One of the worst-case scenarios for Amazon FBA sellers is when they’ve shipped their products, paid the shipping fees, only to have them flagged as ”problematic inventory” upon arrival at the Amazon Fulfillment Center, requiring corrective action or even resulting in the entire shipment being returned. In fact, a significant portion of the reasons for rejection stem from issues that occurred before shipment.inspection of goods(Pre-Shipment Inspection, PSI) stage. This article lists the 8 most important items to check before shipping, each of which aligns with Amazon’s official FBA packaging and pre-processing guidelines.

Note: The following thresholds (weight, dimensions, bag opening size, etc.) are all taken from Amazon’s publicly available FBA Product Pre-processing and Packaging Requirements. Amazon updates these rules from time to time; before shipping bulk orders, please refer to the latest version of the “FBA Product Pre-processing Requirements” in Seller Central.

1. Is the FNSKU label unique and scannable?

Each item shipped to FBA must be labeled with a unique FNSKU label (beginning with X00) that can be scanned by a barcode scanner. Additionally, the product’s original barcode (such as the manufacturer’s UPC or EAN) must be covered with an opaque sticker to prevent the warehouse staff from accidentally scanning the original code during the scanning process, which could result in the item being sent to the wrong warehouse.

Scan the FNSKU using AQL sampling to confirm that it is clear, flat, unobstructed, and readable; verify that the original barcode has been covered.

If the barcode cannot be scanned, it may result in delays in receiving the shipment, misrouting to the wrong warehouse, or the imposition of a manual processing fee.

2. Are the country-of-origin labels complete?

U.S. Customs requires imported goods to be labeled with their country of origin, and Amazon also requires that products listed for sale display this information. For goods shipped from China, the label typically reads ”Made in China.”

Check whether the product itself (such as the care label, hang tag, and on-product printing) and the outer box both bear a clear indication of the country of origin.

If the country of origin is not indicated, the shipment may be rejected during customs clearance or upon receipt by FBA.

3. Do the outer box’s weight and dimensions meet the maximum limits?

Amazon has a clear limit on the size of standard-sized cardboard boxes:

Weigh the samples, measure the boxes, and verify whether the weight limit has been reached and whether the corresponding overweight labels have been affixed.

Overweight or oversized boxes may be refused or subject to additional handling or processing fees.

4. Are the transparent polybags (plastic bags) up to standard?

Products packaged in clear plastic bags must bear a suffocation warning if the bag opening is 5 inches or larger; the bags must be clear and sealable, and the FNSKU must be scannable through the bag.

Check the bag opening size, the suffocation warning text, the seal, and whether the barcode is scannable through the bag.

The absence of a choking hazard warning is a common reason for rejection of clothing and accessories.

5. Is the expiration date/shelf life labeled in accordance with regulations?

Products with expiration dates, such as food, cosmetics, and health supplements, must have the expiration date printed directly on the product (rather than on a separate label). The format is typically MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY, and the remaining shelf life upon arrival at the warehouse must meet Amazon’s requirements.

Verify that the expiration date is clearly printed and formatted correctly, and confirm that the remaining validity period is within an acceptable range.

Items without an expiration date or nearing their expiration date will be refused.

6. Are the items in the set properly packaged?

Products sold as ”sets”—that is, as indivisible combinations—must be sealed in transparent plastic bags or shrink wrap to ensure that the individual items do not come apart; items within a set should not have separate scannable barcodes to prevent them from being stocked as individual items.

Verify that the kit is properly packaged, all components are included, and nothing is missing.

If sets are broken up, the items will be sold separately, causing confusion with inventory and orders.

7. Do the SKUs and quantities inside the box match?

Try to pack only items of the same SKU in each box; if you need to mix items in a box, you must provide accurate “Box Content” information. Amazon requires sellers to enter the corresponding SKU and quantity for each box when shipping.

Conduct a spot check to verify that the SKUs and quantities on the packing list match those of the actual items.

Discrepancies between the packing list and the actual shipment can lead to delivery issues and inventory discrepancies; in severe cases, the entire shipment may be returned.

8. Does the appearance of the outer box and the sealing method meet the standards?

Cardboard boxes must be in good condition, free of damage, moisture, and odors; use standard packing tape to seal the boxes—do not use string, strapping, or metal staples. For LTL (less-than-truckload) or palletized shipments, the packaging must also comply with Amazon’s pallet requirements (e.g., standard GMA 48×40-inch pallets, secured with stretch wrap, and not exceeding height limits).

Check whether the condition of the boxes, the sealing method, and the stacking and securing of palletized goods meet the requirements.

Poor box condition or improper sealing may delay shelving or even result in the shipment being rejected.

Move the 8 items to the pre-shipment inspection

By incorporating these 8 checkpoints into the Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) process and verifying them one by one, you can identify the vast majority of potential issues that could lead to FBA rejection before the goods leave the factory. For sellers with large shipment volumes or multiple SKUs, we recommend making the above checklist a standard item for on-site verification by inspectors and retaining the inspection report as proof of shipment.