Omar Khalid
Amazon has specific packaging requirements for its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, which vary depending on the products being shipped and how they are being sent (individually, in sets, or case-packed). While plastic bags can be used to package products for Amazon, the company has been actively reducing its use of plastic packaging. In 2022, Amazon replaced single-use plastic delivery bags with paper and cardboard packaging in Europe, avoiding over 1 billion plastic bags since 2019. Amazon also removed single-use plastic packaging from its fulfillment network in India in 2020 and stopped using plastic delivery bags for most orders from Japanese fulfillment centers in the same year. In 2023, Amazon announced its first US automated fulfillment center to eliminate single-use plastic packaging, and the company has since retrofitted over 120 automated packing machines to create paper bags instead of plastic ones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic packaging reduction | In 2024, Amazon reduced its total plastic packaging globally by 16.4% by 9% across its global operations network, building on a 17% reduction in 2022 |
| Shipping settings | If you use default shipping, Amazon will ask you to send to different FCs if you choose "Individual products". Amazon will not split individual cases |
| Individual cases | Amazon may give you multiple destinations for multiple cases, but if you send a single case, it will not ask you to split it |
| Default shipping | You can send multiple units under a single case pack, assuming they are identical items, and you won't have to split the shipment or pay a placement fee for each unit |
| Inventory placement | Amazon will charge a per-unit fee (usually $.50) and may select multiple FCs |
| Amazon poly bags | Used to keep products clean and in good condition during transit and at the warehouse, and to ensure all components of a product or bundle stay together |
| Suffocation warning | Poly bags with a 5-inch opening or larger must have a suffocation warning either printed on the bag or attached as a label |
| Thickness | The thickness of the poly bag must be at least 1.5mm |
| Transparency | The poly bag must be transparent |
| Barcode | The poly bag must have a barcode or XOO-label that is scannable through the bag or have an XOO or ASIN label on the outside of the bag |
| Sealed | The poly bag must be completely sealed |
| Overboxing | For extra-large or heavy items, Amazon may require an additional exterior box, as well as for exceptionally fragile items that don't pass drop tests |
| Case-packed products | All units in the case must be identical regarding SKU and condition. Mixing is not allowed. Quantities per case must be consistent across all cases |
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What You'll Learn
Amazon's plastic packaging reduction
Amazon has implemented several initiatives to reduce its use of plastic packaging and improve sustainability. Firstly, Amazon prioritizes eliminating unnecessary packaging and optimizing the type, material, and weight of additional packaging required for safe delivery.
One significant effort is the "Ships in Product Packaging" program, which certifies products that can be shipped safely in their original manufacturer's packaging without any extra Amazon packaging. This approach minimizes packaging waste and optimizes delivery vehicle space. In 2024, Amazon shipped 12% of its orders globally without any additional packaging, contributing to a reduction of 152,062 metric tons of single-use plastic packaging since 2020.
Amazon also focuses on transitioning from plastic to paper-based packaging solutions. In 2022, the company replaced single-use plastic delivery bags and air pillows with 100% recyclable paper and cardboard packaging in its European fulfillment network. Similarly, Amazon removed single-use plastic packaging from its fulfillment network in India in 2020 and stopped using single-use plastic delivery bags for most orders from its fulfillment centers in Japan.
In 2023, Amazon announced its first U.S. automated fulfillment center in Ohio, aiming to eliminate plastic delivery packaging by transitioning to paper filler and made-to-fit paper bags. This initiative is part of a multi-year effort to remove plastic delivery packaging from North American fulfillment centers, with a particular focus on replacing plastic air pillows. In 2024, Amazon announced its largest reduction in plastic packaging in North America, avoiding nearly 15 billion plastic air pillows annually.
Additionally, Amazon is committed to making its packaging more recyclable. In 2023, the company announced that 100% of delivery packaging in Europe was household recyclable, and by 2024, there was a significant decrease in shipments containing single-use plastic packaging in North America. Amazon also began early-stage testing on bio-based bags made from organic sources in Spain.
