Key takeaways:

1. Amazon has strict packaging and labeling requirements, and failing to follow them can result in delays, extra fees, or rejected inventory.
2. Requirements like cushioning, secure boxing, and drop tests are designed to minimize damage during transit.
3. Not all products are treated the same. Items like “sold as set,” apparel, loose products, and expiration-dated goods each have unique requirements. Understanding category-specific rules prevents costly mistakes and ensures compliance.
4. Since January 1, 2026, Amazon no longer offers prep and item labeling services for FBA shipments in the US, so every unit must arrive prepped and labeled.
5. From March 31, 2026, brand owners with the Brand Representative role can use manufacturer barcodes, while resellers must use Amazon FNSKU labels on all FBA inventory. Barcodes must be clear, scannable, and properly placed.

Amazon FBA, or Fulfillment by Amazon, is a service used by thousands of merchants all over the world. 

With Amazon FBA, selling on Amazon becomes easier as Amazon takes care of everything from shipping to customer service. 

As an Amazon seller, all you need to do is send your products to Amazon fulfillment centers and have Amazon take care of the rest. 

But how does this work? Well, sending your FBA inventory isn't as simple as wrapping it in a box. You have to follow some Amazon packaging requirements to have your inventory accepted at the fulfillment centers. 

If you don't adhere to the guidelines and requirements, you may incur some Amazon fees and have your inventory sent back. 

In this ePlaybooks guide, we will look at some Amazon FBA packaging requirements and guidelines to ensure a seamless process at Amazon fulfillment centers.

What are the Amazon FBA packaging requirements?

Proper packaging isn't only good news at Amazon fulfillment centers but is also good news for your customers. Packaging your inventory properly ensures that they are delivered swiftly and in good condition to your customers. 

Also, keep in mind that all prerequisites for shipping must be met before shipping your items. 

You can go through additional resources on your Amazon Seller account to guide you on preparing and packaging your inventory. 

Now let's look at the Amazon packaging requirements and guidelines you must follow: 

• You must wrap all items individually.
• Between each item and the interior of the box, there must be two inches of cushioning. 
• All your products must be packaged in a tightly secured, six-sided box. The box flaps must be intact and functional. 
• If you are using pallets, you must label each pallet four times. You should place the labels at the center of each side.
• Every box on a pallet must also be labeled individually. 
• All boxes should include its own FBA shipment label. You can find the shipment label in the Shipping Queue on your Amazon Seller Central account.
• If packaging your products with a master carton, you will have to place your unique shipping label on the master carton. 
• You can reuse shipping boxes. However, they must be free from old shipping labels and should be rigid.
• You must use a single address label that is clearly marked with the proper delivery and return information. (In a situation when Amazon has to send your product back and to properly manage your inventory, Amazon must have a return address). 
• Boxes that measure at least 6 x 4 x 1 inches and weigh at least 1 lb can reduce receiving delays. Standard boxes can be up to 36 inches long and 25 inches wide and high, and must not weigh more than 50 lb unless they hold a single oversize item.
• Only use approved packing materials, like polyethylene foam sheeting, air pillows, bubble wraps, and sheets of paper. You are not permitted to use packing peanuts of any kind, Styrofoam, crinkle wrap, or shredded paper.
• Individual product units must be labeled properly according to the labeling standards.
• You must package products by the category in which they are sold. 
• If you are selling a multi-pack, you must clearly label them as such.
• Fragile products must be packed so they can pass a 3-foot drop test. Some may need over-boxing for extra protection.
• When packaging your product in cases, each case must have the same number of identical products with the same SKU. You can add up to 150 items per case maximum. 
• Expiration dates should be clearly printed in MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY format.

Amazon packaging requirements: Product categories

There are different packaging requirements under certain categories. Here are all the packaging requirements you need to take note of under the following categories: 

‘Sold as Set’ products

“Sold as Set” products contain a mixture of similar units wrapped together. For example, it could be a set of kids' toys. 

As you prepare these types of products for FBA shipment, it is important to take note of these requirements: 

• Package or shrink-wrap the set inside a polybag to ensure it is protected during shipping.
• You must attach a label that includes something like “Do Not Separate,” “Ready to Ship”, etc. 
• You need to add a new number for the entire set.
• Confirm that units of the required set do not have barcodes so that they are not scanned at the fulfillment center. 

Case-packed products

Case-packed products are in boxes that contain similar items with the same SKU. For example, it could be a box filled with 15 brown teddy bears. At fulfillment centers, officials only need to scan one of them since all items are identical. Each box must contain items with the same quantity and SKU. It should also not contain more than 150 units. 

Boxed products

Products should be packaged in a cube or rectangular boxes with six sides. The box should also be able to withstand a minimal amount of pressure on any of the sides. Boxes with open lids should be fastened with tape or glue. Amazon recommends performing a drop test to check that the box and its contents hold up in transit.

