How to Prepare Your Products for FBA Shipping in Australia

Knowing how to prepare products for FBA shipping is critical because non-compliant inventory can be rejected, delayed, or incur additional fees at Amazon fulfilment centres. Amazon may charge unplanned service fees per unit when inventory arrives at a fulfilment centre without proper preparation or labelling. They will route that stock through an alternate processing path, which delays inventory availability and directly affects sales cycles.

This guide explains how to prepare products for FBA shipping in Australia across four stages: individual unit preparation, carton requirements, pallet guidelines for larger shipments, and booking inbound freight to the fulfilment centre.

   

        

   

     

Book Inbound FBA Freight to Amazon Fulfilment Centres

     

Couriers & Freight gives Australian Amazon sellers access to road freight, LTL pallet services, and carton freight for inbound shipments to Amazon fulfilment centres.

     Get a Quote Now   

 

How to Prepare Your First Shipment to Amazon: A Practical Summary

Preparing products for FBA shipping in Australia means ensuring every unit is correctly labelled, packaged to Amazon’s standards, and packed into compliant cartons. For larger shipments, inventory must also be palletised correctly and shipped using a compliant freight service. 

Before reviewing each requirement in detail, use this checklist to understand how to prepare products for FBA shipping:

• Apply a scannable barcode to every unit
• Pack each unit according to Amazon's preparation rules
• Ensure cartons meet weight, dimension, and labelling requirements
• Palletise shipments that meet the carton threshold
• Book compliant freight to the assigned fulfilment centre

Once your shipment is ready, book inbound freight through Couriers & Freight.

Individual Unit Preparation

Unit compliance determines whether inventory is accepted at the fulfilment centre. Each unit must meet Amazon’s prep and labelling requirements before it is packed into cartons. 

Barcodes and FNSKU Labelling

Amazon accepts UPC (Universal Product Code), EAN (International Article Number), and FNSKU (Fulfilment Network Stock Keeping Unit) barcodes for FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) inventory. Most private label sellers use the FNSKU because it links each unit to a single seller account and prevents commingling.

Each unit must carry one scannable barcode. Place the label on a flat surface that does not bend or distort the code. Do not place labels on edges, seams, or curved packaging. The barcode must remain fully visible and unobstructed.

If the product packaging includes a manufacturer barcode, cover it completely with an opaque label or tape before applying the FNSKU. Only one barcode must be scannable at the fulfilment centre.

Poly Bagging

Poly bagging applies to products with exposed surfaces, loose components, or openings. This includes textiles, plush items, and products with unsealed packaging.

Non-compliant poly bagging is a common cause of inbound rejections and additional Amazon prep fees, particularly for soft goods and loose items. 

The bag must be at least 1.5 mil thick, which is approximately 38 micrometres. The material must be transparent so the barcode is visible, or the FNSKU must be applied to the outside of the bag.

Seal the bag completely before shipment. The poly bag should not extend excessively beyond the product dimensions, with Amazon generally limiting excess material to around 7.6 cm. 

Any poly bag with an opening of 12.7 cm or more, measured flat, must include a suffocation warning. The warning must be printed on the bag or attached as a label in a visible position.

Bubble Wrap and Fragile Item Packaging

Amazon expects fragile items to be packaged so they can withstand standard drop-test handling during fulfilment processing. The test height is 91.4 cm. Each unit is dropped five times: base, top, longest side, shortest side, and one corner.

Products that commonly require this test include glassware, ceramics, and items in open or perforated packaging.

If a product fails this test, it may be marked unfulfillable or require paid prep services before it can be stored and sold. 

If the unit fails the test, apply bubble wrap until the product remains protected through all five drops. Use enough layers to prevent exposure or movement inside the packaging. All surfaces must be covered.

After wrapping, ensure the barcode remains scannable. Apply the FNSKU to the outside of the packaging if required.

“Sold as Set” Labelling

Products sold as a bundle must be clearly marked to prevent separation during handling.

Apply a label stating “Sold as set” or “Do not separate” on the outer packaging. The label must be visible without opening the unit.

Cover all individual item barcodes inside the set. Only the FNSKU assigned to the bundle must remain scannable.

Amazon FBA Carton Requirements for Australian Sellers

Even if units are compliant, cartons must meet Amazon inbound standards. Incorrect carton specifications can lead to receiving delays, additional handling charges, or compliance issues at the fulfilment centre. 

• Weight limit: No standard carton may exceed 50 lbs (approximately 22.7 kg). Cartons above this limit require a "Team Lift" label displayed on all four sides of the box.
• Maximum dimensions: No single side of the carton may exceed 63.5 cm (25 inches). This applies to length, width, and height individually.
• Approved void fill materials: Amazon accepts air pillows, bubble wrap, full sheets of kraft paper, and foam. Amazon explicitly prohibits loose packing peanuts (polystyrene), crinkle-cut paper, and shredded paper as void fill. These materials are banned because they can contaminate other inventory inside the fulfilment centre.
• Two-label requirement: Every carton must carry an FBA shipping label and a carrier label from your freight provider. Both labels must be placed flat on the carton, fully visible, and free of wrinkles or obstructions that would prevent scanning.

Pallet Guidelines for Larger Shipments

Pallet shipping applies when sending larger quantities, commonly 15 or more cartons, via LTL freight.

Amazon Australia accepts two pallet formats:

• Australian standard pallets: 116.5 cm × 116.5 cm (1165 mm × 1165 mm)
• GMA pallets: 121 cm × 101 cm

The key pallet specifications for Australian FBA shipments are:

• Standard pallet size: 116.5 cm x 116.5 cm (Australian standard)
• Maximum height: 180 cm, including pallet base
• Maximum weight: 680 kg per pallet
• Labelling: Four pallet labels placed on each side

Failure to meet pallet requirements can result in refused delivery appointments or additional handling fees from carriers and fulfilment centres. 

Stack cartons brick-style, place the heaviest cartons on the bottom, and ensure no carton overhangs the edge of the pallet. 

Shipping Your Stock to the Amazon Fulfilment Centre with Couriers & Freight

Once inventory is prepared, sellers must complete the Send to Amazon workflow in Seller Central. Box content information must be submitted before dispatch so Amazon can process inbound shipments correctly.

Couriers & Freight gives Australian Amazon sellers access to domestic road freight, LTL pallet services, and carton freight through one booking platform. Sellers can compare carrier rates and book delivery to Amazon fulfilment centres without setting up individual carrier accounts.

Book your inbound FBA pallet or carton shipment through Couriers & Freight.

   

        

   

     

Book Inbound FBA Freight to Amazon Fulfilment Centres

     

Couriers & Freight gives Australian Amazon sellers access to road freight, LTL pallet services, and carton freight for inbound shipments to Amazon fulfilment centres.

     Get a Quote Now