FBA prep is the process of preparing products to meet Amazon’s Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) requirements before they are sent to Amazon fulfilment centres. This includes labelling, packaging, poly bagging, bundling, and ensuring all items comply with Amazon’s rules.

Why is FBA prep important for Amazon sellers?

Correct FBA prep is essential because Amazon can reject, rework, or charge additional fees for non-compliant inventory. Proper preparation helps avoid delays, reduce unexpected costs, and ensure products are available for sale as quickly as possible.

What are Amazon’s main FBA prep requirements?

Amazon’s FBA prep requirements typically include correct FNSKU labelling, secure packaging, suffocation warnings for poly bags, compliant bundles, accurate carton labelling, and meeting size and weight limits for boxes and pallets.

Which products require FBA prep?

Most products sent to Amazon fulfilment centres require some level of FBA prep. This includes private label items, wholesale products, online arbitrage stock, fragile goods, multipacks, and items that require special labelling or packaging.

Can I do FBA prep myself?

Yes, sellers can handle FBA prep themselves if they follow Amazon’s guidelines carefully. However, many sellers choose professional FBA prep services to save time, reduce errors, and lower the risk of Amazon compliance issues.

How can FBA prep help reduce Amazon fees?

Accurate FBA prep can help reduce Amazon fees by avoiding labelling and prep service charges, preventing rework fees, and ensuring shipments meet Amazon’s carton and pallet requirements, which can lower inbound shipping costs.

What is FNSKU labelling in FBA prep?

FNSKU labelling is the process of applying Amazon-specific barcode labels to each product unit. These labels allow Amazon to track inventory correctly and ensure items are attributed to the right seller.

How long does FBA prep usually take?

FBA prep turnaround times vary depending on product type, volume, and complexity. Standard FBA prep is often completed within 1 to 3 working days, while larger or more complex shipments may take longer.

What happens if my products are not FBA prep compliant?

If products are not compliant, Amazon may reject the shipment, apply additional prep or rework fees, delay check-in, or in some cases dispose of or return the inventory at the seller’s expense.

Is FBA prep different for UK sellers?

Yes, UK FBA prep must follow Amazon UK and EU-specific requirements, including labelling standards, packaging rules, and inbound shipping guidelines for UK fulfilment centres.

FBA Prep Guide UK: How to Meet Amazon Requirements & Cut Costs

FastPack
Jan 20
7 min read

Getting products into Amazon’s fulfilment centres is rarely as simple as boxing items and booking a courier. For UK sellers using Fulfilment by Amazon, FBA prep is one of the most common causes of delays, unexpected fees, rejected shipments and even account health issues.

Every year, sellers invest thousands of pounds into stock only to see it stuck in receiving, marked as unfulfillable, or hit with additional prep charges that quietly erode profit margins. In most cases, the problem is not the product. It is a lack of understanding around Amazon’s FBA prep requirements.

The good news is that FBA prep does not need to be stressful or complicated. With the right systems, knowledge and support, you can streamline your inbound process, stay compliant with Amazon UK standards, and scale your business with confidence.

In this guide, we break down everything UK sellers need to know about FBA prep. From the fundamentals of how FBA works to common prep mistakes, cost considerations, and advanced strategies used by high performing sellers. We also explain how working with a specialist provider like FastPack FBA can save time, money and headaches as your Amazon business grows.

What Is FBA and Why FBA Prep Matters

Fulfilment by Amazon, commonly known as FBA, is Amazon’s end to end logistics service for sellers. Instead of storing, packing and shipping orders yourself, you send your inventory to Amazon fulfilment centres. Amazon then handles picking, packing, delivery, customer service and returns.

For UK sellers, FBA offers several advantages. Prime eligibility, fast delivery, trusted customer service and improved conversion rates all make FBA attractive. However, these benefits only apply if your inventory arrives fully compliant with Amazon’s requirements.

That is where FBA prep becomes critical.

