Inbound Performance Summary

We group similar problems together. For example:

• Safety issues - box related
• Label missing - box related

Defect rate calculation and Coaching level escalations based on Problem Group

Detailed description of any issue identified in your shipments

Weigh your boxes before sending them to a fulfillment center. Boxes must not exceed the standard weight limit of 50 lb, unless they contain one single oversized item that exceeds 50 lb. Boxes containing jewelry or watches must not exceed 40 lb.

For single oversized items, be sure to attach one of the following labels on the top and sides of the box:

• Team Lift: for boxes that exceed 50 lb
• Mechanical Lift: for boxes that exceed 100 lb

For more information, see Shipping and routing requirements

Measure your boxes before sending them to a fulfillment center.

• Boxes containing multiple standard-size units* should not exceed 25 inches on any side.
• UPS allowances for larger box dimensions and weight do not apply to boxes containing multiple standard-size* FBA units.

*Standard-size includes any packaged item that weighs 20 lb or less, has dimensions of 18 inches or less on its longest side, 14 inches or less on its median side, 8 inches or less on its shortest side.

For more information, see:

• Shipping and routing requirements
• Product size tiers

Package batteries and hard drives to prevent shocks, shorts, and sparks.

• Batteries must be packaged so their terminals do not touch during any part of the fulfillment process. Unprotected battery terminals can lead to shorts or sparks.
• Hard drives must be packed in anti-static packaging to prevent shorts or static shock.

For more information, see

• Dangerous goods identification guide
• Packaging batteries
• Requirements for lithium batteries and products that are shipped with lithium batteries

Sharp items must be packaged so sharp edges or points will not become exposed during the fulfillment process.

• Sharp items such as blades must be covered to prevent them from injuring customers or fulfillment center associates.
• Fragile items must either be packaged in a box that has six solid sides or completely secured in bubble wrap.

For more information and how-to videos, see:

• Packaging sharp units
• Packaging glass ceramic breakable and fragile units

One or more of the products in your shipment was an item that can spill. These include:

• liquids
• pellets
• powders
• granules
• loose products

Products that can spill may cause damage during shipping and when stored.

• Liquids: Products containing liquids without a double seal, including viscous products such as honey, must be packaged securely to prevent the product from spilling.

For more information, see Packaging liquids, paste, gels, and creams.

• Dry goods:: All items containing dry goods such as pellets, powders, or granular substances must be able to withstand a 3-foot drop test without the contents of the container leaking or spilling. Products that cannot withstand the drop test must be packaged in poly bags.

For drop-test instructions and additional information, see Packaging pellets, powders, and granular products.

• Loose products: Items contained in loose packaging such as sleeves, pouches, or unsecured bags or boxes may be separated during the fulfillment process. These items must be bagged or secured with a non-adhesive band or removable tape.

For more information, including a how-to video, see Loose Products

For more information, including a how-to video, see the "Loose products" section of Packaging and prep requirements.

Stacking

• Stack boxes on your pallets to ensure that they can be properly unloaded and received.
• Place heavier boxes on the bottom so they do not damage boxes containing lighter products beneath them.
• Stacked pallets should be able to stand on their own without support.

Weights and dimensions

• Single pallets must not be taller than 72 inches, including the height of the pallet, unless it is a single unit.
• Use 40 x 48 inch, four-way access, wooden pallets that are in good condition.
• The contents must not overhang the pallet edge by more than 1 inch.
• Total weight of the pallet must not exceed 1,500 lb.

Packaging and labeling

• All pallets must be wrapped in plastic with a "do not break stretch wrap" or "do not break down" notification to the carrier.
• Each box on the pallet must have an FBA box ID label.
• Each wrapped pallet must have an FBA pallet label on each of the four sides, in the center and near the top.

