Getting your packaging right before you send stock to an Amazon UK fulfilment centre is essential. Units that arrive incorrectly packaged or labelled can be rejected, held, or returned — costing you time and money. Here are the key Amazon FBA packaging requirements for UK sellers.
Unit-level packaging requirements
Each individual unit you send to Amazon FBA must be ready to ship to a customer as-is. Requirements include:
Loose products — Items that are not pre-packaged must be placed in a sealed poly bag or box. The packaging must survive a 3-foot drop test without opening or breaking.
Poly-bagged items — If using poly bags, the bag opening must be sealed. Bags must have a suffocation warning printed or attached if the opening is larger than 5 inches. The barcode must be scannable through the bag, or applied to the outside.
Set items (sold as sets) — Products sold as a set must be clearly marked "Sold as Set" and packaged together so they cannot be separated. Each set is treated as one unit.
Fragile items — Must be packaged so they can withstand the standard drop test. Amazon requires at least 2 inches of cushioning on all sides for fragile products.
Sharp items — Must be packaged to prevent injury during handling. Exposed blades, edges, or points must be shielded.
Liquids — Must be sealed and double-bagged or placed in packaging that will contain leaks. A "This side up" label is required for liquid containers over 250ml.
FNSKU barcode labelling
Every unit sent to FBA must have an FNSKU (Fulfilment Network Stock Keeping Unit) barcode that Amazon can scan. This barcode ties the unit to your seller account and the specific ASIN.
Key labelling rules:
- The FNSKU barcode must be scannable (not damaged, covered, or distorted)
- It must be placed on a flat surface (not a curved edge or sealed seam)
- It must cover or replace any existing manufacturer barcode to prevent scanning confusion
- Minimum label size: 1 × 2 inches
- Do not place FNSKU labels on the bottom of units or in locations that prevent scanning
You can generate FNSKU labels in Seller Central when you create your shipment plan. Print them on standard label paper (A4 or Avery-format stickers work well).
Box and carton requirements
Boxes you ship to Amazon UK fulfilment centres must meet these standards:
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Maximum box weight | 23kg (50 lbs) |
| Maximum box dimensions | No restriction, but see weight limit |
| Minimum box size | 6 inches on each side |
| Box condition | New or like-new corrugated cardboard — no damage, holes, or previous shipping labels visible |
| Tape | Pressure-sensitive tape across all seams (top and bottom) |
| Labels | Amazon-generated box label applied to the outside of each carton |
Overweight boxes (over 23kg) will be refused at the fulfilment centre. If a single unit exceeds 23kg, it must be labelled "Team lift" and handled separately.
Master carton / case-packed shipments
If you are shipping case-packed products (multiple identical units per carton), all cartons in the shipment must contain the same number of units of the same ASIN. Mixed-SKU cases are only allowed in specific shipment workflows in Seller Central.
Common reasons for shipment rejection
- FNSKU barcode missing, unreadable, or on the wrong surface
- Box over 23kg
- Units not individually packaged when required
- Poly bags without suffocation warning
- Loose items not in sealed packaging
- Box label missing or not matching the shipment plan
Do you need a prep centre?
For sellers doing their first few shipments, self-prepping (labelling and packing yourself) is the most cost-effective approach. As you scale, many UK sellers use a prep centre — a third-party service that receives your stock, labels and packages it to Amazon's spec, and sends it on to the fulfilment centre. Costs are typically £0.30–£0.60 per unit depending on the work required.
Prep centres are particularly useful for private label sellers importing from overseas who want to route goods directly from the supplier to the prep centre, avoiding the need to handle stock personally.