FBA prep refers to the process of preparing products so they meet Amazon’s inbound standards before they reach a fulfilment centre. This includes correct labelling, packaging, carton weight limits, expiration date visibility and compliance with category specific rules.

If your products are not prepped correctly, Amazon may relabel them, repackage them, delay receiving, or reject the shipment entirely. Each outcome costs money and time, and repeated issues can impact your seller account health.

At FastPack FBA, we see first hand how small prep errors can turn into expensive problems. That is why mastering FBA prep is not optional. It is a core part of running a sustainable Amazon business.

How the FBA Process Works from a Seller’s Perspective

Understanding the full FBA workflow helps clarify where prep fits into the bigger picture.

First, you create a shipment plan in Amazon Seller Central. You specify the products, quantities and packaging details, and Amazon tells you which fulfilment centres to send inventory to. UK sellers often benefit from Amazon partnered carriers, which offer discounted inbound shipping rates.

Next comes FBA prep. This stage happens before anything leaves your warehouse, supplier, or prep centre. Products must be packaged, labelled and boxed exactly according to Amazon’s guidelines.

Once prepped, the inventory is shipped to Amazon. When it arrives, Amazon scans each unit, checks compliance and makes the stock available for sale.

From there, Amazon fulfils customer orders, handles delivery, manages returns and provides customer support.

The entire system depends on clean, accurate inbound prep. If prep is wrong, the process breaks down before sales even begin.

Amazon UK Inventory Performance Index and Its Impact

Amazon measures how well sellers manage inventory using the Inventory Performance Index, often referred to as IPI. This score ranges from zero to one thousand and directly affects how much storage space you are allocated in Amazon fulfilment centres.

For UK sellers, an IPI score above four hundred generally unlocks fewer storage restrictions and more flexibility. Lower scores can result in storage caps, higher fees and limited growth.

Your IPI score is influenced by four main factors.

Excess inventory measures how much stock is sitting unsold beyond forecasted demand.

Sell through tracks how quickly your inventory moves compared to how much you send in.

Stranded inventory refers to stock that cannot be sold due to listing or compliance issues.

In stock rate shows how consistently your best selling products remain available.

Poor FBA prep can negatively affect all four metrics. Mislabelled units can become stranded.

Delayed receiving reduces sell through. Over sending stock increases excess inventory.

Good prep is not just about avoiding fees. It directly supports a healthier IPI score and better long term performance.

The Pros and Cons of Using FBA for UK Sellers

FBA can be a powerful growth engine, but it is not without trade offs.

Advantages of FBA

Prime eligibility remains one of the biggest benefits. Products fulfilled by Amazon qualify for Prime delivery, which increases visibility and buyer trust. Many UK shoppers filter searches by Prime availability.

Amazon’s logistics network is another major advantage. Orders are delivered quickly and reliably, often next day. This improves customer satisfaction and reduces negative feedback.

Storage and inventory management are simplified. Stock can move directly from your supplier to Amazon or via a prep partner like FastPack FBA, with real time tracking inside Seller Central.

Customer service and returns are handled by Amazon, reducing workload and allowing sellers to focus on sourcing and marketing.

Disadvantages to Consider

FBA fees can add up quickly. In addition to fulfilment fees, sellers must factor in storage fees, long term storage charges, returns processing and inbound placement fees.

Branding control is limited. Amazon enforces strict packaging rules, which means limited ability to include inserts or customised branding.

Inventory forecasting is not always perfect. Overstocking leads to excess inventory fees, while understocking means missed sales.

Competition can be intense, particularly when Amazon itself sells similar products.

Understanding these pros and cons helps sellers decide when FBA makes sense and when alternative fulfilment models may be more suitable.

Common FBA Prep Mistakes UK Sellers Make

Many FBA issues stem from avoidable mistakes during prep. Below are the most common problems we see.

Incorrect Labelling

Every unit sent to FBA must have a scannable FNSKU label that matches the correct ASIN and condition. If labels are missing, duplicated, placed incorrectly or do not cover existing barcodes, Amazon may reject or relabel your products at a cost.

