5 logistics strategies that can make your EU expansion smoother and faster
1 December 2025
How FLEX handles shipment claims — A behind‑the‑scenes look
1 December 2025Preparing products for Amazon FBA sounds simple at first — pack your items, add labels and ship them to the warehouse. But anyone who has gone through the process knows it’s far from that. Amazon applies strict, highly detailed prep standards, and even one small oversight can trigger extra fees, delays or, in the worst cases, a rejected delivery.
For new FBA sellers and e-commerce brands entering the European market, this can feel overwhelming. How do you know if your cartons meet weight rules? Which products require polybags? Where exactly should pallet labels go? And what happens if Amazon flags your shipment as non-compliant?
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk through the entire FBA preparation process — from unit prep to palletization to shipment creation. You’ll see what to check, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to make sure every inbound shipment is accepted the first time.
Let’s start by breaking down the standards Amazon expects you to follow, even before you seal your first box.
OUR GOAL
To provide an A-to-Z e-commerce logistics solution that would complete Amazon fulfillment network in the European Union.
Step 1 - Understand Amazon’s product preparation standards
Before you start packing anything, you need to understand how Amazon classifies your products and what type of preparation each category requires. This is where many new sellers make their first mistakes — they assume that “a box is a box” and that general packaging rules apply to everything. Unfortunately, Amazon works differently. Every product type has its own expectations, and compliance begins at the unit level.
Know your product type
Amazon groups products into preparation categories based on risk, fragility and safety. Your first task is to identify which category your items fall under. A few common examples:
Liquids and creams – require leak-proof seals, double protection and often polybags.
Fragile items – must be fully protected with adequate cushioning so they can survive automated handling.
Textiles and soft goods – usually need transparent polybags with specific dimensions and warnings.
Baby products – stricter hygiene and packaging rules, often requiring sealed packaging.
Sharp or pointed items – must be safely covered so no edges can pierce packaging.
Knowing the category upfront prevents your shipment from being reworked — something Amazon happily charges extra for.
Polybags: thickness, warnings and ventilation
If your product needs a polybag, Amazon expects the bag to meet very specific technical requirements:
minimum thickness (Amazon usually requires 1.5 mil),
clear visibility of barcodes,
suffocation warnings that follow Amazon’s text and font guidelines,
no loose or open edges,
vent holes if applicable (especially for items that can trap air).
A common beginner mistake is using a random polybag from a supplier. If the bag is too thin or lacks warnings, Amazon classifies it as non-compliant.
Sealed units only
If an item is sold as a single unit, it must be impossible to open during transport. No loose parts, no unsealed flaps, no “just taped lightly”. Amazon’s conveyors and automated systems are rough — anything that can open, will open.
Units must be fully enclosed, sealed and protected so they reach the FC intact.
Bundles and multipacks
If you're selling bundles or multipacks, they must be clearly marked as sets, as otherwise there's a risk they might be separated at the fulfilment centre. Every bundle needs:
a clear “Sold as set – Do not separate” label,
packaging that physically prevents separation,
a single scannable identifier for the entire set (your FNSKU).
Many sellers lose money here because Amazon opens their bundles during inbound checks when they’re not properly secured.
Quick checklist: Are your units compliant?
Do you know which Amazon prep category applies to your product?
Are all units sealed, protected and ready for automated handling?
If using polybags, do they meet the thickness and suffocation-warning standards?
Are barcodes scannable through the packaging?
For bundles: did you add the correct labels and secure the packaging, so units can’t be separated?
Step 2 - Apply proper labelling (FNSKU, carton labels, pallet labels)
Labelling is one of the most common reasons Amazon rejects inbound shipments. The rules are strict, the print quality must be perfect and even small placement mistakes can cause delays. Before you close any carton, make sure every item, box and pallet is labelled exactly the way Amazon expects.
FNSKU: your product’s unique identity inside Amazon
Each unit you send to Amazon must have a scannable FNSKU barcode, unless you use manufacturer barcodes (and only if Amazon allows it for your category).
What matters most:
The FNSKU must clearly identify your item and your brand.
It must be placed on a flat surface, not over edges, curves or seams.
The barcode must not be distorted by tape glare, pattern textures or shrink wrap.
Only one scannable barcode per unit — if the packaging already has a UPC/EAN visible, cover it.
Pro tip: Test-scan a few units before final packing. If your handheld scanner struggles, Amazon will struggle too.