Through these initiatives, Amazon reduced its total plastic packaging globally by 16.4% in 2024, building on a 17% reduction in 2022.
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FBA fees and individual vs case packing
When setting up a shipment in your Amazon Seller Central account, you will be asked to choose between two packing types: case-packed or individual products. Case-packed products are sold individually, while multipacks are sold as a set.
FBA fees
There are two different FBA fulfilment fee pricing structures:
- Low-Price FBA fulfilment fee pricing — used when an item is priced under $10
- Regular FBA fulfilment fee pricing — used when an item is priced at $10 or above
The fulfilment fee varies depending on the product size and shipping weight of an item. There are four main product sizing tiers: Small standard, Large standard, Large bulky, and Extra-large. Within each pricing tier, the shipping weight determines the fulfilment fee for each individual package.
Other FBA fees include:
- Long-term storage fees for inventory that remains unsold for more than 365 days
- Labelling fees for sellers who do not follow Amazon's barcode label specifications
- Unplanned FBA prep fees for sellers who have not prepared products in accordance with packaging and prep guidelines
- Manual processing fees for sellers who do not provide information on a shipment's contents
- Per-unit fees for distributing inventory to fulfilment centres closer to customers
Individual vs case packing
There is no difference in cost or fees between individual and case packing. However, case-packed products may be processed slightly faster.
If you choose default shipping, Amazon will ask you to send to different fulfilment centres if you choose "Individual products". However, if you send single cases with multiple units, Amazon will not ask you to split the shipments. On the other hand, if you choose inventory placement, Amazon will charge you a per-unit fee and may select multiple fulfilment centres.
Plastic bags
Amazon has been working to reduce its use of plastic packaging. In 2024, the company reduced its total plastic packaging globally by 16.4%, building on a 17% reduction in 2022. Amazon has also shipped 12% of its orders globally without any additional packaging. The company prioritises paper-based packaging solutions where possible and has replaced single-use plastic delivery bags with recyclable paper and cardboard packaging in Europe.
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Amazon's poly bag requirements
Amazon has been actively reducing its plastic packaging since 2020. In 2022, the company removed single-use, thin-film plastic packaging from its fulfillment network in India. In Japan, Amazon stopped packing items in single-use plastic delivery bags from its fulfillment centres, except for some services such as chilled or frozen products. In Europe, Amazon replaced single-use plastic delivery bags and air pillows with 100% recyclable paper and cardboard packaging.
Despite this, polybags are still used in Amazon's packaging. Here are the requirements for their use:
- Poly bags must be completely sealed.
- The poly bag or shrink wrap must not protrude more than 3" past the dimensions of the product.
- Poly bags with a 5" opening or larger (measured when flat) are required to have a suffocation warning, either printed on the bag itself or attached as a label. The warning should be printed or placed in a prominent location and in a legible font size for the bag size.
- The thickness of the bag must be at least 1.5 mil (thousandths of an inch).
- The poly bag must be transparent, except for adult items, which require black, non-transparent polybags.
- The poly bag must have a barcode (UPC, EAN, GCID, ISBN, ASIN, FNSKU, etc.) or X00-label that is scannable through the bag or have an X00- or ASIN-label on the outside of the bag.
Polybags are needed in certain conditions, including:
- When you want to stop leaks or spills from harming other things in a package. This is especially true for liquids and powders.
- Toys or clothes with tiny exposed parts.
- Directly touchable products, like clothing or kitchen gear, even if they’re in a box.
- Small items and loose parts that can get separated.
- Sharp or fragile items that could harm other items.
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Packaging criteria for FBA products
Amazon has strict packaging standards to ensure the safe handling of products. If sellers fail to follow these requirements, they may face product rejection, additional fees, or even suspension from the program.
Firstly, it is important to note that Amazon will not split individual cases. If you ship two cases of products, Amazon may give you two destinations, but if you send a single case, it will never ask you to split the case.