For more information, including a how-to video on building pallets, see Seller requirements for LTL, FTL, and FCL deliveries

The following packing materials are not allowed:

• All types of packing peanuts
• Crinkle wrap
• Shredded paper

Accepted packing materials include:

• Foam sheets or cushioning
• Air pillows
• Bubble wrap
• Full sheets of paper

For more information, see the "Packing materials" section of Shipping and routing requirements.

• Label your units one at a time to avoid confusion and to ensure all items have been properly labeled.
• Make sure the label title matches the corresponding product.
• Verify that your products have a physical, scannable barcode (UPC, EAN, JAN, ISBN, etc.).
• If an ASIN qualifies for stickerless, commingled inventory, but does not have a physical barcode, you will need to label it.
  • Go to Amazon-Fulfilled Inventory and select the item you want to print a label for. In the Apply to # Selected Item(s): drop-down, select Print Item Labels.

For additional information, see

• FBA product barcode requirements
• Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory
• Label products

Suffocation warnings must be printed in a legible font size for the size of the bag and placed in a prominent location.

Measure the length plus the width of the bag when determining font size:

• 60 inches or more = 24 point
• 40 to 59 inches = 18 point
• 30 to 39 inches = 14 point
• less than 29 inches = 10 point

Example warning

WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cribs, beds, carriages, or play pens. This bag is not a toy.

For more information, see the "Poly-bagged units" section of Packaging and prep requirements.

Ensure that the right label is affixed to the right product.

• Label your products one at a time.
• Make sure the label title matches the corresponding product.

For more information, see:

• FBA product barcode requirements
• Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory
• Label products

Verify that your products have a physical, scannable barcode (UPC, EAN, JAN, ISBN, etc.).

Label placement and size

• Cover any original barcodes. When using an X00 label, cover the entire, original manufacturer barcode with your label. No other barcodes should be visible.
• Use the correct label, and the correct size and type. Item labels must measure 1 x 2 5/8 inches. If you are printing your own barcode labels, be sure to use format Code 128A.
• Make sure there is a 0.25-inch minimum quiet zone before and after the barcode.

Printer requirements

• Use a laser printer for your labels. Inkjet printers are more susceptible to smearing and blurry images.
• Clean your printer. Many labeling errors are caused by dirty printer heads.

For more information, see:

• FBA product barcode requirements
• Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory
• Label products

Make sure that the labels lay flat and do not fold over edges. Please ensure a 0.25" minimum quiet zone before and after the barcode.

• You cover all other visible barcodes with the exception of any serial number barcodes.
• Cover all other visible barcodes except for serial number barcodes that uniquely identify the item (for example, IMEI barcodes on mobile phone packaging).
• You place the barcode on the outside of any prep materials.
• You do not place the barcode on a curve or corner of the package.
• Make sure that each item in a case pack has an Amazon barcode and that any barcodes on the case have been removed.

For more information, see:

• Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory
• Using the manufacturer barcode to track inventory
• Label products

There was an issue with inventory labels.

We performed unplanned prep at the fulfillment center.

• Label your products one at a time.
• Make sure the label title matches the corresponding product.
• Verify that your products have a physical, scannable barcode (UPC, EAN, JAN, ISBN, etc.).
• Place the label on the outside of the packaging and on a flat surface. Do not fold the label over edges or place it on a curve.

For more information, see:

• FBA product barcode requirements
• Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory
• Label products

Poly bags used to protect items must meet the following requirements.

Poly bag requirements

• The thickness of the bag must be at least 1.5 mil (thousandth of an inch).
• The poly bag or shrink wrap must not protrude more than 3 inches past the dimensions of the product.
• Poly bags must be transparent.
• Poly bags must be completely sealed.

Poly bag label requirements

• The polybag must have a barcode (UPC, EAN, JAN, etc.) or X00-label that is scannable through the bag or have an X00- or ASIN-label on the outside of the bag.
• Poly bags with an opening of 5 inches or larger (measured when flat) must have a suffocation warning printed on the bag or attached as a label.

