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

The type of problem identified with your inbound shipments

Boxes must not exceed the standard weight limit of 50 lb, unless they contain one single oversized item that exceeds 50 lb.

• Be sure to attach the following labels on the top and sides of the box for single oversized items.
  • Team Lift: for boxes that exceed 50 lb
  • Mechanical Lift: for boxes that exceed 100 lb

Boxes containing jewelry or watches must not exceed 40 lb.

Please also see Shipping and routing requirements

Weigh and measure your boxes before sending them to an Amazon 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" or less on its longest side, 14" or less on its median side, 8" or less on its shortest side.

For additional information, see:

• Shipping and routing requirements
• Product size tiers

Package batteries and hard drives to prevent shock, short outs, or sparking.

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

For additional information, see

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

Sharp items must be packaged so that the sharp or pointed edge will not become exposed during any part of the fulfillment process.

• Sharp items: the blades must be covered to prevent sharp objects from being accidentally left in boxes.
• Fragile items: must be packaged in either a solid six-sided box, or completely secured in bubble wrap so that the items are not exposed in any way.

Ensure that the outer packaging does not have sharp edges or corners.

For additional information and how-to videos, see:

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

One or more products in your shipment contained a product that can spill. This includes:

• liquids
• pellets
• powders
• granulars
• 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 avoid the product from spilling

For more information, see Packaging Products Containing Liquids.

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 polybags.

For drop-test instructions and additional information, see Packaging Pellets, Powders, and Granular products.

Products that are contained in loose packaging, such as sleeves, pouches, or unsecured bags or boxes, may be separated during the fulfillment process.

• Loose Products: Loose products require bagging, or need to be secured with a non-adhesive band or removable tape.

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

Stacking

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

Weights and dimensions

• Single pallets must not be taller than 72.00 in, including the height of the pallet, unless it is a single unit
• Use 40" x 48", 4-way access, wooden pallets that are in good condition.
• The contents must not overhang the pallet edge by more than 1".
• Total weight of the pallet must not exceed 1,500 lb.

Packaging and labelling

• 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 needs its own FBA shipment label. In addition, each pallet needs four labels in the top center of each side of the pallet.
• Once the pallet is wrapped, place a shipment label squarely in the top center on all four sides of the pallet.

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

Also see Shipping and routing requirements.

One or more boxes in your shipment did not include its own FBA shipment label or the FBA shipment label cannot be scanned.

Each box or pallet that you send to a fulfillment center must have a shipment label. Ensure that your shipment ID labels are uncovered, fully visible, and scannable before sending your shipments to Amazon Fulfillment Centers.

Label requirements

• Print the full set of labels. Because each label is unique, do not photocopy, reuse, or modify labels for use on additional boxes
• Each box you include in the shipment must have its own FBA shipment label. In addition, each pallet you send needs four labels, one in the top center of each side. Your shipment ID labels must be uncovered, fully visible, and scannable when your shipments are received at an Amazon Fulfillment Centers.
• These labels must be printed from your Shipping Queue. As an alternative, you can create your own labels, but they must match the Amazon MWS Fulfillment API Developer Guide specifications for creating your own shipping labels.
• If you are shipping multiple case-packs in a primary carton, apply the unique shipping label on the primary carton you are using for shipping products to Amazon fulfillment centers.
• You do not need to apply the unique shipping labels to the individual case packs inside the primary carton.
• If your shipment is in pallets, you must ensure each box on the pallet has its own FBA shipment label. This is in addition to the four labels in the top center of each side of the pallet.

Label dimensions and placement

• Labels must measure 3-1/3" x 4"
• The FBA shipment label and the carrier label (UPS, FedEx or other should both be placed on a flat surface of the box.
• Both labels must remain uncovered and do not place labels on a seam, opening on the box or over edges corners as they will be damaged when the box is opened.

