Expiration-dated products fail at receiving for reasons that have nothing to do with the product: unreadable dates, mixed lots in one carton or too little remaining shelf life. Prep Center Co. separates lots, applies dates in the format the marketplace requires and holds back stock that would be rejected.
Expiration dates the marketplace can read
Amazon requires expiration-dated products to show the date on each unit and on the outside of each master carton, in a supported format such as MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY. A date embossed on a crimp or printed in a format the receiving team cannot interpret can cause units to be rejected or set aside.
When the manufacturer date does not meet the requirement, we apply an expiration label in the correct format. Every carton we build holds a single expiration date, and carton markings are applied large and clearly enough to be read at the dock. Walmart WFS and TikTok Shop have their own shelf-life and labeling rules, and we follow each program's current published requirements at release.
Shelf-life checks before you ship
Marketplaces set minimum remaining shelf life for expiration-dated products at receiving, and they remove or dispose of units as they near expiration. For Amazon, the commonly cited thresholds are at least 90 days of remaining shelf life at check-in and removal as units approach 50 days, but category rules vary, so always confirm in Seller Central.
We record the expiration date of every lot at receiving and release oldest-dated stock first. Lots that will not clear the destination's shelf-life threshold are flagged before they ship, so you can route them to a channel with a longer selling window, a wholesale buyer or a liquidation partner instead of paying to ship units that will be destroyed.
Packaging consumables to survive transit
Liquids, powders, gels and glass jars need prep that keeps them intact through parcel and pallet transit. Liquids get a sealed secondary bag or a leak-resistant closure, glass is bubble-wrapped or boxed, and powders in tubs with loose lids are taped or bagged so they do not spill if a seal fails.
Some consumables also carry regulatory requirements beyond the marketplace: supplement labeling under FDA rules, cosmetics under MoCRA, or Prop 65 warnings for products sold into California. Those obligations belong to the brand, and labels must come from you. We apply warning labels you supply and flag obvious gaps, but we do not certify regulatory compliance. Aerosols and flammable products also require marketplace dangerous goods review before they ship.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put more than one expiration date in a carton?
We do not recommend it and build cartons with a single expiration date. Mixed-date cartons are a common cause of receiving problems, so lots are separated at receiving and packed apart.
What format should expiration dates be in for Amazon?
Amazon accepts formats such as MM-DD-YYYY and MM-YYYY on each unit and on the master carton. If your manufacturer's date does not match an accepted format, we apply a compliant expiration label.
Do you store supplements or food in climate-controlled space?
Climate-controlled storage options are available in select markets. Tell us your product's storage requirements in your quote request so we route it to an appropriate location.