Over the years, we have posted several articles about Amazon, Etsy, and eBay packaging. Sharing information about popular packaging machines and materials to successfully package for e-commerce. Since the first article, Amazon has continued to evolve its requirements and suggestions for shippers. Last year, we wrote about some of those updated requirements and packaging supplies for Amazon seller packaging guidelines. This article is an update featuring the latest guideline updates for Amazon FBA.

New Amazon FBA Changes

Amazon now requires sellers to send their items to fulfillment centers fully labeled, packaged, and ready to ship to customers. No exceptions.

The change, which took effect Jan. 1 of this year, eliminates the longstanding prep and item labeling services for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipments.

The company cited an improvement in seller packaging capabilities and a desire to streamline fulfillment operations as reasons for the change.

The program’s elimination includes FNSKU labels, bundling services and bagging.

Sellers that send products to fulfillment centers without proper prep or labeling risk rejection from Amazon, or their products will not be eligible for reimbursement if damaged or lost. Amazon may even dispose of the product at the seller’s expense.

With Amazon’s prep services removed, sellers must invest in in-house capabilities, partner with the manufacturer, or partner with another third-party or prep center.

And a fresh set of requirements came with the switch.

Perhaps the biggest change is the labeling of products. Under the new rules, any FNSKU you use on a product must be unique and correspond to one unique product. For example, each type, size, or color variation must have a different FNSKU.

Each unit must also have an exterior scannable barcode that is easily accessible. Do not apply barcodes to a corner or curve that would prevent them from being scanned.

Any existing barcodes on the outside of shipping boxes must be removed, covered by opaque tape, or rendered unscannable.

Loose products are not allowed. Units not in secure packaging, such as loose sleeves or pouches, must be bagged or secured with a non-adhesive band or removable tape.

Footwear, regardless of material, must be packaged so that no shoe material is exposed, either in shoe boxes or in poly bags with a suffocation warning.

Products that are sets must have a label on the unit that clearly states “Sold as Set,” “Ready to Ship,” or “This is a set. Do not separate.”

Packaging Details

Boxes must meet specific requirements when used for this purpose. The first requirement is being six-sided. The lid of the box must be closed and not easy to open. Glue, staples, and tape are recommended for closure, and the box must not collapse under medium pressure. The last requirement for boxed set items is a drop test if the box has perforations for opening.

If boxes are not ideal for the products you are bundling, shrink wrapping is recommended to hold them together. Various items can be packaged in heat shrink wrap to create a set. A heavier 100 gauge crosslinked or thicker is recommended, depending on the size and weight of the bulk packaged items.

The last recommended option for sold-as-set items is a poly bag. The bags must be labeled with a suffocation warning and completely sealed. Some bags are available with adhesive to quickly close and seal the bag. Other poly bags will require a sealer that can fully close the bag to keep the contents within.

Shrink wrapping is another way to hold multiple products together. The equipment chosen should be related to the volume of products you wrap daily. Many Amazon sellers use a shrink-combo system with centerfold shrink film to package bundled items. These systems can wrap thousands of products daily. Higher volume packaging may require an auto shrink wrap machine. Capable of tens of thousands of seals daily, auto shrink wrap machines auto seal and shrink products loaded onto a conveyor belt.

TL-1519ECMC Shrink Combo System

TL1622MK Econo Set

HS-HDX250

HS-HDX350

Auto L Bar Sealer

Auto Bundler

100 Gauge Crosslinked Shrink Film

Shrink Bundling Film

For liquids, the requirements apply to liquids, creams, pastes, and gels. These items are a concern for Amazon because they can damage other items during storage or when shipped with other products.

One of the many requirements for these spillable items is that the primary packaging withstand a three-foot drop test from different sides to ensure the contents do not leak from the container. Once the drop test is passed, the non-fragile items should have a double seal to prevent leaking.

Double seals can be achieved in various ways. The first seal can be an induction lid seal under a bottle cap. Safety seal neck banding can also be used as a seal as well. Overwrapping the entire container with a poly bag or shrink wrap is also an acceptable seal. Amazon also points out that metal clips around jars or cans are acceptable seals.

More extensive packaging is required for fragile, hazardous liquid items. Bubble wrap, boxing, and a poly bag are required for prepping fragile items considered dangerous to ensure the container is not damaged and the contents do not spill within the package or during storage.

Boxes with 32# etc and packaging tape are Amazon's first recommendations. The tape or glue used for box closure must be held during transport and storage. Initially, a tape gun and roll of tape should be enough to handle the volume. A tape machine should be considered to close boxes more efficiently as volume increases.

Boxes

Packing Tape

Tape Dispenser

Poly bags with a 5-inch opening or larger (measured when flat) must have a suffocation warning, either printed on the bag or attached as a label, and they must be sealed. Failure to follow this guideline may lead to the items being re-bagged.

Poly Bags

It is essential to have a heat sealer that will accommodate the volume and size of the bags being wrapped.

Most Amazon sellers choose something more efficient than hand impulse sealers; though they can make seals, they are not as efficient. Foot impulse sealers free up hands and allow users to make seals quickly. Continuous band sealers are an excellent option for bagging thousands of products daily, though the machine can only wrap smaller bags less than fourteen inches long.

Flat Wire Impulse Sealers

Foot Impulse Sealers

Tabletop Foot Impulse Sealers

Continuous Band Sealers

Vertical Band Sealers

U.S. Packaging and Wrapping offers a wide range of products to help you stay in compliance with Amazon seller rules. For your packaging needs, visit our website at uspackagingandwrapping.com or contact us by phone at 1-800-441-5090 or by email at [email protected]