Ultimate Guide To Amazon Packaging Requirements

How Do I Package My Products For Amazon FBA?

Amazon FBA has specific requirements for how you package products to ensure that they can sell them.

You must read our guide to Amazon packaging requirements before you begin packaging your products in order to ensure that your future shipments do not get returned to you.

Amazon packaging requirements include size, labeling, and material specifications designed to protect your parcel during transportation.

There are options you can take to have someone else handle the packaging of your products, and we have included more information on this in our guide to FBA packaging requirements.

The Dos of Amazon Packaging Requirements

Here is your comprehensive list of Amazon FBA packaging requirements, from boxes to packing materials and labeling:

Amazon Approved Packing Materials

The first thing you will want to do when considering how to package your items is to stock up on the correct packaging supplies for shipping.

When it comes to packaging your products, Amazon wants you to use high-quality FBA packaging supplies.

Boxed units that are cushioned by high-quality adequate packaging material will actually provide protection to your products, rather than just stuffing your box with packing materials that allow your product to slide around within its box and get damaged.

Here are the packing products Amazon would like you to use:

Bubble wrap. This can be used for products in all shapes and sizes. It provides shock absorption and surface protection to prevent scratching.
Full sheets of paper. Paper fills the space in your box to prevent movement.
Inflatable Air Pillows. These will fill empty space and provide cushioning that holds your products in place.
Polythene foam sheeting. This is great for lightweight items, offering surface protection and cushioning.

Box Content Information

To correctly identify your package at their fulfillment center, Amazon will need to know the content of your boxes.

During the shipment creation process on seller central, you can provide the necessary box content information so that Amazon knows which items they should expect within each box.

If you do not wish to perform this process, you must make it easier for Amazon to identify your parcels in the following ways:

Only package items with the same shipment ID together.
Ensure the shipment plan matches the shipment’s: SKU, merchant SKU, Fulfillment network SKU, barcode, quantity, condition, and packing option (whether it is packed individually or case packed).
Prepare your units in line with Amazon packaging and prep requirements.

Packaging Requirements

Your packages will arrive in good condition at Amazon if you follow these guidelines:

Use 6-sided boxes with their own unique FBA shipment label, marked with clear, readable delivery and return information.
These labeled boxes can be combined into pallets, which should be labeled in the center towards the top on all four sides.
Multiple case packs can be combined into a primary carton which should be labeled.
All items need to be wrapped within boxes using Amazon-approved packaging material such as inflatable air pillows so that they do not move inside the box when shaken gently.

Boxes – Everything You Need To Know

When it comes to choosing boxes and choosing what you put inside each box, follow these guidelines:

Boxes that contain multiple items should not be larger than 150cm on each side.
Boxes must be under 30kg if they contain multiple items. One large product over 30kg is permitted.
These oversized items weighing 30kg and above should be labeled with the following: Manual Pallet Jack Lift.
Boxes must be rigid and undamaged.
RSC, B flute, ECT-32, and 200lb/sq inch boxes can all be used.
Boxes containing jewelry and watches should weigh below 28kg. If you are reusing boxes, you must ensure that the existing barcodes from their previous use are taped over, covered, or removed to avoid misidentification.

How To Label Your Boxes

All of the boxes you are shipping will need to have a scannable FBA barcode.

The barcodes allow Amazon to track your parcel during the process of shipping, keeping you up-to-date with your parcel’s whereabouts. The barcode is also necessary to correctly identify parcels.

There are two types of barcodes:

Manufacturer barcodes (GCID, UPC, EAN, JAN, ISBN) – Manufacturer barcodes allow Amazon fulfillment to reduce shipping times by using inventory from a location closest to the buyer. They do this by using another seller’s inventory if they stock the same item and later replacing it with the item from your inventory.
Amazon barcodes (ASIN, SKU, MSKU) – Amazon barcodes need to be used for Amazon products that do not have a manufacturer barcode. They should also be used for perishable items, items with an expiry date, and topical products such as cosmetics.

FBA label requirements are crucial to keeping your packages from getting lost or sent to the wrong location.

The Don’ts of Amazon FBA Packaging Requirements

Now we have considered what you should do when packaging an Amazon order, let’s go over some things you shouldn’t do:

Do not forget to label packages with their unique shipping label and delivery and return addresses.
Do not send your package to the wrong fulfillment center.
Do not send packages that are larger than expected.
Do not send damaged packages or packages Amazon would consider to be unsellable either because of merchant damage or defective products.
Do not use the following packing materials, as they are unreliable in protecting your items: packing peanuts, foam strips, crinkle wrap, shredded paper, thermocol strips, styrofoam.

And when it comes to boxing:

Do not use point of sale containers (the product’s original packaging).
Do not use open display boxes with an open top or side.
Do not use gaylords (palette-sized boxes).
Do not use any string, straps, or overwrap.
Do not bundle your boxes together.
Do not send boxes that aren’t completely sealed with strong tape.

