Amazon Stops FBA Labeling and Prep—Are You Ready?

Effective January 1, 2026, Amazon will permanently discontinue all Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) prep and labeling services for U.S. inbound shipments. This policy applies to all FBA inventory—whether shipped directly, through Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD), Amazon Global Logistics (AGL), Amazon SEND, or via the Supply Chain Portal.

This update represents a major shift in Amazon’s fulfillment operations and will have a significant impact on sellers that rely on Amazon for services like FNSKU labeling, poly bagging, bubble wrapping, and other product preparation tasks. Moving forward, Amazon expects all inventory to be 100% “FBA-ready” before it arrives at its fulfillment centers.

In this guide, we break down the 2026 Amazon FBA prep policy changes, their impact on your ecommerce operations, and how sellers can stay compliant by working with a qualified FBA prep center or third-party logistics provider (3PL).

What Is Changing on January 1, 2026?

Beginning in 2026, Amazon will no longer offer any of the following prep or labeling services for Fulfillment by Amazon:

• FNSKU label application
• Poly bagging and bubble wrapping
• Product bundling and taping
• Opaque bagging for adult products
• Application of safety and suffocation warning labels
• Any manual prep service previously offered at U.S. Amazon fulfillment centers

These changes affect all inbound inventory, including shipments routed through AWD, AGL, SEND, or other Amazon logistics programs.

Why Amazon Is Ending FBA Prep Services

Amazon’s decision to discontinue prep and labeling services reflects a broader shift toward automation and operational efficiency in its fulfillment network.

1. Improved Fulfillment Center Throughput

Prep and labeling are labor-intensive processes that slow down inventory movement. Removing these services allows Amazon to accelerate throughput and reduce bottlenecks, especially during peak seasons like Q4.

2. Emphasis on Automation

Amazon’s fulfillment centers are increasingly automated. Manual services like labeling and poly bagging are incompatible with the company’s push for scalable, robotics-driven fulfillment.

3. Shift Toward Seller-Owned Compliance

By requiring sellers to handle all prep before inventory reaches Amazon, the company reinforces a model in which sellers (or their partners) bear full responsibility for compliance and readiness.

4. Alignment with Enterprise Fulfillment Standards

Many larger brands already use external 3PLs or internal teams to prep FBA inventory. This change aligns Amazon’s logistics model with more mature supply chains and encourages smaller sellers to upgrade their workflows.

How the 2026 Amazon FBA Prep Policy Affects Sellers

The elimination of prep and labeling services will directly affect seller operations in several key areas:

Higher Operational Costs

Sellers who previously used Amazon’s services will now need to cover labor and material costs associated with FBA prep—either by handling it in-house or working with a 3PL.

Increased Risk of Inventory Rejection

Inventory that arrives at Amazon fulfillment centers without proper prep or labeling will be rejected, delayed, or subject to penalty fees. Incomplete compliance may also result in account suspension or removal of ASINs.

Longer Time to Market

Without a plan in place, sellers risk slower speed to shelf and reduced sales velocity, particularly during time-sensitive sales periods.

Greater Demand for Reliable FBA Prep Partners

Many brands will now need to outsource FBA prep services to avoid disruptions and ensure compliance with Amazon’s strict inbound shipment guidelines.

What Sellers Should Do to Prepare

1. Build an In-House Amazon FBA Prep Process

If you plan to handle prep internally, make sure your team can manage:

• FNSKU barcode printing and placement
• Poly bagging, bubble wrapping, and bundling
• Amazon-compliant safety labeling
• Packing and labeling per Amazon’s FBA prep requirements

Internal prep may be viable for some brands, but it often adds labor complexity and warehousing costs.

2. Partner with a Certified Amazon FBA Prep Center or 3PL

Outsourcing to a 3PL that specializes in FBA prep is the most scalable solution. An experienced provider can offer:

• Accurate FNSKU and carton labeling
• Poly bagging, bubble wrapping, and retail packaging
• Custom kitting and bundling
• Palletization and freight forwarding
• Compliance with Amazon’s shipment creation and ASN standards
• Direct integration with Amazon Seller Central for real-time visibility

Our 3PL facility is fully equipped to prep, label, and ship your inventory directly to Amazon FBA warehouses with guaranteed compliance.

3. Coordinate with Manufacturers and Co-Packers

For sellers importing goods or working with overseas manufacturers, ensure prep is completed before shipment. You may need to provide:

• Digital barcode files
• Label placement instructions
• Packaging specifications
• Required inserts or marketing materials

Our FBA Prep Services: Ready for the 2026 Deadline

We offer end-to-end Amazon FBA prep and fulfillment solutions designed to keep your business compliant, efficient, and scalable in 2026 and beyond.

Our FBA prep services include:

• FNSKU labeling
• Case and carton labeling
• Poly bagging and shrink wrapping
• Product bundling and custom kitting
• Pallet storage and inventory forwarding
• Shipedge integration for Amazon Seller Central

We support both direct-to-FBA shipments and Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) routing. Our team is trained to meet Amazon’s inbound shipment standards and ensure error-free delivery to fulfillment centers across the U.S.

Why You Need to Act Now

Amazon’s FBA prep and labeling policy change is more than just a procedural update—it is a fundamental shift in how inventory must be prepared for entry into Amazon’s logistics network. Brands that fail to prepare will face costly delays, rejected shipments, and account health risks.

Whether you’re a growing brand or an established Amazon seller, now is the time to audit your supply chain, update your SOPs, and identify a qualified prep partner.