Amazon has become a significant source of sales for third-party sellers. Because of this, these companies must deeply understand their internal processes and requirements to leverage their large-reaching e-commerce platform.
One of Amazon’s strict regulations is its barcode and FBA labeling requirements. As Amazon’s supply chain is based on barcodes, organizations need to follow its procedures or risk paying a significant service fee for Amazon to add labels to their fulfillment centers.
In this article, you will learn about the requirements for Amazon FBA labeling and packaging, the types of packages that are allowed, and the main requirements.
What Are the Amazon Packaging Requirements?
When products are sent to Amazon fulfillment centers (before they are shipped to the consumer), there are specific Amazon packages that the amazon seller needs to use. These include:
1. Standard box packaging requirements
When shipping an item in a standard box, the dimensions must be able to fit the item specified correctly and the box must pass a three-foot drop test to ensure it is structurally sound and will not break or explode upon impact. The item must be placed in a poly bag if it fails to pass this test (as seen below).
2. Poly bags
The main purpose of poly bag packaging is to provide protection to the product and keep the outside environment away from the product. There are certain requirements that must be met in order for the poly bag packaging to be successful.
Poly bag packaging requirements:
Poly bag packaging is a popular alternative to traditional packaging. But the poly bags can be dangerous if handled by small children. Because of this, it is required to have a suffocation label imprinted onto the bag. Aside from this, the bags must be transparent, with a thickness of at least 1.5 Millimeters, and the contents inside cannot protrude out of the bag.
3. Blister packs
Blister packs are used for smaller items that need to be clean and sterilized. For example, toothbrushes and pills. They can also be used for other things such as pens or markers.
It’s crucial to choose the right packaging when shipping your item. If Amazon feels that the packaging isn’t appropriate for the product, errors or damage could occur during the shipment process, causing delays and potential cancellation of orders.
What Are the FBA Labelling Requirements?
When working with Amazon, any labeling on the product packages must comply with their regulations, including:
1. Labels must be printed in black and white
Amazon requires that all labels are printed in black and white. A removable adhesive must also be used, and the labels must be non-reflective. As well, the general size of labels must be between 1 by 2 inches, and 2 by 3 inches for more prominent labels. Amazon provides these labels within their support hub for sellers.
2. Spacing on barcode labels
Labels printed and placed on the packages must have white space around the barcode, with an SKU number or ASIN included in the label. The product name and the item’s condition should be next to these details. If organizations want to add their barcodes to the packages, they must also provide a GS1 standard UPC barcode.
3. Correct printer usage
It is essential when printing the Amazon labels that the correct types of printers are used. Laser printers are acceptable and the most common for small to medium enterprises. Amazon’s labels are made to work with thermal printers, too. Inkjet printers should not be used as they can be more challenging to read in certain cases. The longevity of the labels should be scannable for up to 24 months. Printers should be regularly monitored and cleaned to ensure they print to the required quality (300 DPI).
4. Placement of labels
When placing labels on the package, organizations should ensure that the correct barcode is on the items. The other barcodes should not be visible or on top of prep materials. Labels should not be placed on the corners or curves of the package. There needs to be a 0.25-inch gap between the label and the package so that it does not run into any issues during shipment.
Conclusion: What You Need to Know About Amazon’s FBA Labelling Requirements
Amazon can be a fantastic platform for sellers to reach a broad audience for their products. As a result, understanding the labeling regulations and specifications that are being enforced by the company can help streamline your supply chain process and avoid any costly product recalls or quality assurance issues with Amazon as a seller.
As seen from this article, there are a series of FBA labelling requirements and packaging methods that you need to comply with – and Amazon FBA Inspections can be effective to ensure the compliance. Contact us today if you need help with inspections and compliance to Amazon’s regulations.
