Overview

Amazon enforces specific packaging and preparation standards for softlines and baby products sent to FBA fulfillment centers. These rules exist to protect textile-based items from dust and humidity damage during storage and handling, and to meet child safety requirements for products designed for young children. Sellers who fail to comply risk having inventory refused, returned, or repackaged at their expense.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Full enclosure is mandatory — Every softline and baby product must be completely sealed in packaging that shields it from dust and humidity. No exposed surfaces are permitted.
• Child safety rules apply to products for kids under 4 — Items designed for children younger than four years old, including both soft and hard toys, must not have any exposed surface area larger than one inch by one inch.
• Poly bags or shrink wrap are required for unsealed items — Products that lack a sealed, six-sided package or have openings larger than one inch by one inch must be shrink-wrapped or placed in a sealed poly bag with a suffocation warning.
• Non-compliance carries financial penalties — Amazon reserves the right to refuse, return, or repackage non-compliant inventory and will charge the seller for any corrective prep work performed at the fulfillment center.
• No softlines packaging testing is available — Unlike some other product categories, Amazon does not offer a packaging testing program for softlines, so sellers must ensure compliance on their own before shipping.

What Counts as a Softline or Baby Product

Amazon's softlines category covers a broad range of textile-based merchandise. This includes clothing, footwear, plush toys, stuffed animals, blankets, pillows, bedding, bibs, burp cloths, teething rings, and similar items. The category is not limited to this list, so sellers should apply the general principle: if the product is fabric-based, plush, or designed for babies and young children, it almost certainly falls under these preparation requirements. When in doubt, treat the item as a softline and package it accordingly to avoid costly reprocessing fees.