Overview

Amazon enforces strict packaging requirements for all products sent to its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) warehouses. Sellers who fail to meet these standards risk having their inventory refused, returned, or disposed of at their expense — with no reimbursement. Understanding and following these rules is essential to keeping your FBA operations running smoothly and avoiding unexpected costs.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Non-compliant inventory can be refused or destroyed — Amazon reserves the right to reject or dispose of products that arrive at fulfillment centers with packaging that does not meet its standards, and sellers bear the full cost.
• Poly bagging is required for certain products — Items that could be damaged during storage or transit, or that have loose parts, must be sealed in transparent poly bags with a suffocation warning.
• Expiration dates must be visible — Any product with a shelf life or expiration date must display that date clearly on the outside of the packaging, without requiring the package to be opened.
• "Sold as set" labeling is mandatory for bundles — Multi-unit products sold as a single listing must be clearly labeled with "Sold as set" or "Ready to ship" so fulfillment center workers do not separate them.
• Overboxing rules apply — Products must not arrive in excessive or oversized packaging. Amazon has specific dimension and weight guidelines that sellers must follow.
• Liquid and fragile items have extra requirements — Products containing liquids must be double-sealed to prevent leaks, and fragile items need adequate cushioning and protection.

Packaging Categories and Standards

Amazon divides its packaging requirements into several categories based on product type. Products sold in their original manufacturer packaging that is suitable for shipping without additional protection are considered "ships in own container" and generally need only an Amazon barcode label. However, many products require additional prep before they can be accepted. Poly bagging is one of the most common requirements: items such as textiles, plush goods, and anything with loose components must be sealed in a clear poly bag that is at least 1.5 mil thick. The bag must include a suffocation warning printed in a legible font size, a requirement driven by consumer safety regulations. Bags larger than five inches at the opening must carry this warning without exception.