Amazon requires poly bags to be transparent and at least 1.5 mil thick, with a scannable barcode and a secure seal. Any bag with an opening of 5 inches or more, measured flat, needs a printed suffocation warning in a legible size. The bag should fit the product without excessive loose material. Check the current spec in Seller Central, since Amazon updates the details.
What is the box size limit for FBA shipments?
Standard shipping cartons for FBA generally cannot exceed 36 inches on the longest side, 25 inches on each of the other two sides, or 50 pounds, unless the box holds a single oversize unit that is larger or heavier on its own. Cartons over 50 pounds need a "Team Lift" label, and over 100 pounds need a "Mechanical Lift" label. Confirm the current limits in Seller Central before you pack, since Amazon adjusts them.
Does every FBA unit need a suffocation warning?
No. The suffocation warning applies to poly-bagged items where the bag opening is 5 inches or wider. Boxed items, and small bags below that threshold, do not need it. When a bag does qualify, the warning has to be printed legibly on the bag or on a label. Amazon's Seller Central help pages carry the exact wording and size.
How do I find the packaging requirements for my specific product?
Open the product in Seller Central and check the prep guidance in the Send to Amazon or Manage Inventory flow. Amazon lists whether your ASIN needs poly bagging, bubble wrap, a suffocation label, bundling, or special handling. As of January 1, 2026, Amazon no longer preps or labels FBA inventory on a seller's behalf, so applying the FNSKU and completing every other listed prep step is always the seller's (or their 3PL's) responsibility before the shipment reaches the fulfillment center. Requirements can differ by ASIN even within the same category, so check each product rather than assuming.
What happens if my FBA packaging does not meet Amazon's requirements?
Amazon flags a unit that arrives without the required prep, packaging, or labeling as a defect and applies the missing prep or label rather than accepting it as-is. If that unit is damaged or becomes untraceable because of the missing or improper prep, it isn't eligible for reimbursement. Beyond that direct risk, noncompliant shipments can also face delay or added handling while the issue is worked out, though Amazon does not publish the exact process it follows in every case. Prepping to spec the first time, or handing prep to a provider that does, is the more reliable way to avoid both risks.
Can a 3PL handle FBA packaging requirements for me?
Yes. A 3PL that offers FBA prep receives your bulk inventory, packages each unit to Amazon's category spec, applies FNSKU labels, builds the shipment plans, and forwards the boxes to the assigned fulfillment centers. Simpl runs Amazon FBA prep as a core service and also offers FBM and direct-to-consumer fulfillment, both from its Austin, TX facility.
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