Apparel products

When packaging clothing, you can follow the general guidelines and package items in boxes or polybags that meet Amazon's polybag rules.

Loose products

Loose products typically have detachable parts. It is best to package these items in a bag or loose sleeves. Also, you can use removable tape to tie these items around each other if they are not in a bag. 

Products with expiration dates

If you are shipping products with expiration dates, they must come in MM-DD-YYYY or the MM-YYYY format on the packaging. The expiration date on the outer box should be in 36-point font or larger. The expiration date label should also be attached to each item in the box. Any additional wraps, like bubble wraps, should also contain the expiration date. 

Read also: Finding Wholesalers for Amazon FBA: A Practical Guide

FBA Packaging options

Here are the main packaging materials you can use for your goods: 

• Boxes
• Polybags
• Bubble wrapping bag

Boxes

Boxes are the most common type of packaging. They are sturdy and more convenient for storing and handling goods. However, you can't use just any box. Use a rigid, six-sided box with all flaps intact.

Amazon enforces strict limits on box size and weight to help fulfillment centers process inventory efficiently, reduce handling risks, and avoid storage issues. On June 20, 2025, Amazon raised the maximum box length for FBA shipments from 25 inches to 36 inches. Width and height stay capped at 25 inches, and boxes must not weigh more than 50 lb unless they contain a single oversize item that weighs more.

Polybags

Some items, like shoes and bags, may not fit into structured boxes. You can package these items in polybags. Here are Amazon's specifications for polybags:

• Polybags must be transparent (adult products need opaque bags) and contain a scannable barcode or FNSKU label.
• Polybags must be at least 1.5 mil thick. Bags with an opening of 5 inches or more (measured flat) must carry a suffocation warning, printed on the bag or attached as a label.
• The polybag must be completely sealed and must not extend more than 3 inches beyond the product.

Bubble wrapping bag

Bubble wrap bags are not a major packaging material. They are usually packed in boxes or polybags. Only specific items are qualified for bubble wrapping. These include delicate items or extremely heavy items that could get damaged during filling or transportation. 

For fragile items, bubble wrap must be tightly secured, and the wrapped product must be able to pass a 3-foot drop test. Certain items may require over-boxing for additional protection. A machine-readable barcode must be applied to the outside of the bubble-wrapped product.

All packaging materials must follow Amazon's requirements and guidelines.

What are the Amazon FBA labeling requirements?

Before sending your inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers, keep in mind that you need to follow some labeling requirements. Your labeling should match the following guidelines before shipment:

• Every unit needs a single, scannable barcode: an Amazon FNSKU label or, where allowed, a manufacturer barcode.
• Unit labels should be 1 to 2 inches tall and 2 to 3 inches wide. Amazon recommends printing them with a laser printer at 300 DPI.
• Labels must be placed on a flat, smooth surface, never on a curve (like a bottle neck) or spanning a corner or seam.
• Any original manufacturer barcodes must be covered with your new FBA label. If multiple barcodes are visible, Amazon's scanner will flag the item as unscannable. Make sure the barcode has a white background with enough white space around the edges.
• If you add packaging such as a polybag or overwrap, the barcode must remain scannable without opening the unit.
• For inventory shipped on or after March 31, 2026, brand owners with the Brand Representative role in Amazon Brand Registry can use manufacturer barcodes (such as UPC or ISBN) without Amazon barcode stickers.
• From the same date, resellers must use Amazon FNSKU barcodes on all FBA inventory, even when products already carry a manufacturer barcode. Amazon says this ends commingling.
• Products with no manufacturer barcode need Amazon barcodes, whether you are the brand owner or a reseller.

Amazon no longer preps or labels your inventory

Since January 1, 2026, Amazon no longer offers prep and item labeling services for FBA shipments in the US. That means you need to prep and label every unit yourself, or through a prep center or 3PL, before it ships. If Amazon finds units that are not prepped or labeled correctly, it can flag them as prep defects and charge per-unit fees for the work.

Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) Program

For eligible Amazon products, the Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program, formerly Ships in Own Container (SIOC), allows original products to be shipped as-is in their own packaging, rather than inside an additional Amazon box. Although not all products qualify based on how durable their existing packaging is, enrolling in SIPP will reduce some of your product prep needs and may offer lower FBA fulfillment fees. Barcodes still need to be fixed to your packaging. 

You can check this guide to find out how to ship to Amazon FBA without delays. You can also find out the common shipping mistakes to avoid and what Amazon FBA warehouses expect at receiving. 

More from ePlaybooks Insights: What is FBA Wizard?

See also: 2026 Calendar and Notable Dates for Amazon FBA

See also: Amazon FBA: Biggest Pitfalls and How to Overcome Them in 2026

Final thoughts

It is important to follow Amazon's packaging requirements and guidelines to ensure your products arrive at fulfillment centers in good condition. It will also help you avoid poor seller ratings and extra costs for noncompliance.