Poor Packaging Choices

Amazon has detailed packaging rules by product category. Fragile items require sufficient protection. Liquids must be sealed properly. Sharp items need protective covers. Using the wrong materials can lead to damage, customer complaints and removal orders.

Missing Documentation

Shipments without accurate shipment plans, packing details or invoices may be delayed or refused. This is especially important for regulated products or branded goods.

Overweight or Underpacked Cartons

Standard cartons must not exceed fifty pounds unless they contain a single oversized item.

Overweight boxes slow down receiving and often incur penalties. Underpacked boxes risk damage in transit.

Ignoring Expiration Dates

Products with expiration dates must display them clearly in the required format. Amazon also requires a minimum remaining shelf life at the time of receipt. Failure to comply results in disposal or returns at your expense.

Hazardous Materials Non Compliance

Items containing batteries, chemicals or flammable components must be declared and prepped according to Amazon’s hazmat guidelines. Non compliance can lead to account level issues.

How to Prep Items for FBA Correctly

While each product category has specific requirements, there are general rules all sellers should follow.

Cartons should not exceed fifty pounds unless they contain a single oversized item. Items over fifty pounds require a team lift label. Items over one hundred pounds require a mechanical lift label.

Palletised shipments must be shrink wrapped, stable and within height and weight limits. Boxes must not overhang the pallet.

All old shipping labels and markings should be removed to avoid scanning errors.

Expiration dates must be visible without opening the packaging.

Loose fill materials such as packing peanuts or shredded paper are not allowed.

If your product does not have a scannable barcode, Amazon can label it for a fee. However, this does not replace the need for proper prep.

Working with a specialist FBA prep provider ensures these requirements are met consistently.

Is FBA Worth It for UK Sellers

FBA is often worth it if you sell products that move quickly, benefit from Prime delivery and fit within Amazon’s fee structure.

It works particularly well for sellers who send smaller, frequent shipments and maintain strong sell through rates.

However, FBA only delivers results when prep is done correctly. Poor prep turns FBA from a growth tool into a cost centre.

This is why many growing sellers choose to outsource FBA prep to experts.

Why Use a Professional FBA Prep Service

As order volumes increase, managing FBA prep in house becomes time consuming and error prone. A professional FBA prep service like FastPack FBA provides consistency, compliance and scalability.

At FastPack FBA, we specialise in UK based FBA prep for Amazon sellers of all sizes. Our team understands Amazon UK requirements inside out and stays up to date with policy changes.

We handle product inspection, labelling, packaging, bundling and palletisation according to Amazon standards. We also work closely with sellers to optimise carton configuration and reduce inbound shipping costs.

Using a trusted prep partner allows sellers to focus on sourcing, listings and growth rather than operational headaches.

FBA Prep FAQs

Do I get unlimited storage space with FBA

No. Storage limits are based on your Inventory Performance Index score and account history.

How are returns handled with FBA

Amazon manages customer returns, inspects returned items and determines whether they are sellable. Fees may apply.

How much does FBA cost in the UK

FBA fees depend on product size, weight and category. Storage fees increase during peak seasons. Hidden fees can include inbound placement and low inventory level fees.

Can I prep inventory myself

Yes, but you are responsible for full compliance. Many sellers choose to outsource to reduce risk and save time.

Master Your FBA Prep with FastPack FBA

FBA prep is not just a technical requirement. It is a strategic advantage when done properly. Sellers who master prep reduce costs, protect account health and scale faster on Amazon UK.

Whether you are just starting out or managing high volume shipments, having the right prep process in place makes all the difference.

FastPack FBA helps UK sellers meet Amazon’s requirements with confidence. Our experienced team, robust systems and hands on approach ensure your inventory arrives compliant, on time and ready to sell.

If you are ready to simplify your operations and improve your Amazon performance, speak to FastPack FBA today and discover how professional FBA prep can support your growth.