Starting January 1, 2026, Amazon will no longer provide prep or labeling services for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipments in the United States. This includes all inventory going through FBA, whether it is sent directly or routed through services like Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD), Amazon Global Logistics (AGL), Amazon SEND, or the Supply Chain Portal.
This change puts the entire burden of FBA compliance on sellers. Without a trusted prep solution, many brands will face delays, unexpected fees, or rejected inventory. That makes now the time to get ahead of the shift. If you do not have a system for prep and labeling, you need a partner who does. MAI Fulfillment is ready.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon is ending all FBA prep and labeling services in the US starting January 1, 2026
- Sellers must ensure all inventory is prepped and labeled correctly before arriving at fulfillment centers
- In-house prep creates risk, inefficiency, and hidden costs
- A professional FBA prep center removes that friction
- MAI Fulfillment delivers fast, compliant, tech-driven prep built for growth
What Is FBA Prep?
FBA prep refers to the process of getting products ready to meet Amazon’s strict warehousing standards before they are shipped to fulfillment centers. This includes labeling individual units with barcodes, bundling multi-packs, poly bagging loose items, applying warning labels, and ensuring packaging meets dimensional and safety requirements.
FBA prep is not optional. Amazon requires every inbound item to be properly prepped and labeled, or it will be refused, delayed, or reprocessed at a cost. The prep process ensures that inventory moves efficiently through Amazon’s distribution network and reaches customers without issues.
What’s Changing with Amazon FBA Prep in 2026
Amazon has officially announced that beginning January 1, 2026, it will discontinue all prep and labeling services in the US for FBA shipments. This applies to all inventory, regardless of whether it is sent via AWD, AGL, SEND, or any other Amazon-connected service.
This means sellers must now fully manage all item prep and labeling before their products arrive at Amazon fulfillment centers. There will be no fallback. Non-compliant shipments will be flagged, delayed, or denied.
What Amazon Requires Now from Sellers
Sellers are now fully responsible for completing all prep steps before their shipments leave the dock. This shift means that every detail from packaging materials to barcode placement is now entirely the seller’s responsibility. Amazon will no longer handle any part of the process. It requires a clear understanding of FBA compliance to avoid delays, rejections, additional fees, or even denied inventory.
That includes:
- Applying FNSKU or scannable barcodes to each item
- Poly bagging items with exposed surfaces or loose parts
- Bundling sets or multi-packs with clear labeling
- Ensuring safety labels (like suffocation warnings) are included
- Meeting all packaging dimension and weight standards
- Ensuring the package passes the 3-Foot Drop Test
Failure to meet these requirements results in chargebacks, delays, or removal orders. It is no longer a convenience. It is now a requirement.
The Hidden Operational Cost of DIY FBA Prep
Doing FBA prep in-house may seem cost-effective at first, but the reality is different. Time spent labeling, bagging, and bundling is time not spent growing your business. It adds labor costs, clutters your storage, and introduces the risk of non-compliance.
Manual prep can slow down your fulfillment timelines, especially during peak seasons. Inconsistent processes increase error rates. And every mistake costs you money in lost sales or fees. For high-volume sellers, DIY prep just does not scale.
What to Look for in a Reliable FBA Prep Center
With the burden of prep now on you, choosing the right FBA prep partner matters more than ever. The right partner can take the complexity off your plate, ensure your inventory is always compliant, and free up your team to focus on growth instead of labeling and packaging. This is not just about finding a vendor. It is about selecting a logistics ally who understands Amazon’s evolving standards, keeps your operations moving efficiently, and supports your brand’s reputation with every shipment.
Key qualities include:
- Barcode labeling, poly bagging, bundling, kitting, and inspection
- Deep experience with Amazon standards and compliance rules
- Fast turnarounds and same-day shipment capability
- Seamless integration with Amazon Seller Central
- Transparent pricing without surprise fees
- Flexibility to scale with your growth
A reliable FBA prep center ensures every item is prepped right the first time, eliminating delays and protecting your brand reputation.
Why MAI Fulfillment is Built for Amazon FBA Prep Success
MAI Fulfillment delivers FBA prep services that are fast, accurate, and fully compliant. Our in-warehouse support team understands Amazon’s rules inside and out. We handle everything from barcode labeling to kitting, bagging, and bundling.
Our technology integrates directly with Amazon Seller Central, giving you real-time visibility into every step. With transparent flat-rate pricing and scalable workflows, we eliminate complexity and keep your costs predictable. Plus, our facilities are strategically located for nationwide 2-day delivery.
When you work with MAI Fulfillment, your inventory moves faster, stays compliant, and keeps your brand competitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
FBA prep is the process of preparing products to meet Amazon’s strict warehousing standards. It includes labeling, poly bagging, bundling, and applying safety warnings. Without proper prep, Amazon may delay, reject, or reprocess your inventory.
Amazon will stop offering prep and labeling services for all FBA shipments in the United States. Sellers must now handle every step of FBA prep before inventory reaches Amazon.
All Amazon sellers sending inventory to FBA in the US are affected. This includes inventory sent through AWD, AGL, SEND, and the Supply Chain Portal.
Improperly prepped items can be rejected, delayed, or returned. Amazon may charge reprocessing or removal fees, and poor prep can damage your account performance.
Yes. MAI offers full-service FBA prep including barcode labeling, bundling, poly bagging, kitting, and custom packaging. We ensure every shipment is 100 percent compliant and ready for Amazon.
Our facilities offer same-day processing for most FBA prep tasks. With nationwide reach and real-time inventory visibility, we keep your operations moving.
Yes. Our onboarding process is fast and fully supported. We integrate directly with Amazon Seller Central and tailor workflows to match your business.
Get Ahead of the 2026 Amazon Policy Shift
Let MAI Fulfillment handle your Amazon FBA prep with precision and speed.
Reach out today and secure your advantage before the changes take effect.
