Overview

Amazon has introduced a voluntary incentive that lowers FBA fulfillment fees for sellers who arrange inbound shipments according to new packing recommendations. The program, launched this month, shows the exact discount before a shipment is sent, letting sellers decide shipment‑by‑shipment whether the effort is worthwhile.

Key Points

• Optional packing recommendation — A new step appears in the Send to Amazon workflow that suggests how to group SKUs for small‑parcel boxes.
• Pack groups generated by Amazon — The system automatically creates “pack groups,” which are optimized SKU clusters designed to move faster through fulfillment centers.
• Up‑front discount visibility — Sellers can view the precise fee reduction (e.g., $0.04 per unit) before confirming the recommended packing method.
• Automatic credit within 30 days — After Amazon’s receiving team validates the packing, the discount is applied to future orders without any extra action from the seller.
• Reporting glitch acknowledged — A current technical issue hides the incentive report and savings tracker, but eligible shipments still receive the discount.

How the Program Works

1. Create an inbound shipment — When a seller starts a new shipment in the Send to Amazon tool, a “Recommended packing method” option appears in step 1b.

   • Example: A seller preparing 300 units of a kitchen gadget and 200 units of a related accessory sees a prompt suggesting a combined pack group.

2. Amazon generates pack groups — The platform analyzes the SKUs in the shipment and proposes specific groupings that fit efficiently into standard small‑parcel boxes.

   • Example: The system groups the gadget (SKU 12345) with its accessory (SKU 67890) into a 12‑item box layout that maximizes space utilization.

3. Seller reviews the discount — The interface displays the exact fee reduction that would apply if the seller follows the suggested grouping.