Carton-level labels: accuracy and visibility
Every carton must have Amazon’s required shipping labels and carton content labels. The system generates them during shipment creation, but the responsibility for correct placement is yours.
Key rules:
Attach labels on two adjacent sides, not on the top alone.
Avoid placing labels on corners, textured surfaces or areas covered with tape.
Make sure the content information matches the physical items inside the carton.
Print labels in high contrast — faded ink often leads to manual processing fees.
Amazon relies heavily on automation. If the label can’t be read by scanners, your box will be pulled out of the conveyor system and delayed.
Pallet labels: all four sides, correct height
If you ship on pallets (LTL or FTL), each pallet must have labels on all four sides, placed at a height easily readable by warehouse operators — generally mid-height, not too low and not too high.
What Amazon expects:
Two labels per side for large pallets.
Clear wrapping that doesn’t distort or obscure barcodes.
No labels under stretch wrap unless the wrap is completely transparent and tight.
Misplaced pallet labels often cause entire deliveries to be held at receiving docks.
Common labelling mistakes to avoid
Placing labels over tape or curves (distorts the barcode).
Using low-quality printers that create blurry lines.
Leaving visible UPC/EAN codes (Amazon may scan the wrong one).
Attaching carton labels only on the top.
Printing labels in the wrong size or cropping them when cutting.
Wrapping pallets so tightly that labels crinkle and become unreadable.
Step 3 - Pack units and cartons correctly
Once your units are labelled, it’s time to pack them into cartons. This step seems straightforward, yet it’s another common reason for shipment delays. Amazon’s fulfilment centres handle thousands of boxes every hour, mostly through automated systems. If your cartons are too big, too heavy or poorly filled, they slow down the process — and Amazon penalizes that quickly.
Choose the right type of carton
Not all boxes are created equal. Amazon expects packaging that can handle stacking, conveyor belts and long-distance transport.
What to consider:
Single-wall cartons work for lightweight goods.
Double-wall cartons are recommended for heavier or fragile items.
Boxes must be rigid, undamaged and free from previous markings or labels.
The general rule: if a box feels flimsy in your hands, Amazon will treat it as non-compliant.
Avoid empty space inside cartons
Loose items shift during transport and often arrive damaged. Amazon wants products tightly packed with adequate internal cushioning.
Good practices:
Fill empty spaces with paper void fill or bubble wrap.
Avoid heavy items placed on top of light items.
Ensure that nothing moves when you shake the box gently.
Excess air inside the carton increases the risk of damage — and Amazon may classify it as insufficient prep.
Respect Amazon’s weight and dimension limits
Amazon sets clear thresholds to keep inbound shipments safe and efficient:
23 kg – typical maximum weight for standard cartons sent to most EU FCs.
Oversized cartons are discouraged unless required by the product.
Boxes that are too large relative to their content often get flagged for repacking.
If a carton looks oversized or unusually heavy, assume Amazon will scrutinize it.
Upload accurate Box Content Info
Before sealing the carton, confirm that your content data in Seller Central accurately reflects what’s inside.
Why it matters:
If Amazon cannot match the physical content with the digital info, they will conduct a manual check, which results in additional fees and delays.
Providing accurate box-level data speeds up receiving and reduces the chance of errors at the FC.
Many sellers skip this step when they’re in a hurry — and it’s one of the easiest ways to trigger inbound issues.
Seal cartons securely
A strong seal helps cartons survive both carrier transport and Amazon’s conveyor belts.
Use:
high-quality packing tape,
the “H” taping method (tape across the middle seam + both edges),
double tape for heavy cartons.
Avoid: cheap tape that peels off, tape over corners or wet surfaces, and narrow tape that doesn’t hold under pressure.
Mini-checklist: Is your carton ready?
Is the carton strong enough for the product’s weight?
Does the content fill the box without leaving empty spaces?
Does the weight stay below Amazon’s limits?
Is Box Content Info correct and fully updated?
Is the carton sealed using the H method?
Step 4 - Prepare pallets that meet Amazon’s requirements
If you’re shipping larger quantities via LTL or FTL, pallet preparation becomes just as important as unit and carton prep. Amazon is extremely strict here — one unstable pallet or an overhanging carton can cause the entire delivery to be delayed or refused at the receiving dock. Proper palletization protects your products, speeds up receiving and keeps your shipment compliant.
