Sending your first shipment to Amazon FBA can feel daunting, but Amazon's Seller Central workflow guides you through each stage. Once you have done it once, the process becomes routine. Here is exactly how it works.
Step 1 — Make sure your products are listed in Seller Central
Before you can send inventory to FBA, each product needs an active listing in your Seller Central account. If you are listing an existing product, search for it using the product name or ASIN and add it to your inventory. If it is a new product, create a listing from scratch.
Once the listing exists, set the fulfilment method to Fulfilled by Amazon.
Step 2 — Create a Shipping Plan
In Seller Central, go to Inventory > Send to Amazon (or Manage FBA Shipments). This is where you create your shipment:
- Select the products you want to send
- Enter the quantity of each unit
- Choose your packaging type (individual units, case-packed units, or mixed SKU boxes)
- Confirm your ship-from address
Amazon will then assign your inventory to one or more fulfilment centres based on capacity and demand. Sometimes a single shipment gets split across two or three locations.
Step 3 — Label your units with FNSKU barcodes
Each unit you send to Amazon needs an FNSKU barcode label. FNSKU (Fulfilment Network Stock Keeping Unit) is Amazon's internal identifier that ties the item to your seller account.
You can handle labelling in two ways:
Label it yourself — Amazon provides the FNSKU barcode file in Seller Central. Print the labels on sticker paper and apply them over any existing barcodes on each unit. Amazon requires the label to be scannable and not placed on a curved or sealed surface.
Use Amazon's FBA Label Service — Amazon can apply labels for you for a per-unit fee (currently around £0.20/unit). This is useful if you are shipping directly from a supplier.
Step 4 — Pack your boxes
Amazon has specific requirements for how boxes are packed:
- Maximum box weight: 23kg (50 lbs)
- Minimum box dimensions: 6 inches on each side
- Do not exceed these — Amazon may reject overweight boxes at the warehouse
- Use appropriate padding (bubble wrap, air pillows, or paper fill) to protect items
- Tape all seams of the box securely
For case-packed products (multiple units of the same ASIN in one box), the number of units per case must remain consistent across all boxes.
Step 5 — Print box labels and ship
Amazon generates a shipment ID label (often called a "box label") for each box in your shipment. Print these and apply them clearly on the outside of each box. Then ship the boxes using the carrier of your choice:
- Partnered Carrier option — Amazon offers discounted rates through their partnered carriers (UPS, DHL). Rates are often lower than booking directly.
- Non-partnered carrier — you can use any carrier, but you are responsible for tracking and delivery confirmation.
Step 6 — Track your shipment
After handing over to the carrier, you can track the shipment status in Seller Central under Manage FBA Shipments. Once Amazon receives your boxes, they scan in the units. This typically takes 1–5 business days. After check-in, your inventory shows as "Active" and is available for customers to purchase.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing or damaged FNSKU labels — units without a scannable barcode will be held or returned
- Mismatched quantities — make sure the units in your shipment match exactly what you entered in Seller Central
- Prohibited items — some products require special prep or are not eligible for FBA at all; check Amazon's FBA prohibited products list before shipping
- Over-weight boxes — boxes over 23kg will be refused at the fulfilment centre