For Amazon sellers, understanding FBA warehouse requirements is crucial. Even minor oversights can lead to rejected shipments, resulting in significant financial losses and operational delays. This guide outlines key Amazon FBA storage regulations to help sellers avoid common mistakes and ensure smooth inventory processing.
Weight and Dimensions: Critical Thresholds
Amazon FBA warehouses enforce strict weight and size limitations. Individual boxes must not exceed 45 kilograms. Heavier shipments require palletization. The platform mandates special labeling for overweight packages: US facilities require visible "Heavy" labels for items over 22.5 kg, while European warehouses impose this requirement at 15 kg.
Regarding dimensions, packaged boxes cannot exceed 63.5 centimeters on any side. Amazon prohibits the use of strapping, tape bundling, or other external reinforcement materials—regulations designed to maintain warehouse safety and operational efficiency.
Packaging Specifications: The Devil in the Details
Beyond basic measurements, packaging quality significantly impacts acceptance rates. Boxed products must demonstrate sufficient load-bearing capacity to withstand transportation and storage pressures. Multi-component items require complete packaging with clear identification—disassembled units face automatic rejection.
Products using poly bags must feature transparent, fully sealed packaging to facilitate inspection and prevent spillage. Notably, Amazon prohibits all marketing materials on packaging, as fulfillment centers exclusively handle storage and distribution, not promotional activities.
Prohibited Items: Understanding Restrictions
Amazon maintains a comprehensive list of banned FBA inventory. Sellers should carefully review these restrictions during product selection. Common prohibited articles include:
- Lanterns and flammable decorations
- Automotive tires
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gift cards and stored-value instruments
- Unauthorized or counterfeit merchandise
- Defective or damaged goods
- Products exceeding size/weight limits
- Improperly packaged items
- Intellectual property infringements
Discovery of prohibited inventory may trigger immediate rejection and potential account penalties.
Compliance Consequences
Violating FBA policies carries serious repercussions. Initial violations typically result in shipment rejections, forcing sellers to absorb return shipping and repackaging costs. Repeated infractions may prompt account restrictions or permanent selling privileges suspension. Strict adherence to Amazon's fulfillment guidelines remains fundamental to sustainable marketplace operations.
While Amazon FBA warehouse requirements appear straightforward, successful implementation demands meticulous attention to detail. By thoroughly understanding and applying these regulations, sellers can optimize their fulfillment processes and avoid costly operational disruptions.