Use the correct pallet type
Amazon expects standardized pallets that fit safely into their automated handling process.
Key points:
Standard EUR pallet (1200 × 800 mm) for European warehouses.
Pallets must be clean, dry and free of damage (no broken boards or protruding nails).
Only 4-way pallets are accepted — they need to be accessible from all sides by forklift.
If your pallet doesn’t meet these criteria, Amazon may re-stack your goods (at your cost) or reject the shipment entirely.
Stack cartons safely and evenly
A pallet should be stable enough to withstand transport from your warehouse to Amazon’s conveyors.
Best practices:
Align cartons edge-to-edge to create a flat, stable surface.
Distribute weight evenly — heavy cartons at the bottom, lighter ones on top.
Avoid mixing carton sizes unless necessary.
Maintain clean vertical lines with no shifting or leaning.
Stability is critical. Any overhang or “leaning tower” effect increases the risk of damage.
Respect Amazon’s pallet height limits
Amazon typically sets a maximum pallet height of around 1.8 meters, including the pallet base. Some FCs have lower limits, depending on inbound rules.
General advice:
If you’re unsure about the height — stay below the maximum.
Never create overly tall or top-heavy pallets, even if the height is technically allowed.
Over-height pallets are one of the most common reasons for inbound rejection.
Shrink-wrap the pallet securely
Amazon expects pallets to be wrapped tightly enough to prevent movement during transport while keeping labels visible.
Guidelines:
Start wrapping at the pallet base to anchor the film.
Use multiple layers, including criss-cross patterns for better stability.
Apply sufficient tension so cartons won’t shift, but avoid crushing them.
Keep all carton and pallet labels fully visible — no opaque wrap over barcodes.
If you use too little wrap, the pallet becomes unstable. If you use too much tension, you crush the boxes. The goal is balance.
Label all four sides of the pallet
Every pallet must have Amazon-generated pallet labels placed on all four sides.
Key rules:
Labels should be placed at mid-height, easy for operators to scan.
No wrinkles or air bubbles — they distort barcodes.
If you wrap first, apply labels on top of the wrap; if you label first, make sure the wrap is fully transparent.
Missing or poorly placed labels often cause delays at inbound receiving.
When mixed-SKU pallets are acceptable
Not all products can or should be packed on separate pallets. Mixed-SKU pallets are allowed, but:
Each carton must still follow Amazon’s carton-level rules.
The shipment plan must clearly match what’s physically on the pallet.
Pallet labels must reflect the correct grouping.
Incorrectly declared mixed pallets lead to extra checks — and extra fees.
FAQ: Common questions about pallet shipments
“Do I need pallets for SPD shipments?”
No. Small Parcel Delivery (SPD) uses parcel carriers like UPS. You ship individual cartons — no pallets required.
“Can I reuse old pallets from my supplier?”
Only if they are in excellent condition and meet the size and 4-way access requirements. Otherwise, Amazon may reject them.
“What happens if my pallet arrives damaged?”
Amazon may refuse the entire delivery or rework it at your expense. Carriers often deny damage claims if the pallet was poorly secured.
Step 5 - Create the shipment and complete booking in Seller Central
With your units, cartons and pallets ready, the next stage is preparing the digital side of your inbound shipment. Even if your packaging is perfect, incorrect data in Seller Central can slow everything down or trigger unexpected fees. Think of this step as translating your physical shipment into Amazon’s system — every detail must match.
Start by creating a shipment plan
Once your inventory is ready, go to Seller Central → Send to Amazon. Amazon will walk you through three main steps:
Choose the products you’re sending.
Confirm preparation and labelling.
Pack and confirm quantities.
What matters most here is accuracy. Amazon assigns fulfilment centres (FCs) based on stock levels and marketplace needs and you cannot freely choose destinations unless you’re enrolled in inventory placement services.
Select the right shipping method
Amazon offers several inbound options, and choosing the wrong one can lead to delays or higher freight costs.
Your choices:
SPD (Small Parcel Delivery): individual cartons shipped with parcel carriers; no pallets needed.
LTL (Less Than Truckload): palletized shipments that don’t fill a full truck.
FTL (Full Truckload): full truck shipments going directly to FC docks.
Suitable method depends on volume, carton size and your budget.
