Amazon FBA Prep Services China

The Ultimate Guide to Amazon FBA Prep

Excerpt: This guide to Amazon FBA prep covers the process of setting up your account, following Amazon’s packaging requirements, and packaging bundles. Amazon FBA simplifies the process for sellers but it is critical to adhere to their requirements to get the most out of this service.

People all over the world use Amazon as a platform to sell their products. Amazon offers the FBA (fulfilled by Amazon) option, which provides a simple and efficient solution for the delivery and returns of all products. Read this guide to learn what Amazon FBA is, how it benefits sellers, how it works, and how to Amazon FBA prep your items.

What Is Amazon FBA?

Simply put, Amazon FBA is a service where a company lists a product, item, or bundle of items for sale and sends the products to Amazon. Amazon stores the products and then ships them and handles most aspects of customer service.

The Benefit of Using Amazon FBA

One of the primary benefits of using Amazon’s FBA service is that sellers do not need to handle shipping, refunds, or returns. Amazon has thoroughly developed its distribution process and customers have come to rely on quick, efficient delivery of their purchases. Sellers and buyers alike have peace of mind knowing that orders will be shipped out right away and the return process will be simple. This translates into savings of time and money for sellers.

How Fulfillment by Amazon Works

It is quite easy to take advantage of Amazon’s FBA services. However, it is critical to use Amazon FBA prep to get set up and ensure that Amazon will fulfill future orders.

1. Set up FBA

Sign into your Amazon seller account and click the link to add FBA to your account. This will ensure that Amazon will fulfill your future listings. If you don’t already have a seller account, set one up beforehand.

If you already have listings on Amazon, it is simple to convert them to FBA. From your seller account, go to the Manage Inventory page. Highlight those listings that you wish to convert to FBA, click on the Actions button, and select Convert to Amazon Fulfillment.

2. Create Your Product Listings

This is where you will add your products to the Amazon catalog either individually, in bulk, or by integrating your product management software with Amazon’s API.

3. Prepare Your Products

You will prepare and package your items so that they are safe and secure. This Amazon FBA prep is the final packaging process for your items.

Be sure to secure loose items and wrap fragile items for safe travel. Use packaging tape so that boxes stay sealed during transit. To simplify Amazon FBA prep, look at Amazon’s preferred prep and shipping supplies on the website.

4. Ship Your Products to Amazon

Next, you will create your shipping label. Amazon offers online selling tools as well as discounts with their partner carriers. You want to track your shipments as they travel to the Amazon fulfillment center.

Another option is to partner with a company that specializes in shipments to Amazon. These companies simplify and streamline the shipping process for you to eliminate the hassle and concerns regarding your shipments.

5. Customers Order Your Products and Amazon Picks, Packs, and Ships Them

After a customer purchases your product, Amazon fills the order quickly and efficiently. Amazon Prime customers always receive free shipping but all customers can qualify for free shipping. This benefits you because customers choose products listed on Amazon specifically to receive these valuable services.

Once Amazon ships your products, they send tracking information to the customer. You can focus on maintaining your inventory and selling products and Amazon will handle the details of shipping and returns.

6. Amazon Provides Customer Support on Products You Sell

Amazon has a world-renowned customer service team that will handle all aspects of customer requests, refunds, and returns on your products. Their customer service center is always open, which makes customers happy.

There are incredible benefits to having Amazon’s reputation and customer service behind your product, not the least of which is increased customer confidence. Consumers prefer to shop with a trusted, well-known name and Amazon is exactly that.

7. Make the Most of FREE One-Day Shipping

Amazon Prime customers receive free one-day shipping on all orders. You can ensure that your products are eligible by making sure that your inventory is stocked regularly. Amazon provides sellers with a restock report to help them maintain target inventory levels.

Amazon FBA Packaging Requirements

Amazon increases the odds of your product arriving safely and securely in your customers’ hands through their requirements and guidelines for packaging. Proper Amazon FBA prep ensures fewer instances of damage or loss. You can follow these guidelines yourself or you can engage a service that specializes in shipping your products to Amazon.

These requirements are crucial because Amazon does reserve the right to refuse, return, or repackage any product that arrives at a fulfillment center with inadequate or non-compliant packaging at your expense.

1. General Packaging Rules

• FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit): The FNSKU must be unique and must correspond to one unique product. Products with different colors or sizes must each contain a unique FNSKU. For example, if you are selling two of the same shirt in different colors, each shirt will have a separate FNSKU.

• Tracking: Each unit must have an exterior barcode that can be scanned for easy tracking or corresponding numbers that can be read by a person. It must be easy to access. Make sure to cover existing barcodes with opaque tape or a black felt tip marker.

2. Packaging Rules by Category

Packaging requirements may vary for specific items in any category. The following are Amazon FBA prep rules for specific categories.

• Loose Products

  • You must pack each unit of a product in one secure package. This includes books in multiple-volume sets.
  • Make sure that you label products that are to be sold as a set. The label should say “This is a set” or “Do not separate.”
  • Amazon does not assemble products.
  • Units that are packaged in loose sleeves or pouches must be bagged or secured with a non-adhesive band or removable tape.
  • Footwear of any material must be packaged such that no material is exposed. It can be placed in shoeboxes or poly bags. Poly bags must have a label with a suffocation warning.

