The Ultimate Guide to Amazon FBA Prep Centers: Everything Sellers Must Know in 2026

Sellers must now fully understand FBA prep centers, as Amazon ended all FBA prep and labeling services in the US on January 1, 2026. Every shipment must arrive shelf-ready, with compliant packaging, labeling, and safety measures already completed.

This shift impacts nearly 2 million sellers. Those who adapt quickly can reduce costs and streamline operations, while others risk rejected shipments, stranded inventory, and lost sales. With inventory commingling ending on March 31, 2026, understanding prep requirements is no longer optional-it's urgent.

What is an Amazon FBA Prep Center?

An Amazon FBA prep center https://amzprep.com/best-amazon-fba-prep-centers/ is a third-party logistics facility specializing in preparing products for shipment to Amazon's fulfillment centers. These centers handle the complicated preparation steps that Amazon's strict rules require.

Inspection: Every shipment is checked for damage, defects, and quantity discrepancies.

Labeling: FNSKU labels, UPCs, expiration dates, and warning labels applied as needed.

Packaging: Poly bagging, bubble wrap, and protective packaging per Amazon's requirements.

Bundling: Multi-item sets secured with "Sold as Set" labels.

Box Prep: Properly sized boxes with shipping labels for Amazon's network.

Why Prep Centers Are Essential

Amazon's prep services ($0.55-$2.55/unit) are gone. Starting January 1, 2026, every shipment must arrive fully prepped - no safety net, no reimbursement for improperly prepared inventory.

March 31, 2026: Amazon ends inventory commingling. Brand owners can skip FNSKU labels if using manufacturer barcodes. Resellers must FNSKU-label every unit - no exceptions.

Non-compliance risks: Fees ($0.20-$2.00/unit), rejected shipments, missed peak selling windows, damaged metrics, and potential account suspension.

Amazon FBA Packaging Requirements

Understanding Amazon packaging guidelines https://amzprep.com/amazon-fba-packaging-requirements-guidelines/ is essential for FBA success.

Poly Bags: 1.5 mil thick minimum, fully transparent, sealed with no more than 3" excess. Bags with 5"+ openings need suffocation warnings.

Shipping Boxes: Six-sided, support 200+ lbs, max 25"×25"×36", under 50 lbs. Must be new with no old labels.

Drop Test: Products must survive a 3-foot drop on all sides and corners.
Product-Specific:

Apparel: Clear poly bags with suffocation warnings

Fragile: Two layers of bubble wrap minimum

Liquids: Sealed with secondary poly bag protection

Children's items (under 3): Extra surface protection

Sets: "Sold as Set" labels, secured packaging

Adult products: Opaque black poly bags

FNSKU Labels: Black ink on white labels (1"×25⁄8" preferred), placed on flat surfaces. Cover any manufacturer barcodes.

March 31 Deadline: After this date, resellers must use FNSKU labels on every unit - even if manufacturer barcodes are present. Brand owners can continue using manufacturer barcodes.

Top 5 Amazon FBA Prep Centers in USA

1. AMZ Prep - Global leader with 50+ fulfillment centers across North America, Europe, and Australia. Pricing starts at $0.40/unit with 24-48 hour turnaround. Features include 99.9% accurate real-time inventory tracking, automated shipment planning, and multi-channel fulfillment for Shopify, eBay, and Walmart. Best for sellers wanting technology-driven, globally scalable solutions.

2. Red Stag Fulfillment - Specializes in oversized, heavy, and valuable inventory. Offers enterprise-level features with guarantees for order speed and inventory accuracy. Best for established brands with large or high-value items needing both FBA prep and D2C fulfillment.

3. MyFBAPrep - One of the largest networks of prep and fulfillment centers. Founded by Amazon sellers, offering temperature-controlled logistics and subscription box fulfillment. Best for multi-channel businesses with diverse fulfillment needs.

4. eFulfillment Service - Decades of experience with Inc. 5000 ranking and A+ BBB rating. Located in a tax-free state with transparent pricing and personalized service. Best for small to medium-sized sellers valuing reliability over lowest prices.

5. Smart Prep Center - Delaware-based offering tax savings and comprehensive FBA prep. Strategic East Coast location near major fulfillment centers and ports. Best for online arbitrage sellers and importers targeting East Coast fulfillment centers.

Choosing the Right Prep Center

Tax: Shipping to a tax-free state (OR, MT, DE, NH, AK) can save thousands annually.

Location: Near fulfillment centers cuts costs. Near ports helps importers.

Pricing: Base fees: $0.40-$1.50/unit. Watch for hidden fees like receiving charges and minimums.

Turnaround: 24-48 hours standard, 3-5 days during peak.

Accuracy: Top centers keep error rates under 0.1% - well below Amazon's 1.9% threshold.

Preparing for March 2026 Commingling Changes

Brand Representatives: Switch to manufacturer barcodes to save labeling time and costs. Update prep center instructions immediately.

Resellers: Every unit requires FNSKU labels-update prep procedures now. Expect higher per-unit costs. Ensure compliance before March 31.

Conclusion:

Amazon no longer offers prep services - every FBA seller must handle their own preparation, labeling, and compliance.

With the March 31, 2026 commingling deadline approaching, now's the time to act. Trusted prep centers like AMZ Prep, Red Stag, MyFBAPrep, and others can handle this - often better than Amazon did.

Evaluate whether outsourcing makes sense, and ensure any partner you use understands the upcoming changes.

The deadlines are set. Sellers who adapt now will streamline operations and come out ahead.

Amzprep
​Website: https://amzprep.com/
​Email: info@amzprep.com
​Full postal address: 1 Summerlea Road, Brampton, ON, Canada, Ontario
​Press contact: +1 647-370-7416

AMZ Prep is a trusted ecommerce fulfillment and logistics company serving online sellers and businesses across global markets. Operating under Parcel Commerce, we provide end-to-end ecommerce shipping solutions designed to meet the demands of today's fast-moving online retail landscape.

We specialize in last-mile delivery and 1-2 day delivery services, ensuring every order reaches the customer's doorstep on time and in perfect condition.

With a strong carrier network and a commitment to operational reliability, we help ecommerce brands grow their shipping without the complexity. Our mission is to make fulfillment faster, smarter, and more efficient for businesses of every size.

This release was published on openPR.