Generate your labels and documentation
During the shipment creation flow, Amazon will generate:
Carton labels
Pallet labels (for LTL/FTL)
Carrier labels (if using Amazon Partnered Carrier Program in some regions)
Make sure you download the latest files — sellers sometimes reuse older labels by mistake, which leads to misrouted shipments.
Confirm box-level and pallet-level contents
This is where Box Content Info comes into play. The quantities, SKUs and units per carton must match your physical packing exactly.
If they don’t:
Amazon will manually check the carton,
you’ll be charged extra for the service,
receiving time will increase.
For pallets, ensure your declared pallet count, structure and carton quantities match reality. Warehouses reject pallets that don’t match the declared configuration.
Book your carrier pick-up
Once labels and documents are ready, schedule your handover:
SPD: You can drop off cartons at a carrier point or schedule pickup.
LTL/FTL:
Carriers must book appointments with the Amazon FC.
Booking must be done using Amazon’s inbound portal.
If your carrier misses the appointment or arrives with incomplete paperwork, Amazon may refuse the load.
It’s essential to choose a carrier familiar with Amazon inbound rules — especially in the EU, where appointment slots can fill quickly.
Double-check all dimensions and weights
One of the most common causes of unexpected fees is incorrect dimensional data.
Amazon verifies:
weight of each carton,
dimensions of each carton,
weight and size of pallets.
If the physical shipment doesn’t match what you declared, Amazon will re-measure it and charge you for the discrepancy.
A good rule: measure twice, declare once.
Pro tip: Keep a digital copy of everything
Before sending the shipment, organize all files:
labels,
packing lists,
shipment summary,
ASN documents (if your setup requires them),
carrier booking confirmation.
Having quick access to these documents helps resolve issues faster if Amazon flags something during receiving.
Step 6 - Handover to the carrier
At this stage, your shipment is fully prepared: units sealed, cartons labelled and pallets wrapped. The job isn’t done yet though, as the moment you hand your goods over to the carrier is critical. If the documentation is incomplete, mislabelled or mismatched, your shipment may arrive at Amazon’s dock only to be rejected before anyone touches it. Smooth handover ensures the shipment travels safely and reaches the FC with all required data.
Provide complete and accurate documentation
Your carrier must have everything Amazon expects at the time of pickup. Missing documents cause delays not only in transport but also in booking and delivery.
Depending on the shipping method, documentation may include:
the Amazon shipment ID,
carton or pallet label PDFs,
bill of lading (BOL) for LTL/FTL,
packing list,
commercial invoice (for non-EU shipments),
any customs paperwork for cross-border moves.
A common error: cartons are packed perfectly, but the carrier arrives with the wrong BOL or incomplete shipment IDs — Amazon rejects the load on arrival.
Ensure correct Incoterms for international sellers
If you’re shipping from outside the EU, pay extra attention to Incoterms:
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is typically required if you want your shipment to be accepted without customs delays.
DAP creates risk — Amazon will not act as the importer of record, and shipments may get stuck at customs.
For new sellers entering Europe, incorrect Incoterms are one of the most expensive mistakes.
Verify the carrier knows Amazon’s inbound processes
Not all carriers understand Amazon’s requirements. Working with one that does, reduces the risk of failed appointments or rejections at the dock.
Your carrier should know:
how to book dock appointments via Amazon’s portal (for LTL/FTL),
the difference between SPD drop-off vs. pallet deliveries,
Amazon’s expectations on pallet size, label visibility and secure loading.
If the carrier arrives late or without booking confirmation, Amazon may refuse entry — especially during high-volume periods.
Check that the shipment is properly loaded
Even if your pallets were perfect before pickup, poor loading inside the truck can undo all your work.
Good practices:
Pallets should be placed securely with no risk of tipping.
Heavy pallets at the bottom, light pallets on top (if stacking is allowed).
Keep pallet labels visible — don’t place pallets so close together that labels get blocked.
Avoid loading patterns that cause shifting during transit.
If the pallets arrive leaning, crushed or damaged, Amazon may classify the shipment as unsafe.
Track the shipment until it arrives at the FC
Once the shipment is on its way, keep an eye on:
carrier tracking,
the scheduled delivery appointment,
any carrier notifications of delays,
Amazon receiving updates in Seller Central.
Early visibility helps you react quickly if the carrier reports a problem or Amazon flags something during check-in.
Quick checklist before pickup
Did you give the carrier all required documents?
Does the paperwork match the shipment in Seller Central?