• Boxed Units

  • Boxes must be six-sided, completely sealed, and difficult to open.
  • Boxes must not collapse when medium pressure is applied.
  • Boxed units that have perforated sides or openings must pass a three-foot drop test. You will drop the box one time on each side and once on a corner. If the box fails any portion of the test, you must place it in a poly bag with a suffocation warning.

• Poly Bag Units

You need to make sure that poly bags meet these Amazon requirements:

• Poly bags that have a five-inch or larger opening must have a suffocation warning, which can be printed on the bag or attached on a clearly visible label.
• The poly bag must be transparent.
• The poly bag must have a barcode or XOO- label that is scannable through the bag or an XOO- or ASIN label on the bag.

• Expiration Dates

  • It is mandatory that products that expire have the expiration date printed on the master carton in 36-point or larger font and on the individual units.
  • Expiration dates must be displayed in the format MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY.
  • If the expiration date is incorrectly formatted, you can affix a label with the date in the correct format over it.
  • The expiration date on products that are contained in packaging, such as glass jars or bottles, must have the expiration date accessible for Amazon associates during the receiving process.
  • For more information about products with expiration dates, see Expiration-dated FBA inventory.

3. Specific Poly Bag Requirements

There are specific requirements for poly bags that are used to protect products:

• The suffocation warning for poly bags with a five-inch or greater opening must be visible and meet the following guidelines for minimum font size (if not, Amazon may re-bag at seller’s expense).
  • 60 inches or more: 24-point font
  • 40 to 59 inches: 18-point font
  • 30 to 39 inches: 14-point font
  • 29 or less inches: 10-point font
• The bag must be at least 1.5 mil (thousandth of an inch) thick.
• The bags must be completely sealed.
• The poly bag may not protrude more than three inches beyond the dimensions of the product.
• The poly bag must be transparent and have a barcode or XOO- label that is scannable through the bag or an XOO- or ASIN label on the bag

4. Where Can You Buy Amazon Packaging Supplies?

You need to make sure that any packaging supplies will adhere to Amazon’s strict requirements. If you do not use correct Amazon FBA prep, Amazon may refuse, return, or repackage your products at your expense.

Fortunately, LeelineSourcing offers Amazon-preferred packaging supplies in China. Leelinesourcing can help Amazon Sellers purchase their boxes, tape, poly bags, bubble packs, and any other necessary items to make Amazon FBA prep simple.

Once you have packaged your products for Amazon FBA, shipping companies such as FedEx, USPS, or UPS offer free shipping supplies but you will need to check with them to find out the rates for shipping your products to the Amazon fulfillment centers.

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5. FBA Packaging Checklist

   

Although it is crucial to learn and follow the requirements for Amazon FBA prep and shipping your products to their fulfillment center, it always helps to go over this final checklist before you send them.

1. Each item should be wrapped individually.
2. Use materials to cushion your items inside the box.
3. Boxes must be six-sided, sturdy, and difficult to open.
4. Seal your boxes with strong shipping tape.
5. Cover any old barcodes or shipping labels.
6. The shipping label should be visible with a clear return address.
7. Boxes should remain separate.
8. Include suffocation warning on poly bags.

How to Package Bundles for FBA

Selling products in a bundle is a great way to create a unique product for your customers. Amazon has Bundle Guidelines that clarify what you can or cannot bundle. Following Amazon’s policies and guidelines will ensure that your products are easy to discover for Amazon customers.

There is a distinction between a multi-item set and a bundle. A multi-item set is a product that has one ASIN/UPC whereas a bundle is several products that each has its own ASIN/UPC. You cannot sell a set as a bundle.

You can pair together three unique products such as a yoga mat, yoga pants, and an exercise ball. However, yoga sets containing a top and yoga pants would be considered one product. Be sure to read the Amazon bundling requirements before you select your bundle.

Here are a few ideas for bundles that you can create:

1. Convenience Bundles will include products that go together, such as a camera, a flash, and a memory card.
2. Brand Bundles will include different products with the same brand name. For example, a group of Pokemon items can be offered as a bundle.
3. Themed Bundles will have a common theme. For example, you could have a “new kitten bundle,” which would include items needed by someone who has a new kitten.
4. Gift Bundles might include a group of gifts for special occasions. There might be a teacher gift bundle containing various items for a teacher and so on.
5. Hobby Bundle: This might include items for a particular hobby, such as an art supply bundle or a scrapbooking bundle.

Bundles are a wonderful way to make products uniquely yours and you may increase sales by offering a bundled product that isn’t available elsewhere. Make sure that you come up with a creative name that makes your bundle easy to find and package your bundle in a basket, tote bag, or gift box. Choose the category of your featured item or theme. You can only choose one so make sure it will attract the highest number of customers.

Conclusion

Amazon FBA is a great service. Amazon’s trained professionals handle the shipping and customer service while you focus on inventory and products. It is important that you follow Amazon’s guidelines and requirements in your Amazon FBA prep to get the most out of this service.