2026-06-09 · 7 min
Amazon FBA Inbound Shipping Guide 2026: Prep, Label, and Ship Correctly
Getting FBA inbound right prevents costly errors and delays. Here is a complete guide to prep requirements, labeling, shipping methods, and inventory placement options.
FBA Inbound Basics
Fulfillment by Amazon requires you to ship inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers before you can sell. The inbound process involves creating a shipment plan in Seller Central, preparing and labeling products according to Amazon's packaging requirements, and shipping to one or more fulfillment centers Amazon designates. Getting inbound right saves money and prevents costly mistakes.
Prep Requirements
Amazon has strict prep requirements by product type. Items sold as sets must be bagged or bundled. Products with expiration dates require label placement. Fragile items need bubble wrap. Liquids need double-sealed packaging. Failure to prep correctly leads to unplanned prep fees (Amazon preps at cost) or returns. Review the FBA Product Preparation Requirements page in Seller Central before your first shipment.
Choosing a Shipping Method
Small Parcel Delivery (UPS, FedEx, USPS) works for boxes under 150 lbs each. Less Than Truckload (LTL) is used for palletized shipments. Using Amazon Partnered Carrier rates gives discounted UPS shipping rates directly from Seller Central for most US shipments. For international inbound (from China or overseas manufacturers), freight forwarders handle customs, documentation, and domestic delivery.
Inventory Placement
Amazon's Inventory Placement Service (fee-based) sends all units to a single fulfillment center instead of splitting the shipment across multiple centers. For high-velocity products, paying the placement fee is often worth it to simplify logistics and reduce time-to-available-inventory.