Overview

Amazon enforces specific packaging standards for pellets, powders, and granular products shipped to FBA warehouses. These requirements exist to prevent spills during handling and transit, protect warehouse workers and neighboring inventory, and ensure products arrive intact to customers. Sellers who deal in loose or granular goods need to understand these prep standards to avoid costly repackaging fees or rejected shipments.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Packaging must be e-commerce ready — All granular products need to be sealed in packaging sturdy enough to survive the shipping process without any risk of spilling or leaking.
• Additional prep may be required — Whether you need extra packaging depends on the durability of your product's original container. Flimsy or easily opened packaging will need supplemental protection.
• Amazon can refuse or repackage at your expense — If products arrive at an FBA facility with inadequate or non-compliant packaging, Amazon reserves the right to refuse the shipment, return it, or repackage it and charge you for the service.
• Future prep requirements can be added — If Amazon sees repeated damage or damage-related returns on your product, they may impose additional mandatory prep requirements going forward.
• You are responsible for testing — Amazon does not test your packaging for you. Sellers must verify their own packaging meets the required standards before shipping.

Products That Fall Under These Requirements

A wide range of everyday products are classified as pellets, powders, or granular goods under Amazon's prep guidelines. Examples include baking powder, spices, ground coffee, animal feed, cleaning products and detergent, cosmetics and makeup, flour or grain, and sand. This list is not exhaustive — any product that could spill as loose particles or fine material when packaging is compromised falls under these rules. If you are unsure whether your product qualifies, it is safer to assume it does and package accordingly.

Packaging Solutions by Product Type

The right packaging solution depends on your specific product. Items like pet food, fertilizers, and powders that come in bags or containers that are not structurally rigid often require poly bags as an additional outer layer of protection. Products with lids that can pop open easily should incorporate a secondary seal or cap seal to prevent accidental spilling during transit. Fragile containers such as glass jars, as well as crumbly food products, typically need an outer box or bubble wrap to provide impact protection and ensure the item reaches the customer undamaged. Sellers should evaluate their current packaging honestly and upgrade where needed rather than risk noncompliance.