Overview

Properly preparing orders before delivery is a critical step for Amazon sellers participating in fulfillment programs. Poor packaging can lead to damaged goods, customer complaints, and potential reimbursement issues. Understanding Amazon's packaging guidelines — especially for heavy and oversized items — helps sellers protect their products and maintain a positive customer experience.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Inspect before packing — Always verify that your product is undamaged and includes all manufacturer-provided parts before sealing any package.
• Heavy packages need special attention — Orders weighing over 50 lbs require upgraded packaging materials, trained staff, and specific handling procedures.
• Corrugate quality matters — The grade and condition of your cardboard boxes directly impacts whether your product arrives intact.
• No marketing materials allowed — Amazon prohibits including unauthorized promotional inserts, price tags, pamphlets, or non-Amazon stickers in shipments.
• Weight determines handling method — Amazon classifies packages into one-person, two-person, and equipment-assisted categories based on weight thresholds.

Packaging Requirements and Best Practices

Sellers should pay close attention to several factors when preparing items for shipment. The corrugated board grade is especially important for heavy items, which are prone to corner and edge damage during transit. Amazon recommends using strong, well-constructed boxes with seams that are stitched or stapled rather than glued. It is worth noting that the weight limits printed on a box maker's certificate are designed for palletized freight, not for small parcel carrier environments, so sellers should not rely solely on those ratings. For added protection, corner boards should be used whenever straps or bands are applied, and packages should display prominent warnings such as large heavy object labels, stack height icons, and directional arrows.

Sealing and Moisture Protection

Proper sealing is essential for oversized and heavy shipments. Amazon recommends using 3-inch wide pressure-sensitive tape or 3-inch wide water-activated craft tape with filaments for corrugate cartons. Adding "L-strip closure" and "H-seal" cross strips on the ends of the box provides additional reinforcement. Sellers should also be mindful of humidity, as wet or damp boxes lose their structural integrity quickly. Boxes that have been dented, previously opened, or exposed to moisture should be replaced with new ones at the manufacturer's specified strength. When filling void space inside a box, dense cushioning material is strongly preferred over polystyrene peanuts or crumpled paper, which crush easily and shift under heavy loads. Corrugated board inserts or engineered foam enclosures offer far better protection and help reinforce the outer box.