Shipment packaging requirements

Providing box content information improves the management of your inventory within Amazon and helps your products become available for sale more quickly. For more information, refer to Provide box content information.

If you select Skip providing box contents, make sure that:

• Each box contains inventory from only one shipment ID. Do not combine items from multiple shipments in the same box. You can find the shipment ID on the Summary page for that shipment.
• The shipment details listed on your shipping plan match the shipment being sent to the fulfilment centre, including:
  • Merchant SKU
  • UPC/EAN/ISBN or other external barcode
  • Fulfilment Network SKU
  • Condition
  • Quantity shipped
  • Packing option (individually packed or case packed)
• Units are prepped according to the requirements found on the Packaging and prep requirements page

Following these instructions helps ensure shipments arrive undamaged and ready for intake to our fulfilment centres:

• Use a rigid, six-sided box with flaps intact.
• Use a single address label that has clear, complete delivery and return information.
• Each box you include in the shipment must have its own unique FBA shipment label printed from your Shipping Queue.
• Each pallet requires four labels, one on the top centre of each side. Each box on the pallet also requires its own label.
• When shipping multiple case packs in a primary carton, apply the unique shipping label on the primary carton.
• If you are reusing boxes, remove all old shipping labels or markings.
• Cover existing barcodes with opaque tape or use a black felt-tip marker to render the barcode unscannable. This prevents the incorrect barcode from being accidentally scanned during the receiving process.
• Wrap all items separately.
• Use adequate packaging material.
• Use strong tape designed for shipping.
• Use 5 cm of cushioning between each of your items and the inside of the box.
• After you pack your box, shake it gently. The contents should not move when shaken.
• Using boxes with dimensions measuring at least 15 x 10 x 5 cm and weighing at least 500 g (but no more than 150 cm on any side and under 30 kg total) can reduce delays in receiving.

Avoiding the following also helps ensure shipments arrive ready for intake to Amazon fulfilment centres:

• Do not use point-of-sale containers. Point-of-sale containers are part of the product you are selling and typically contain one single unit. (For example, a coffee maker shipped and sold in its original container.)
• Do not use open boxes typically used for display purposes. (For example, open- front boxes or boxes without tops.)

  

• Do not use pallet-sized boxes (also known as gaylords).

  

• Do not use string, straps or over-wrap (plastic or paper).
• Do not bundle multiple boxes together.

Picking the right-sized box for what you are shipping is important. If the container is too large, you will need to fill it up with enough packaging material so that the box will not collapse if heavier boxes are stacked on top during shipping.

Acceptable standard boxes:

• Regular slotted carton (RSC)
• B flute
• ECT-32 (edge crush test)
• 200 lb./sq. inch (burst strength)

Use a minimum of 5 cm of appropriate packing material around each item and the same amount in between your products and the walls of the box. If your items are being shipped in the manufacturer's case pack, the 5 cm of packing material is not necessary.

Boxes containing multiple standard-size items must not exceed 150 cm on any side. Boxes that are excessively large relative to the oversize units may be subject to restriction of shipping privileges, additional fees or refusal at a fulfilment centre.

If you are using an Amazon-partnered carrier, weigh and measure boxes and pallets accurately and ensure that the correct values are supplied for every shipment. In addition:

• Boxes must not exceed the standard weight limit of 30 kg, unless they contain one single oversized item that exceeds 30 kg.
• For a single oversized item that exceeds 30 kg, attach a label that clearly indicates Manual Pallet Jack Lift on the top and sides of the box.
• Boxes containing Jewellery or watches must not exceed 28 kg.

Using appropriate packing material ensures your shipment quickly moves through the fulfilment centre receiving process and protects our associates from potential safety issues.

Use these:

• Bubble Wrap
• Full sheets of paper (heavy-weight kraft paper is best)
• Inflatable air pillows
• Polyethylene foam sheeting

Do not use these:

• All types of packing peanuts, including those made of biodegradable material or corn starch
• Foam strips
• Crinkle wrap
• Shredded paper
• Thermocol chips
• Styrofoam

Watch the videos:

• How to Pack boxes for Shipment to an Amazon Fulfilment Centre
• Shipment Safety Requirements

Breaking down the material benefits

Bubble Wrap or small cell bubble sheeting provides surface protection as well as shock absorption. It can also be wrapped around almost any product, regardless of shape or size.

Paper, specifically kraft paper intended for packing applications, can be used to fill empty space in your shipping box. For best results, use kraft paper with a minimum basis weight of 27 kg to ensure that it is thick enough to provide protection.

Inflatable air pillows use air pressure to secure and hold products in place inside the shipping container and provide an air barrier of cushioning. They generally come in a strip of air pillows that you can easily use as lightweight dunnage to fill the empty space in your box.

Polyethylene foam sheeting is thin, soft, resilient and provides surface protection and cushioning properties. This type of packaging is good for protecting lightweight items.

All products require a scannable barcode. For more information, refer to FBA product barcode requirements.

Each box in a shipment requires an Amazon shipment label in addition to the carrier label. For more information, refer to Shipment label requirements.

Additional requirements apply based on the shipping method you use:

• Small-parcel delivery to Amazon
• Truckload delivery to Amazon

In addition, boxes and box contents must be packaged in such a way that the contents arrive safely and intact at the fulfilment centre. For more information, refer to Packaging and prep requirements.

Some common issues that may result in the refusal of inventory at the fulfilment centre include shipments that are larger than expected, damaged or sent to the wrong fulfilment centre. Such shipments may be rejected at the dock and returned to you at your expense. Merchant Damage refers to any inventory that is delivered to an Amazon fulfilment centre in an unsellable condition. Shipments considered Merchant Damage or Defective incur a return freight charge.

You cannot refuse or return shipments that are returned to you without first contacting Amazon. Shipments that you refuse or return without first contacting Amazon may be refused a second time and any costs incurred will be at your expense.

Make sure your distributor has the correct Amazon shipment labels for your shipment. You can grant limited access to your seller account to access labels. For more information, refer to Set user permissions.

In addition, your distributor must adhere to all Amazon shipment requirements.