When it comes to the packaging itself, boxes must not exceed 25 inches on any side or weigh more than 50 lbs unless the item itself is larger. If the weight surpasses 50 lbs, include a "Team Lift" label, and for boxes over 100 lbs, a "Mechanical Lift" label is required. Boxes exceeding 33 lbs must also display "Team Lift" or "Heavy Package" labels on the top and sides (a total of five labels).
Amazon provides detailed guidelines on the materials that can be used for packaging. For instance, bubble wrap, full sheets of paper, and inflatable air pillows are recommended, while packing peanuts, foam strips, crinkle wrap, and shredded paper should be avoided.
For fragile items, a 3-foot drop test must be passed without breaking, and these items must be wrapped in protective packaging like bubble wrap. At least two inches of cushioning material should be used between the product and the interior walls of the box.
Every product also needs a clear, scannable label, such as a barcode or QR code. If using FNSKU labels, ensure they meet the standard of 1x2 inches and are easy to read.
In terms of sustainability, Amazon has been working to reduce its use of plastic packaging. In 2024, the company reduced its total plastic packaging globally by 16.4%, building on a 17% reduction in 2022. Amazon prioritises paper-based packaging solutions where possible, and has replaced single-use plastic delivery bags with recyclable paper and cardboard packaging in some regions.
Overall, it is crucial for sellers to follow Amazon's detailed packaging guidelines to ensure their products are handled safely and efficiently, and to avoid any potential issues or additional costs.
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Amazon's cardboard box requirements
Amazon has strict requirements for shipping boxes, which must also meet customs and transportation security standards. When additional Amazon packaging is required, the company prioritises paper-based packaging solutions, which can often be recycled through home recycling pickup.
For example, in Europe, Amazon replaced single-use plastic delivery bags and air pillows with 100% recyclable paper and cardboard packaging in 2022. Similarly, in India, the company removed single-use, thin-film plastic packaging from its fulfilment network in 2020.
Amazon has a list of acceptable standard boxes that can be used for shipping to Amazon FBA. A regular slotted carton (RSC) is probably the most common type of shipping box. A B-Flute box, with a thickness of 1/8", was originally designed to store canned goods, and is also suitable for printing or cutting. However, it may not be suitable for heavier products. A 32 edge crush test box can withstand stacking pressure of 32lbs per inch of edge without collapsing.
Different Amazon marketplaces have different requirements for box size and weight. For example, a single item weighing more than 50lb (23kg) must have a team lift label attached to the shipping box. Likewise, a single item exceeding 100lb (45kg) requires a mech lift label.
Customs requirements vary by country, but many countries, including the USA, Europe, Chile, Argentina, and Saudi Arabia, require country-of-origin information on the shipping boxes.
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Frequently asked questions
Amazon has been actively reducing its plastic packaging. In 2022, the company removed single-use plastic delivery bags and air pillows from its European fulfillment network, replacing them with 100% recyclable paper and cardboard packaging. Similar initiatives have been implemented in India, Japan, and Australia, with a focus on transitioning to paper-based and sustainable alternatives.
Yes, Amazon encourages the use of paper-based packaging solutions and recyclable materials whenever possible. In some cases, products can be shipped in their original manufacturer's packaging without additional Amazon packaging. This minimizes packaging waste and optimizes delivery vehicle space.
Poly bags are clear, self-sealing plastic bags used to protect products during transit and ensure all components stay together. Amazon's poly bag policy requires a suffocation warning label on the bag, and the bag must meet minimum thickness standards of at least 1.5mm and be fully sealed. The product's barcode must remain scannable through the poly bag or be attached to the exterior.
Case-packing can impact shipping costs and fulfillment. Amazon may choose different shipping destinations based on whether products are case-packed or shipped individually. Default shipping is usually recommended for case-packed products to avoid splitting shipments and incurring per-unit fees. It's important to consider Amazon's specific packaging requirements for FBA sellers, including size, material, and labelling criteria.