Categories that may require poly bags include:

• Liquids
• Pellets, powders, and granules
• Plush
• Baby products
• Apparel, fabric, and textiles
• Jewelry
• Small products

If you do not find your specific issue above, see Packaging and prep requirements.

If you need packaging and prep materials, see Amazon Preferred Product Prep and Shipping Supplies Store

Adult products must be packed in black, opaque bags. The outside of the bag must have a scannable X00 or ASIN label and a suffocation warning.

These include but are not limited to the following:

• Items that contain pictures of live, nude models
• Packaging that uses obscene or profane messaging
• Items that are lifelike but do not show a live, nude model

For more information, see Packaging adult products

Bubble wrap can protect items from breaking during shipment or storage.

Categories that may require bubble wrap include:

• Liquids
• Sharp items
• Glass, ceramic, breakable, and fragile items

For more information, see:

• Shipping and routing requirements
• Packaging glass ceramic breakable and fragile units

Taping can protect products during storage and shipment. Tape can be used to seal poly bags, bubble wrap, boxes that can open easily and caps of bottles that contain liquid, as well as to secure loose products.

For more information, visit Prepare your products for FBA shipping

Inventory requirements

Amazon considers a best-by or sell-by date the equivalent of an expiration date.

• Topical and consumable products, including nutritional supplements: All are considered as subject to expiration, whether for human or animal consumption.
• Health and beauty products: These are marked to expire 900 days after the date they are processed at the fulfillment center.

Label requirements

• Expiration dates must be displayed in the format MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY.
• If the expiration date is in a different format, you must cover the existing date with a printed label that shows the expiration date in the correct format.
• Products that can expire must have the expiration date printed on both the primary box (in 36-point font or larger) and on the individual or retail display units.
• If the product has a "manufactured date" printed on it, you must cover that date with an expiration date label in the correct format.
• Products with expiration dates cannot be tracked using the manufacturer barcode and must have an Amazon barcode. For more information, see Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory.

Packaging requirements

• All case packs, multi-packs, and display boxes must have the expiration date on the box or bundle, as well as on each individual item inside the box or bundle.
• Products that expire and are contained in packaging that requires additional prep, such as glass jars or bottles, must be prepped to ensure that Amazon associates can see the expiration date during receiving.

For more information, see Expiration-dated FBA inventory

You are required to provide box content information for each box sent to Amazon. This includes:

• Unit quantity of each SKU per box
• Expiration dates (if applicable)
• Box weight and dimensions

Make sure that the number of boxes you send per shipment matches the number of boxes you specified when you created your shipment.

If you decide to send additional items after finalizing a shipment, create a new shipment.

If you are unable to send the products originally planned in your shipment, delete the inaccurate shipment and create a new one.

For more information, see Provide box content information.

• Provide box content information in the Prepare Shipment step of the shipment creation workflow, or by uploading an XML file via Amazon Marketplace Web Service (Amazon MWS).

You must put your box labels on the correct boxes to ensure that the label information identifies the contents of each box.

For additional information, see Set quantity for shipments to Amazon.

You are required to provide accurate box content information for each box sent to Amazon. This includes:

• Unit quantity of each SKU per box
• Expiration dates (if applicable)
• Box weight and dimensions

Box content information is provided at the Prepare Shipment step of the shipment creation workflow.

• If you want to send additional items after finalizing a shipment, create a new shipment.
• If you cannot send the products originally planned in your shipment delete the shipment and create a new one.

For more information, see Provide box content information.

• Before sending your inventory, list all individual items in the shipment on the shipping plan.
• When labeling your items, make sure that the label affixed on the item matches the item.
• Pay extra attention to subtleties such as size and color variations.

For more information, see Set quantity for shipments to Amazon.

Verify the quantities of each unique item in the shipment, and ensure that they match the quantities specified on the shipping plan.

• If you want to send additional items after finalizing a shipment, create a new shipment.
• If you cannot send the products originally planned in your shipment, delete the shipment and create a new one.

