Essential Amazon FBA Shipment Creation Rules: Critical Details to Check Before Shipping Your Products
Mastering Amazon FBA shipment creation is the difference between smooth operations and costly delays. With over 2 million active sellers on Amazon, understanding FBA shipment rules ensures your products reach warehouses efficiently, avoid penalties, and keep customers happy. This guide walks you through must-know requirements for labeling, compliance, shipping plans, and returns—so you can ship confidently.
Amazon FBA Product Compliance Standards (Non-Negotiable)
Amazon rejects 11% of FBA shipments due to compliance issues. Follow these rules to avoid lost time and revenue:
- Check Restricted Items: Banned categories like aerosols, weapons, or perishables require pre-approval. Review the Restricted Products list.
- Packaging Durability: Use 200 lb burst-test boxes. Fragile items need “Fragile” stickers and cushioning.
- Barcode Labels: Apply FNSKU labels 1.25″ from any edge. Smudged or unreadable labels cause processing delays.
- Expiration Dates: For consumables, dates must be 90+ days out and printed in 36pt font.
Pro Tip: Use Amazon’s Shipment Creation Checklist to verify every detail before packing.
Creating an Error-Free FBA Shipping Plan
Navigate Seller Central’s shipment workflow seamlessly:
- In Inventory > Send/Replenish Inventory, select SKUs needing restock.
- Choose “Amazon-Partnered Carrier” for discounted UPS/DHL rates or “Self-Transport” for LTL freight.
- Print 4-Page Pallet Labels for LTL shipments. Each pallet must be under 48″ tall and 1,500 lbs.
- Confirm ship date matches carrier pickup schedule to prevent inventory mismatches.
Avoid rookie mistakes: Double-check weight/dimensions. Underreporting triggers $0.15/lb adjustments.
Shipping and Tracking Best Practices
Once boxes leave your warehouse:
- Carrier Requirements: UPS requires 1hr pickup windows. DHL enforces max 68kg/box.
- Track Proactively: Use Seller Central’s Shipment Dashboard to spot delays. Resolve “In Transit – Late” alerts within 48hrs.
- Delivery Proof: Save POD (Proof of Delivery) docs for 90 days in case of disputes.
Warning: Shipments taking 45+ days get canceled. Use air freight for low-stock ASINs.
Preparing for Returns and Customer Service Wins
34% of FBA returns happen due to shipping errors. Protect your metrics:
- Preemptive QC: Inspect 10% of units for defects before shipping to Amazon.
- Return Labels: Auto-authorize returns under $50. Include prepaid labels for >$100 items.
- Restock Limits: Returned inventory counts against storage limits. Pull unsellable stock monthly.
Key Stat: Sellers with <5% return rates qualify for FBA Return Discounts.
Conclusion: Ship Smarter, Scale Faster
By nailing FBA shipment compliance, documentation, and tracking, top sellers reduce costs by 18% YoY. Bookmark Amazon’s FBA Resource Hub for policy updates. Remember—measure twice, ship once!