Where Can I Find Free Packaging?

You can package your items for free if you reuse boxes.

You could reuse boxes from your own personal deliveries, you could ask your friends and family to save their boxes for you, and you can ask local stores if they have any boxes you could take. Ensure you cover existing barcodes.

When it comes to boxes, you will generally need three sizes:

Small boxes – around 12x12x6 – will be required for smaller items with a heavy weight as if you load them all into a large box; you could exceed the weight limit (30kg).
Medium-sized boxes – around 16x18x24 – will be necessary for boxing multiple small items in the same package while not exceeding the weight limit. They can also be used for one mid-sized item to avoid using a lot of packing material.
Large boxes – around 18x18x24 – should be used for large lightweight items or lots of small, lightweight items.

Hardware stores such as Home Depot stock these boxes, and all sizes should cost less than 2 dollars per box.

You can also buy boxes in bulk online. This is less cost-effective, but it will save you a lot of time and make the packing process more manageable.

Can Amazon Package and Prep My Products?

Yes. Amazon provides packaging and prep services for their Amazon FBA sellers.

You will be charged labeling and packaging costs per item. Each item prepared by Amazon should cost between 2-4 dollars, depending on the item’s qualities, including sharpness and fragility.

In order to be eligible for Amazon packaging services, your item must be new with a product barcode. This means that handmade or used items are not eligible. Please ensure the product barcodes of your items are readable.

Can I Ship My Products Straight To Amazon?

Yes. By using a freight forwarding service that ships straight to Amazon, you will not have to handle any shipping processes.

Coshipper is a door-to-door freight forwarding service tailored specifically for Amazon FBA businesses. They ship products from China straight to Amazon fulfillment centers.

They offer product photography and can even help you source products if you wish to sell private label products.

Why Is Packaging So Important?

Packaging is an essential part of the Amazon FBA business’ success.

The packaging of your item is the first thing a customer will see. So, if it is packaged with flimsy materials or isn’t sealed correctly, this could result in negative seller reviews.

Packaging items correctly according to packaging rules prevents merchant damage which could make your product unsellable.

If Amazon deems your package unsellable, they will send it back to you at your expense, so you really need to pay attention to the guidelines in order to avoid unnecessary costs for yourself.

What Happens If Amazon Loses My Package?

If Amazon does lose your package in the care of Amazon FBA, do not worry. It is not your fault, and so you can claim for reimbursement.

Lost or damaged goods will be eligible for reimbursement if:

The item is registered in FBA when it is lost/damaged.
The item complies with Amazon’s policies regarding inventory.
Your selling account is active and not suspended at the time.
The item was not pending disposal by your request/Amazon’s request.
The item is not defective or damaged by a customer.

The maximum amount that Amazon will reimburse you, according to their policies, is $2000. They will either determine the value of the lost item and reimburse you with money, or they will replace the lost item.

If Amazon happened to find your parcel after reimbursement, they would likely sell it.

So, if your package is lost on its way to a fulfillment center, while it is being housed in the fulfillment center, or while it is on its way to a customer, don’t fret. Amazon is responsible, and you will be entitled to a reimbursement.

Can I Use My Own Packaging For Amazon?

Yes. You can use any box to ship to Amazon as long as it is secure packaging that will keep your shipping inventory safe.

You shouldn’t use packaging that has the logo of one of Amazon’s competitors on the box. For example, if the box had the eBay logo on it, avoid using this box.

If you are using your own packaging, you may want to include your logo on regular cardboard boxes and customize your packaging in other ways.

Including a note from the seller and discount vouchers in the box is a great way to enhance the customer’s impression of your brand. Use the design of your packaging and the way it presents your product to create a lasting impression.

How Can I Make My Packaging Process More Eco-Friendly?

If you are an Amazon FBA seller, you may have some guilt about the hundreds of millions of packaging items necessary to ship your orders safely.

To assuage this guilt, consider reusing boxes from your own online orders and asking friends and family to send you their old boxes. Don’t forget to cover old shipping labels.

You can also ask around at local stores to see if they are willing to provide you with their old boxes and packing supplies. This is a great way to recycle, and it will also save you money!

Look into companies that you can source recycled packing supplies from and companies where you can send damaged boxes to be recycled.

Is Amazon Packaging Mandatory?

Packaging your products in accordance with Amazon’s requirements is mandatory. However, using Amazon’s packing service is not.

If you are shipping from another country, you may want your products to be photographed and packaged, then sent straight to Amazon’s FBA centers.

This will make things easier for you and streamline the shipping process so that products do not have to be shipped to you before they can be sent to Amazon FBA warehouses.

In Summary

Now you have read our Amazon FBA packaging checklist; you should be aware of the dos and don’ts of packaging products. Now it’s time to buy Amazon packaging supplies, air pillows bubble wrap, and plenty of boxes!

Don’t forget! If you do not enjoy late nights stuffing and sealing boxes, you can try out Amazon’s prep service or ask your shipping company about packaging services.