Overview

Beginning January 1, 2026, Amazon will stop providing any preparation or labeling services for U.S. inbound FBA shipments. All inventory must arrive at fulfillment centers already labeled, bagged, wrapped, bundled or sealed according to Amazon’s specifications. The shift affects every inbound route—whether sellers use Amazon Warehousing and Distribution, Amazon Global Logistics, or the SEND program—making it a pivotal operational change for every Amazon merchant.

Key Points

• Labeling eliminated — Amazon will no longer affix FNSKU stickers; sellers must apply every barcode before the carrier picks up the pallet.
• Protective packaging removed — Poly‑bag, bubble‑wrap and other safety wraps must be placed on the product by the seller, not by Amazon staff.
• Bundling responsibility shifted — Multi‑item kits such as “starter packs” must be assembled and sealed by the seller prior to shipment.
• All inbound pathways covered — The rule applies to AWD, AGL, SEND and any bulk‑transfer workflow; no alternative Amazon service can bypass it.
• Grace period limited — Shipments created in Seller Central before the 2026 deadline still receive prep, even if they land after January 1, but any plan made on or after that date must be fully prepared.
• Non‑compliance penalties — Unprepared units arriving after the cutoff will be returned at the seller’s expense, disposed of, or rejected without eligibility for Amazon’s standard damage reimbursement.

What's Changing

1. Prep service termination — Amazon’s internal teams stop applying FNSKU labels, poly‑bags, bubble wrap, and bundle assemblies. Example: A cosmetics seller who previously sent unlabeled bottles to Amazon will now need to print and apply each barcode before the carrier picks up the case.
2. Seller‑first labeling — Every unit must carry a scannable Amazon barcode when it reaches the fulfillment center. Example: A toy manufacturer shipping 10,000 units must generate and stick a unique label on each toy prior to palletization.