If you sell on Amazon and source from China, preparing a compliant FBA shipment is one of the most important steps between production and your first sale. Mistakes here can cause delays, extra fees, or even rejected shipments. Here is a practical guide.
1. Understand Amazon FBA requirements
Before your factory starts production, confirm these requirements:
- FNSKU label — each unit must have an Amazon-issued FNSKU barcode
- Poly bagging — for products under 5 cm or with loose parts, with a suffocation warning
- Carton weight — max 23 kg per box (50 lbs), heavier cartons need Team Lift labels
- Carton size — any side over 63.5 cm needs a label
- Barcode readability — 2 x 1 inch minimum, clear black on white
2. Choose the packaging format
There are two main options:
- Standard FBA prep — factory bags and labels each unit, then ships to Amazon. Fastest, most reliable.
- Bulk shipment to your own warehouse — you prepare labels and cartons yourself. Cheaper if you have a 3PL near the Amazon warehouse.
For most sellers sourcing under their own brand, factory-direct FBA prep is the better choice.
3. Prepare your FNSKU labels
Steps to get labels ready:
- Create the shipment plan in Seller Central
- Download the FNSKU PDF files
- Send the PDF to the factory — they print and apply the labels
- Make sure labels cover the original barcode, not next to it
We print and apply FNSKU labels at no extra cost for FBA orders.
4. Pack cartons correctly
- Use double-walled cartons for heavy products
- Fill empty space with paper or air pillows to prevent movement
- Seal with strong packing tape on all open edges
- Label each carton with the FBA shipment ID and box number
- Do not mix different SKUs in one carton unless Amazon allows it
5. Choose your shipping method
- Sea freight — cheapest, 25–40 days. Best for large volumes.
- Air freight — faster, 7–12 days. Best for urgent or small shipments.
- Express (DHL, FedEx, UPS) — 3–7 days. Best for samples or small test orders.
- Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) — Amazon's own service, integrates directly with Seller Central.
For first shipments, most sellers use air freight or express. Once sales are stable, switch to sea freight to save cost.
6. Choose the right Incoterm
- FOB — you arrange freight. Best if you have a freight forwarder.
- DDP — factory delivers to Amazon warehouse. Easiest for first-time sellers.
- EXW — you pick up from factory. Only for experienced importers.
We support FOB, CIF, DDP and Amazon FBA prep on all our product lines.
7. Common mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting the suffocation warning on poly bags — Amazon will reject the shipment
- Cartons too heavy or too large — extra fees or refusal
- FNSKU labels placed incorrectly — scanning errors at the warehouse
- Not checking the shipment plan before production starts — leads to rework
- Mixing SKUs without approval — shipment split or rejected
8. Timeline and checklist
- Week 1: Create shipment plan, download FNSKU PDFs
- Week 2–5: Production + FBA prep at factory
- Week 6–8: Ship (air) or 4–6 weeks (sea)
- Week 9: Receive at Amazon warehouse, go live
If you are sourcing for Amazon FBA, we can handle poly bagging, FNSKU labeling, carton labeling and direct delivery to Amazon warehouses in the US and EU. Send us an inquiry for a full FBA-ready quote.