Amazon FBA Packaging Requirements: What Sellers Need to Know
Overview: Why Amazon FBA Packaging Matters
Selling on Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) requires strict adherence to packaging guidelines to ensure your products arrive safely and are processed efficiently. For both new and experienced sellers, understanding these requirements is essential to avoid penalties, delays, or damaged inventory.
While Amazon has clear guidelines, they can be complex. The good news is many packaging vendors are familiar with FBA standards. If you're navigating this on your own, this guide will help you stay compliant—and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Basic Packaging Guidelines
Packaging Materials
Use sturdy, six-sided corrugated cardboard boxes.
Avoid damaged or reused boxes unless in excellent condition.
Weight and Size Limits
Boxes must not exceed 50 lbs (22.7 kg).
Items over 50 lbs must be labeled "Team Lift."
Sealing Your Package
Use tape at least 2" wide.
Reinforce the bottom of heavy boxes with extra tape (preferably water-activated tape).
Product Preparation & Protection
Poly Bags
Must be transparent and at least 1.5 mil thick.
Include a suffocation warning if openings are 5" or larger.
Bubble Wrap & Dunnage
Wrap fragile items individually.
Use Amazon-approved dunnage: air pillows, foam, bubble wrap, or full paper sheets.
Secure Sealing
Tape all packaging materials securely to prevent shifting during transit.
Labeling Standards for Amazon FBA
FNSKU Labels
Every item must have a scannable FNSKU barcode.
If your item doesn’t have a barcode, print and apply an Amazon barcode.
Label Placement
Place labels on a flat surface.
Avoid corners, seams, or curves.
Visibility
Ensure labels are clear and unobstructed.
Special Packaging Situations
Case-Packed Products
All units must have identical barcodes.
The case must indicate the total quantity.
Expiration-Dated Products
Use the MM-DD-YYYY format.
Display the expiration date on the outer packaging.
Liquids, Powders, and Sharp Objects
Liquids: Seal tightly, double-bag, and use leak-proof packaging.
Powders: Use sealed containers and double packaging.
Sharp items: Cover points to prevent injury.
Shipment & Pallet Preparation
Shipment Labels
Each box requires two labels: the shipping label and the FBA Box ID label.
Labels must be easily readable and properly affixed.
Label Placement
Place labels at least 1/4" from edges.
Avoid placing them on seams or corners.
Pallet Guidelines
Use stackable, shrink-wrapped pallets with proper labeling.
Materials to Avoid
Do not use packing peanuts, shredded paper, or loose fill.
Avoid any packaging with hazardous or restricted materials.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Shipment Rejection: Amazon may refuse non-compliant shipments.
Chargebacks: Additional fees for extra handling or labeling.
Inventory Delays: Non-compliant shipments can delay product check-in.
Damage Risk: Poor packaging increases the chance of returns and bad reviews.
Forced Removal: Amazon may require you to remove or dispose of inventory.
Account Suspension: Repeated issues may lead to a temporary or permanent ban.
Poor Seller Metrics: Affects your Buy Box eligibility and seller ranking.
Customer Dissatisfaction: Leads to negative reviews and reduced sales.
Extra Processing Time: Delays getting your products live on Amazon.
How to Avoid Packaging Penalties
Hire a Professional: Rogue Fulfillment’s Packaging Sherpa can guide you through the process.
Know the Guidelines: Review Amazon's official FBA requirements.
Train Your Team: Make sure everyone understands packaging standards.
Perform Quality Checks: Spot errors before items leave your facility.
Audit Regularly: Keep your processes aligned with Amazon’s evolving policies.
Work With Experts (CTA)
Don’t let packaging errors hurt your business. Whether you’re new to FBA or scaling your operation, Rogue Fulfillment is here to help.
👉 Contact us today and let’s get your products packaged the right way—for FBA success.
**This guide is intended to simplify Amazon FBA packaging rules. Always refer to Amazon’s latest seller documentation for official standards.