulfilment centre

Label requirements

• Expiration dates must be displayed in the format MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY
• If the expiry date is in a different format, you must cover the existing date with a printed label with the expiry date in the correct format.
• Products that can expire must have the expiry date printed on the master carton in 36+ point font AND on the individual/retail display unit
• Products that are printed with a manufactured date must have this date covered and labelled with an expiry date in the above format.
• Products with expiry dates cannot be commingled and must have FBA labels. For more information, see Labelled Inventory.

Packaging requirements

• All case packs, multi-packs and display boxes must have the expiry date on the box or bundle, as well as on each individual item inside the box or bundle.
• Products that expire and are contained in packaging that requires additional prep, such as glass jars or bottles, must be prepped to ensure that the expiry date is accessible for Amazon associates during the receive process.

For more information, see Expiry-dated FBA inventory

You are required to provide box content information for each box sent to Amazon. This includes:

• Unit quantity of each SKU per box
• Expiry dates (if applicable)
• Box weight and dimensions

Please verify that the number of boxes that you send per shipment matches the number of boxes you specified when creating your shipment.

If you decide to send additional items after finalising a shipment, you need to create a new shipment.

If you are unable to send the products originally planned in your shipment, please delete the inaccurate shipment and create a new one.

For more information, see Box content information for FBA shipments to Amazon

There were item quantities in your shipment that did not match the expected amount based on the box content information you provided.

• You provide box content information in the Prepare Shipment step of the shipment creation workflow, or by uploading an XML file via Amazon Marketplace Web Service (Amazon MWS).

You must put your box labels on the correct boxes to ensure that the label information identifies the contents of each box.

For additional information, see Set quantity for shipments to Amazon.

You are required to provide accurate box content information for each box sent to Amazon. This includes:

• Unit quantity of each SKU per box
• Expiry dates (if applicable)
• Box weight and dimensions

Box content information is provided in the Prepare Shipment step of the shipment creation workflow.

• If you wish to send additional items after finalising a shipment, you must create a new shipment.
• If you cannot send the products originally planned in your shipment, delete the shipment and create a new one.

For more information, see Box content information for FBA shipments to Amazon

• Before sending your inventory, you must list all individual items that you plan to include in your shipment.
• When labelling your items, verify that the label affixed to the item matches the item.
• Pay extra attention to subtleties such as size and colour variations.

Also see Set quantity for shipments to Amazon

Verify the quantities of each unique item in the shipment, and ensure that they match the quantity specified on the purchase order.

• If you wish to send additional items after finalising a shipment, you must create a new shipment.
• If you cannot send the products originally planned in your shipment, delete the shipment and create a new one.

Also see Set quantity for shipments to Amazon

The product titles for ASINs listed must have the correct information and formatting.

Your product title did not meet the FBA product title requirements and/or did not match the product label.

• Use 150 characters maximum, generally. Some product categories allow longer titles, see category-specific instructions for more details.
• Capitalise the first letter of each word
• Do not use all caps
• Do not use capital letters for and, or, for, the, a, an
• Do not capitalise prepositions with fewer than five letters (in, on, over, with)
• Use numerals (2 instead of two)
• For a product bundle, provide the value in brackets, for example (pack of 2)
• Do not use symbols, such as ~ ! * $ ?
• Do not use special characters (Æ, ©, ô, etc.)

Product information

• Include the size and colour in child ASINs for variations. See the Variation Relationships help page for more information.
• Do not include price or promotional messages, such as "sale" or "free ship"
• Do not use subjective commentary, such as "Hot Item" or "Best Seller"
• Your merchant name for brand or manufacturer information should not be included, unless your product is Private Label

For more information, see FBA Product Title Requirements

Inventory was shipped to a different fulfilment centre from the one indicated on the Shipping Plan.

• Adhere to the split shipments set up in your account. Different products are shipped to different locations in order to maximise efficiency.
• Verify that your shipment label is in a clear and visible location.
• This issue may occur when your carrier delivers the shipment to the wrong location. Work with your carrier to ensure that your shipment is delivered to the address on the shipping label.

For more information, see:

• Shipping products to Amazon

There are products that require prior approval before you can sell them on Amazon. There are also products that FBA does not support.

All Amazon requirements and restrictions also apply to FBA.

• Certain products cannot be listed for sale on Amazon.
• Some products may be eligible for sale on Amazon, but cannot be sold through the FBA programme.
• Some products cannot be sold as a matter of compliance with legal or regulatory restrictions (for example, prescription drugs).
• Specific product content is prohibited as a matter of Amazon policy (for example, crime scene photos).

Make sure that you review the other sections below for additional product requirements and restrictions:

• Category Approval
• Expiry-dated FBA inventory
• FBA Prohibited Products
• Restricted products
• FBA product restrictions

Some of your items arrived at the fulfilment centre in damaged condition.

We could not process them into your sellable inventory.

Prep your products in accordance with the Packaging and prep requirements help page.

Use proper packing material (dunnage) when packing your boxes to ensure that your inventory is not damaged in transit.

Acceptable dunnage includes

• Foam sheets or cushioning
• Air pillows
• Bubble wrap
• Full sheets of paper

When sending pallets, stack your boxes with the heaviest boxes at the bottom and the lightest at the top.

For more information, see Seller requirements for less than truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL) and ocean full container load (FCL) deliveries

Follow the steps below for instructions on how to avoid these problems.

1. In Seller Central, go to the Inventory tab and select Manage FBA Shipments.
2. On the Shipping Queue page, click Track shipment to the right of the shipment.
3. On the Shipment summary page, go to Problem details.