FBA Prep fulfillment FAQ

An FBA prep center is a facility that receives your inventory, prepares each unit to Amazon's FBA packaging and labeling requirements, and ships it into Amazon fulfillment centers. Typical work includes FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bubble wrapping, bundling, set labeling and carton or pallet preparation. Prep Center Co. extends the same work to Walmart WFS, Target Plus and TikTok Shop.

Amazon announced it would discontinue its in-house prep and item labeling services for the U.S. marketplace starting January 1, 2026, which means sellers are expected to send inventory already prepped and labeled. That shift is a major reason brands now use an independent prep center. Always confirm the current policy in Seller Central, since program details change.

You can use the manufacturer barcode only if your listing is eligible and you accept that your units may be commingled with identical units from other sellers. FNSKU labels keep your inventory tracked to your seller account, which protects you from counterfeit or damaged units from other sellers being shipped to your customers. Most brands and all resellers of easily counterfeited items should use FNSKU labels.

Amazon requires polybags to be transparent, at least 1.5 mil thick, fully sealed, and scannable through the bag, and bags with an opening of 5 inches or more must carry a printed suffocation warning. The bag must not extend far beyond the product's dimensions, and the barcode must be on the outside or clearly readable through it. Prep Center Co. stocks compliant bags in common sizes.

Yes. Prep Center Co. prepares inventory for Walmart Fulfillment Services, Target Plus seller-fulfilled orders and TikTok Shop, in addition to Amazon FBA. Each program has different barcode, packaging, carton and appointment rules, so we keep separate work instructions per channel and can split a single inbound container across several marketplaces.

Carton forwarding is receiving master cartons, usually from an overseas factory or freight forwarder, and sending them on to marketplace fulfillment centers with little or no unit-level work. It often includes inspection, carton relabeling, box content verification and splitting a container across multiple destinations. It is the fastest path from port to sellable inventory.

Turnaround depends on volume, prep complexity and how clean the inbound is, so we commit to a timeline in your quote rather than a blanket promise. Simple labeling moves faster than bundling or kitting, and accurate shipment plans plus advance notice of inbound arrivals shorten the cycle. Peak season and Prime event deadlines require earlier booking.

FBA prep pricing is usually per unit for each prep step, plus per-carton or per-pallet fees for receiving and outbound, and storage only if inventory stays beyond the prep window. Your cost depends on which steps each SKU needs. We provide transparent, line-item pricing and a custom quote within 24 hours.

Yes. We apply expiration date labels in the format the marketplace requires, keep lots separated, and route short-dated stock back to you instead of shipping it to be rejected. Fragile items such as glass, ceramics and cosmetics get bubble wrap, boxing or both, with drop-test-minded carton packing.

Products containing lithium batteries, aerosols or flammable liquids must clear the marketplace's dangerous goods review before shipping, and must be packed and marked under DOT rules. Hazmat-capable handling is available in select markets. Tell us about these SKUs when you request a quote so we can route them correctly.