For more information, see Send FBA inventory to Amazon

• If you have chosen to use an Amazon barcode when you created a listing for a product to be fulfilled by Amazon, you must put the correct X00 label on the product. You can print Amazon barcodes from the Label Products page when you create a shipment, or at any time from the Manage Inventory page.
• Make sure that the label title matches the corresponding unit, and label your units one at a time.
• Cover the entire original manufacturer barcode with your X00 label, and make sure that the barcode is visible so that it can be scanned at the fulfilment centre.

For more information, see Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory.

• Make sure that your products have a physical barcode (GCID, UPC, EAN, JAN or ISBN) that is visible so that it can be scanned at the fulfilment centre.
• If an ASIN qualifies for tracking by the manufacturer barcode but doesn't have a physical barcode, you can print labels by going to the Inventory Amazon Fulfills page and selecting Print item labels from the Action on drop-down menu.
• Make sure that the label title matches the corresponding unit, and label your units one at a time.

For more information, see Using the manufacturer barcode to track inventory

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 additional 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 affixing an X00-label, cover the entire, original manufacturer's barcode (UPC, EAN, JAN, ISBN) with your label (no other barcodes should be visible).
• Use the right label and size and type. Item labels must measure 1" x 2-5/8". If you are printing your own barcode labels, be sure to use a format of Code 128A.
• Please ensure a 0.25" 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.

Please also 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.

When you're ready to affix barcodes to your products, make sure:

• You cover all other visible barcodes with the exception of any serial number barcodes.
• 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.
• Each item in a case pack has an Amazon barcode, and any barcodes on the case have been removed.

For more information, see:

• Use an Amazon barcode to track inventory
• Use 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.).

• Ensure proper label placement. Make sure that the labels do not fold over edges or curves.

For more information, see:

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

Polybags used to protect items must meet the following requirements.

Polybag requirements

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

Polybag 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.
• Polybags with a 5" opening or larger (measured when flat) are required to have a suffocation warning, either printed on the bag itself, or attached as a label.

Specific categories that may require polybags include:

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

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

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

Specific categories that may require bubble wrap include:

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

For additional information, see:

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

Taping can protect products during storage and shipment. Applications of taping would include:

• Seal a polybag
• Seal the cap of a liquid
• Seal bubble wrap
• Seal a box that can easily open
• Seal loose products together

Also see Prepare your products for FBA shipping

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

Please verify that the number of boxes you send per shipment matches the number of boxes you specified when creating your shipment.

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

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

For more information, see Box content information for FBA shipments to Amazon

There were item quantities in your shipment that did not match the expected amount based on the box content information you provided.

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

For more information, see Box content information for FBA shipments to Amazon

• Before sending your inventory, you must list all individual items in the shipment on the purchase order.
• When labeling your items, please verify that the label affixed on the item matches the item.
• Pay extra attention to subtleties such as size and color variations.

Also see, Set quantity for shipments to Amazon

Verify the quantities of each unique item in the shipment, and ensure that they match the quantity specified on the purchase order.

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

Also 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 (Æ, ©, ô, etc.)

Product information

• Include the size and color in "child" ASINs for variations. See the Variation Relationships help page 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

Inventory was shipped to a different fulfillment center from the one indicated on the Shipping Plan.

• Adhere to the split shipments set up in your account. Different products are shipped to different locations in order to maximize efficiency.
• Verify that your shipment label is in a clear and visible location.
• This issue 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

There are products that 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 the FBA program.
• 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).

Be sure to review the other sections below for additional product requirements and restrictions:

• Category Approval
• Date- and Temperature-Sensitive Products
• FBA Prohibited Products
• Restricted products
• FBA product restrictions

Some of your items arrived at the fulfillment center in damaged condition.

We could not process them into your sellable inventory.

Prep your products according to the Packaging and prep requirements help page.

Use proper packing material (dunnage) when packing your boxes to ensure that 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 less than truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), and ocean full container load (FCL) deliveries

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

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

Deleting shipments after you've approved them, misrouting shipments, or sending incomplete shipments requires Amazon to dedicate additional processing time and labor, which 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 Canceled, misrouted, and incomplete shipments.

If you'd like to send your eligible inventory to a single destination, you can sign up for the 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 difficult to manage multi-destination shipments.

Follow the steps below to 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