Overview

Amazon requires sellers to apply cap seals to certain liquid products sent to FBA fulfillment centers. These sealing tapes, placed on or around the cap or lid of a container, prevent leakage during storage, shipping, and handling. Understanding when cap seals are required — and how to apply them correctly — is essential for avoiding preparation defect fees and ensuring your inventory moves smoothly through Amazon's supply chain.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Cap seals apply to liquids 4.2 oz (125 mL) or larger — Products below this volume threshold are exempt from the cap seal requirement, regardless of container type.
• Secondary seals can exempt your product — If your liquid product already has an internal secondary seal (such as a foil liner beneath the cap), a cap seal is generally not required, with one important exception for pump bottles.
• Pump bottles without locking mechanisms always need a cap seal — Even if a pump bottle has a secondary seal, it still requires a cap seal unless the pump has a locking mechanism that prevents dispensing.
• Hazmat liquids require bagging, not cap seals — Cap seals are not sufficient protection for dangerous goods. Hazmat liquids must be bagged or shrink-wrapped instead.
• Fragile containers need bubble wrap first — If a liquid product is in a glass or fragile container, bubble wrap is the primary requirement. A cap seal is only additionally required if the bubble wrap alone does not prevent leakage.
• Non-compliance triggers preparation defect fees — Failure to properly prep liquid products can result in fees charged to your seller account.

Which Products Require Cap Seals

A cap seal is required when a product meets all of the following criteria: it contains a liquid, paste, gel, or cream; it is 4.2 oz (125 mL) or larger; it is non-hazmat; it is in a non-fragile container; it lacks a secondary seal; and it has a twist top, screw top, clip-on top, flip top, or hand pump closure. Common product types that fall into this category include bottled lotions, shampoos, cleaning solutions, sauces, and similar consumer goods. Products in press-on lid containers, non-fragile jars with clip tops, cans, or tins are generally exempt from cap seal requirements.