For international shipments: are the Incoterms correct?
Is the carrier familiar with Amazon inbound procedures?
Is the shipment loaded securely, with labels visible?
Do you have tracking and booking confirmations saved?
Final pre-shipment checklist
That's a lot of information and rules to remember, we know. So to sum up everything, we created a handy pre-shipment checklist you can use while packaging products that will be going to the Amazon warehouse. Before you send your shipment to Amazon, run through this checklist to make sure every unit, carton and pallet meets the requirements. A 2–3-minute review here can save days of delays and unexpected fees at the fulfilment centre.
Unit-level checks
All products match their assigned prep category.
Units are fully sealed — no loose parts or open flaps.
Polybags (if used) meet thickness, size and suffocation-warning standards.
FNSKU labels are applied correctly and are scannable on flat surfaces.
Bundles or multipacks have “Sold as set – Do not separate” labels.
Carton-level checks
Cartons are strong, undamaged and appropriate for the weight of the items.
Internal cushioning fills empty spaces and prevents movement.
Each carton stays within Amazon’s weight and dimension limits.
Only one scannable barcode is visible (others are covered).
Amazon carton labels are placed on two adjacent sides, not on the top.
Box Content Info accurately reflects the physical contents.
Pallet-level checks (for LTL/FTL)
You’re using standard 4-way pallets (EUR 1200 × 800 mm in Europe).
No overhang — cartons are aligned with the pallet edges.
Pallet height meets Amazon limits (typically under 1.8 m, including pallet).
Pallets are shrink-wrapped securely from base to top, using consistent tension.
All pallet labels are applied on all four sides, at mid-height, fully visible.
Mixed-SKU pallets are declared correctly in the shipment plan.
Labeling and documentation
All labels (unit, carton, pallet) are printed clearly and not warped, wrinkled or faded.
You downloaded the latest set of labels from Seller Central.
Shipment ID, carton quantities and pallet count match your actual structure.
Packing list, BOL (if applicable) and commercial invoice are prepared.
Digital copies of all files are stored and easy to access.
Carrier handover
Carrier has the correct paperwork and Amazon shipment details.
For LTL/FTL shipments, the dock appointment is booked and confirmed.
The carrier understands Amazon inbound rules.
Pallets or cartons are loaded securely, with labels facing outward.
Tracking is activated, and you’re monitoring the shipment’s status.
How Flex Logistics can help you with meeting the FBA prep requirements?
Preparing products for Amazon FBA can take a lot of time — especially when you’re working with full pallets or larger shipments. Every detail matters. Polybags, suffocation warnings, accurate labelling, carton limits, pallet height, Box Content Info… Amazon doesn’t leave much room for doing things “approximately right”. Even small deviations can lead to delays, extra fees or rejected deliveries.
For many e-commerce brands, this becomes a distraction from what actually drives growth: product development, marketing and customer service. Instead of focusing on sales, teams spend hours checking requirements and fixing issues that Amazon could flag during receiving.
That’s exactly where we come in.
As an official Amazon Service Provider Network (SPN) partner for FBA prep in Europe, we handle the entire preparation process for you. Our team takes care of:
inspecting products and applying correct labelling,
polybagging, bundling and repacking,
preparing cartons and building compliant pallets,
verifying shipments against Amazon’s latest requirements,
delivering your goods directly to Amazon fulfilment centres.
Our goal is simple: make sure your shipments arrive exactly the way Amazon expects — compliant, properly labelled and received without delays or unexpected rework fees. This way, you can focus on growing your store while our team handles everything related to FBA prep and inbound logistics.
If you want to save time, avoid rejected shipments and hand over the entire FBA prep process to specialists, book a call with us - we'll make sure your packages will smoothly enter Amazon warehouse, no matter are you shipping full trucks of goods or individual packages.
Conclusion
Preparing products for Amazon FBA can feel like a lot to manage — and to be honest, it is. There are many rules, and Amazon checks every detail. But once you break the process down into clear steps and follow them consistently, everything becomes much more straightforward. Your shipments move faster, you avoid unexpected fees, and your inventory gets into Amazon’s network without unnecessary stress.
The main idea is simple: do it right the first time, and FBA becomes much easier to work with.
And if you’d rather stay focused on growing your business instead of spending hours on prep work, we’re here to help. As an Amazon SPN partner, we make sure your shipments are prepared exactly the way Amazon expects — every single time.
