What happens if my FBA shipment gets rejected?

Amazon will refuse the shipment at their warehouse, and you'll face return shipping fees (typically £40-100 per box), potential storage penalties if items sat in receiving, and lost sales during the rejection period. Most rejections happen within 48 hours of delivery, and Amazon rarely makes exceptions—even for small labelling errors. The total cost averages £400-1,500 per rejected shipment when you factor in all the knock-on effects.

Do I really need to use an FBA prep service?

Not necessarily if you're shipping fewer than 50 units monthly and have time to learn Amazon's requirements thoroughly. However, once you're doing 100+ units per month, the time spent prepping (5-10 minutes per unit) plus the risk of costly rejections makes prep services worthwhile. We see most sellers transition to prep services around the 200-300 unit monthly mark.

How much does FBA prep cost per unit?

Professional FBA prep typically costs £0.75-2.25 per unit depending on complexity. Basic labelling might be £0.75-1.00, poly bagging adds £0.30-0.50, and bubble wrap or special packaging runs £0.50-0.75 more. China-based prep centres like ours often offer 20-30% lower rates than US-based services because we're receiving your products directly from the factory.

What are the most common FBA rejection reasons?

In order of frequency: 1) FNSKU labels that won't scan properly (wrinkled, low-quality printing, wrong placement), 2) Missing suffocation warnings on poly bags, 3) Boxes exceeding weight limits (over 22kg without 'Team Lift' labels), 4) Expired or near-expiry dates on food/cosmetics, 5) Mixed SKUs in one box without proper separation. About 80% of rejections are entirely preventable with proper prep.

Can I ship directly from China to Amazon FBA?

Yes, but it's risky without a prep service. Chinese suppliers rarely understand Amazon's specific requirements, and one rejection can cost more than months of prep fees. The smarter approach: Ship from your supplier to a China-based prep centre (like ours in Shenzhen), we handle all FBA compliance, then consolidated shipment to Amazon. This typically saves 30-40% compared to shipping to your home country first.

How long does FBA prep take?

Standard prep takes 2-4 business days once we receive your inventory. If you're shipping directly from a Chinese factory to our Shenzhen facility, add 1-2 days for receiving and QC inspection. Rush service is available for an additional fee (24-hour turnaround). The actual shipping to Amazon then takes 5-7 days for US warehouses, 3-5 days for UK/EU.

Amazon FBA Prep Requirements: Complete 2025 Checklist

Here's a sobering truth from my years managing FBA shipments: rejections cost sellers an average of £400-1,500 per rejected shipment when you factor in return fees, storage penalties, and lost sales. I've seen brilliant product launches completely derailed because someone skipped a single step in Amazon's prep requirements.

The frustrating bit? About 80% of these rejections are completely preventable. After processing thousands of FBA shipments through our Shenzhen facility, I can tell you exactly where sellers go wrong—and more importantly, how to avoid these costly mistakes in 2025.

Why FBA Prep Matters More in 2025

Amazon has tightened FBA requirements significantly:

Stricter labeling enforcement: FNSKU labels must be Amazon-compliant (no homemade labels)
Packaging violations = instant rejection: Poly bags, bubble wrap, and box dimensions must be perfect
Higher fees for non-compliance: FBA fees increased $0.30 per unit for improperly prepped items
Longer approval times: Problem shipments can sit in receiving for 2-4 weeks

⚠️ 2025 Fee Increase

FBA fulfillment fees now include:

Base FBA fee: +$0.30 per unit
Storage fees: +15% for aged inventory
Non-compliance penalties: $50-$200 per shipment

The Complete FBA Prep Checklist

1. Product Labeling Requirements

✅ FNSKU Label Standards:

• Size: 1" x 2" minimum (2.5 cm x 6.3 cm)
• Material: White matte sticker paper (not glossy)
• Scannable: Barcode must scan at 6-12 inches distance
• Placement: Flat surface, not over seams or curves
• Coverage: Must cover manufacturer barcode completely

2. Poly Bag Requirements

Products requiring poly bags (apparel, textiles, small items):

• Thickness: 1.5 mil minimum (FDA-approved food-safe for edibles)
• Suffocation warning: Required if bag opening ≥ 5 inches
• Closure: Self-sealing or taped shut (no loose bags)
• Transparency: Clear or translucent only (no black/opaque)
• Barcode visibility: FNSKU must be scannable through bag OR label on outside

3. Box Dimension & Weight Limits

Box Type	Max Dimensions	Max Weight
Standard Box	25" x 16" x 12"	50 lbs
Oversized Box	Up to 108" total	150 lbs
Pallet	48" x 40" x 72"	1,500 lbs

4. Hazmat & Dangerous Goods

🚨 Products requiring special approval:

• Lithium batteries: Require UN 38.3 test certification
• Aerosols: Must be marked "Limited Quantity" with hazmat sticker
• Flammable liquids: Alcohol content >24% requires documentation
• Magnets: Strong magnets need special packaging

Solution: FBA prep centers handle hazmat documentation and compliance automatically.

DIY Prep vs. Professional FBA Prep Center

❌ DIY FBA Prep Challenges

• Time-intensive: 5-10 minutes per unit for proper prep
• Equipment costs: Label printers, poly bags, bubble wrap, boxes
• Error risk: One mislabeled unit can reject entire shipment
• Learning curve: Requirements change quarterly
• Storage space: Need warehouse for inventory + supplies

✅ Professional Prep Center Benefits

• 99.9% compliance rate: Experts know every requirement
• Cost-effective: $1-3 per unit (less than your time)
• Direct to FBA: Ship from China → Prep → Amazon in one flow
• Bulk discounts: Negotiated shipping rates to Amazon
• Scalability: Handle 10 units or 10,000 units

China-to-FBA Direct Shipping

The most cost-effective strategy: Ship from China directly to an FBA prep center in Shenzhen, then consolidated shipments to Amazon:

💰 Cost Comparison (1,000 units):

Traditional Route:

China → Your Warehouse → DIY Prep → Amazon = $4,200 + 50 hours

Direct-to-FBA Route:

China → PFC Prep Center → Amazon = $2,100 + 2 hours

✅ Savings: $2,100 + 48 hours per shipment

Common FBA Rejection Reasons

Label not scannable: Wrinkled, torn, or low-quality printing
Missing suffocation warning: Poly bags without required text
Box too heavy: Exceeding weight limits causes manual handling fees
Expiration dates: Food/cosmetics must have dates visible and >90 days out
Incompatible co-mingling: Mixed SKUs in one box without proper separation

Avoid FBA Rejections Forever

Our China-based FBA prep center handles all compliance requirements automatically.

Get FBA Prep Quote

Prep Center Selection Criteria

When choosing an FBA prep partner, verify:

Location advantage: China-based centers save on international shipping
Amazon partnership status: Official FBA Prep Service Provider badge
Real-time inventory tracking: Dashboard visibility into prep status
Quality photos: Pre-inspection photos before prep begins
Hazmat certification: Ability to handle dangerous goods compliance

Ready to streamline your FBA prep? Learn more about our Amazon FBA solutions and how we help sellers scale with zero rejections.