Amazon FBA prep requirements for goods imported from China

FNSKU labeling

Every individual unit sent to FBA must have an FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit) label. The FNSKU is Amazon's internal barcode that links the physical unit to your seller account and your listing. Without it, Amazon cannot associate received inventory with your account.

FNSKU vs. manufacturer barcode: Amazon allows some products to use the existing manufacturer barcode (UPC, EAN, ISBN) instead of an FNSKU label, through a program called Stickerless/Commingled Inventory. However, commingled inventory means your units may be mixed with units from other sellers of the same ASIN. Many sellers avoid this and require FNSKU labels on every unit.

Where FNSKU labels go: the label must be scannable and cover or replace any existing barcode on the unit. If the product has a transparent outer bag, the label must be visible through it. Labels must not be placed on the bottom of the product.

Who applies FNSKU labels:

• Your Chinese supplier, if they can print and apply labels correctly. You generate the labels in Seller Central, send the PDF to your supplier, and they apply them before or after packing. This saves cost but requires quality control -- mis-applied or incorrect labels cause receiving problems at Amazon.
• A third-party prep center in the US. The goods arrive from China uninstructed, and the prep center applies labels and handles any other requirements before forwarding to Amazon. Adds time and cost but is more reliable for first shipments.
• Amazon itself, for a per-unit fee, if you select the Amazon-labeling option when creating a shipment plan.

Packaging requirements

Amazon has specific packaging requirements for different product types. The most commonly violated ones:

• Polybag requirements: any soft, loose, or flexible product that could be damaged, or that poses a suffocation risk, must be in a sealed polybag. Bags must be at least 1.5 mil thick. Bags over 5 inches in either dimension must have a suffocation warning label printed on or attached to the bag.
• Bubble wrap: fragile items must be bubble-wrapped so that a drop test from a height of 3 feet does not damage the product or expose the manufacturer barcode or FNSKU.
• Set items: products sold as a set (e.g. a 3-pack) must be clearly marked 'Sold as Set' or 'Do Not Separate' and packaged so the units cannot be separated at the fulfillment center.
• Expiration dates: any product with an expiration date must have the date labeled on both the individual unit and the master carton. Amazon's format requirement is MM-YYYY or MM/YYYY. Products with fewer than 90 days until expiration will be disposed of.
• Liquids: must be sealed with a lid or cap that is taped or heat-sealed. Must be in a leak-proof container and placed in a sealed polybag.
• Sharp items: must be fully enclosed in packaging that prevents the sharp edge from being exposed. The packaged item must pass a 3-foot drop test.

Carton and shipment requirements

The outer shipping cartons must also meet Amazon specifications:

• Maximum carton weight: 50 lbs (approximately 22.7 kg). Cartons over 50 lbs require a 'Team Lift' label.
• Maximum carton dimensions: no side longer than 25 inches, unless the product itself is longer.
• Carton labeling: each carton must have an Amazon shipment label (generated in Seller Central) on one side only. The label must cover or remove any previous carrier labels.
• Packing list: each carton must contain a packing slip showing the shipment ID and what is inside.
• Mixed products: unless you are shipping a mixed-ASIN carton (allowed with specific setup), each carton should contain only one ASIN.

Where to do FBA prep

You have three options for where FBA prep happens, each with different cost and risk profiles:

• At the factory in China. The cheapest option per unit, since labor costs are lower. Works well if your supplier has experience with FBA requirements and you have a reliable quality control process. Risk: errors in labeling or packaging may not be caught until the goods arrive at Amazon, resulting in rejection or unplanned fees.
• At a US third-party prep center. The goods arrive from China, clear customs, and are delivered to the prep center. The prep center applies FNSKU labels, repackages as needed, and ships to Amazon. Typical cost: $0.50 to $2.00 per unit depending on complexity. Adds 3 to 7 days before the goods reach Amazon, but provides a quality check point.
• At your own facility. If you receive the goods at your own warehouse or storage location first, you can do prep yourself. Only practical if you have staff and space, and if your volume justifies the overhead.

For first shipments with an unknown supplier, a US prep center reduces risk significantly. Once you have verified your supplier can meet FBA requirements consistently, factory prep often makes sense to reduce cost.

Common FBA prep mistakes from China imports

These are the errors that most often cause Amazon to refuse receiving or charge unplanned prep fees:

• Wrong FNSKU label. The label was generated for the wrong ASIN or marketplace (e.g. US vs. UK). Each marketplace requires its own FNSKU.
• Label placed over a manufacturer barcode without fully covering it. Amazon scanners may read the old barcode instead of the FNSKU.
• Polybag missing suffocation warning. Required for bags over 5 inches in any dimension.
• Carton weight over 50 lbs. Amazon's receiving process has weight limits. Overweight cartons are refused.
• No expiration date or wrong format. Products with expiration dates that are not labeled or are in the wrong format (DD/MM/YYYY instead of MM-YYYY) are rejected.
• FNSKU labels applied at the factory but on the wrong surface. Labels on the bottom or obscured by shrink wrap are rejected at receiving.