For more information, see Set quantity for shipments to Amazon.

The product titles for ASINs listed must have the correct information and formatting.

Your product title did not meet the FBA product title requirements and/or did not match the product label.

• Use 50 characters maximum, generally. Some product categories allow longer titles. See category-specific instructions for more details.
• Capitalize the first letter of each word.
• Do not use all caps.
• Do not use capital letters for and, or, for, the, a, an.
• Do not capitalize prepositions with fewer than five letters (in, on, over, with).
• Use numerals (2 instead of two).
• Spell out measurements (6 inches not 6").
• Do not use symbols, such as ~ ! * $ ?
• Do not use characters such as Æ, ©, ô, etc.

Product information

• Include the size and color in "child" ASINs for variations. See About parent-child relationships for more information.
• Do not include price or promotional messages, such as "sale" or "free ship."
• Do not use subjective commentary, such as "Hot Item" or "Best Seller."
• Your merchant name for brand or manufacturer information should not be included, unless your product is Private Label.

For more information, see FBA product title requirements

• Adhere to the split shipments set up in your account. Different products are shipped to different locations to maximize efficiency.
• Verify that your shipment ID label is in a clear and visible location.
• This problem may occur when your carrier delivers the shipment to the wrong location. Work with your carrier to ensure that your shipment is delivered to the address on the shipping label.
• Some fulfillment centers may share a ZIP code. Be sure to print the correct address on the shipment label if you are identifying the fulfillment center location by the ZIP code.

For more information, see:

• Shipping products to Amazon
• FBA Inventory Placement Service

Some products require prior approval before you can sell them on Amazon. There are also products that FBA does not support.

All Amazon requirements and restrictions also apply to FBA.

• Certain products cannot be listed for sale on Amazon.
• Some products may be eligible for sale on Amazon but cannot be sold through FBA.
• Some products cannot be sold as a matter of compliance with legal or regulatory restrictions (for example, prescription drugs).
• Specific product content is prohibited as a matter of Amazon policy (for example, crime scene photos).

For more information, visit:

• Categories and products requiring approval
• Expiration-dated inventory
• FBA prohibited products
• Restricted products
• FBA product restrictions

Prep your products according to our Packaging and prep requirements.

Using proper packing material (dunnage) when packing your boxes can help ensure your inventory is not damaged in transit.

Acceptable dunnage includes

• Foam sheets or cushioning
• Air pillows
• Bubble wrap
• Full sheets of paper

When sending pallets, stack your boxes with the heaviest boxes on the bottom and the lightest on the top.

For more information, see Seller requirements for LTL, FTL, and FCL deliveries

One or more shipments were not in compliance with FBA’s canceled, misrouted, and incomplete shipments policy.

Once you approve a shipping plan, you must ship your products to Amazon as stated in that plan, including sending the stated quantity of each product to the assigned fulfillment center.

Deleting shipments after you have approved them, misrouting shipments, or sending incomplete shipments may delay the receipt of your inventory and its availability for sale. Amazon also incurs additional transportation costs by rerouting your inventory throughout the fulfillment network to ensure your products are closer to customers.

To ensure that any future multi-destination shipments comply with FBA policy, do not delete shipments after you approve the plan, and make sure that all shipments in your approved plan arrive within 30 days after the first shipment arrives at a fulfillment center.

For more information, see Deleted, misrouted, and incomplete shipments.

If you would like to send your eligible inventory to a single destination, you can sign up for the FBA Inventory Placement Service. Amazon will then receive your units and redistribute them across our fulfillment network as needed. A per-unit service fee applies. Using this service can help you avoid delays and unplanned service fees if you find it hard to manage multi-destination shipments.

Follow the steps below for instructions on how to avoid these problems.

1. In Seller Central, go to the Inventory tab and select Manage FBA Shipments.
2. On the Shipping Queue page, click Track shipment to the right of the shipment.
3. On the Shipment summary page, go to Problem details.