Important Update! Amazon Ends FBA Prep Service
Reading time: Approx. 6 minutes
Amazon has officially discontinued its Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) Prep Service, meaning sellers can no longer rely on Amazon to prepare or label inventory before it enters the fulfilment network.
From 1 July 2026, Amazon will no longer provide FBA prep and labelling services for shipments to its European stores. Sellers are responsible for ensuring inventory is fully prepared before arrival at Amazon fulfilment centres.
This marks a significant operational change for Amazon sellers of all sizes. Businesses that previously used Amazon’s optional preparation service must now ensure products are fully compliant before inventory is shipped to an Amazon fulfilment centre.
While Amazon’s product preparation requirements remain exactly the same, the responsibility for completing those tasks now sits entirely with the seller or their chosen Amazon prep centre.
What Has Changed?
Amazon has officially withdrawn its FBA Prep Service, including the preparation and labelling services that were previously available for eligible FBA inventory.
Going forward, all inventory must arrive at Amazon fulfilment centres fully prepared, packaged and labelled in accordance with Amazon’s FBA requirements before it is received.
Amazon will no longer carry out optional preparation services on behalf of sellers before inventory is made available for sale.
What Does Amazon FBA Preparation Include?
Depending on the product category, Amazon preparation requirements may include:
- FNSKU barcode labelling
- Polybagging
- Bubble wrapping
- Bundling and kitting
- Opaque packaging where required
- Expiry date labelling
- Fragile item protection
- Taping or sealing products
Importantly, these preparation standards have not changed. Only the responsibility for completing them has changed.
Who Is Affected?
This update affects any Amazon seller who previously relied on Amazon’s FBA Prep Service.
It is particularly relevant for:
- Private label brands
- Wholesale sellers
- Online arbitrage businesses
- Retail arbitrage sellers
- Importers buying directly from manufacturers
- International sellers shipping inventory into the UK
- Businesses using Amazon Global Logistics
What Happens If Inventory Is Not Properly Prepared?
If inventory arrives at an Amazon fulfilment centre without meeting the required preparation standards, sellers may experience a range of operational issues.
Depending on the product and the nature of the issue, Amazon may:
- Delay receiving your inventory
- Reject part or all of the shipment
- Place inventory into an unavailable status
- Require additional compliance actions
- Create unnecessary delays before products become available for sale
Incorrect preparation can also increase storage time, delay sales and negatively affect inventory planning, particularly during busy trading periods.
Why This Matters for Amazon Sellers
Although Amazon has removed its own Prep Service, its preparation requirements remain fully in place. Sellers are now responsible for ensuring every product complies before shipment.
As a result, many businesses are choosing to work with independent Amazon prep centres that specialise in preparing inventory before it is sent into Amazon’s fulfilment network.
A professional prep centre can:
- Receive supplier deliveries
- Inspect products for damage or packaging issues
- Apply FNSKU and barcode labels
- Polybag and bubble wrap products
- Create bundles and multipacks
- Prepare cartons to Amazon standards
- Create Amazon shipment plans
- Dispatch compliant inventory to Amazon fulfilment centres
Outsourcing these tasks allows sellers to reduce operational workload, improve compliance and minimise the risk of receiving delays.
How FixPrep Can Help
At FixPrep, we provide professional Amazon FBA prep services for UK and international sellers, ensuring inventory is prepared in accordance with Amazon’s latest published requirements.
Our services include:
- FNSKU labelling
- Polybagging and bubble wrapping
- Bundling and kitting
- Product inspection
- Carton preparation
- Shipment creation
- Inventory storage
- Removal order processing
Every shipment is carefully prepared before dispatch to help reduce the risk of delays, compliance issues and unnecessary Amazon receiving problems.
Key Takeaways
Amazon’s decision to discontinue the FBA Prep Service does not change any of its existing product preparation requirements. Instead, it transfers full responsibility for product preparation from Amazon to the seller.
Businesses should ensure all inventory is correctly labelled, packaged and prepared before shipment. Working with a trusted Amazon prep centre can help reduce receiving delays, improve compliance and keep products moving efficiently through Amazon’s fulfilment network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Amazon changed its FBA preparation requirements?
No. Amazon’s preparation requirements remain the same. Only Amazon’s optional Prep Service has been discontinued.
Can I still send inventory directly to Amazon?
Yes. However, your inventory must already comply with Amazon’s FBA preparation requirements before it arrives at the fulfilment centre.
Should I use an Amazon prep centre?
Many sellers now choose independent prep centres to receive supplier deliveries, inspect inventory, apply labels, prepare shipments and ensure products meet Amazon’s latest FBA requirements before dispatch.
Final Thoughts
Amazon continues to simplify its fulfilment network by placing greater responsibility on sellers for inventory preparation. As businesses grow, having a reliable preparation process becomes increasingly important for maintaining smooth operations and avoiding unnecessary delays.
Whether you are launching your first product or managing thousands of units each month, working with an experienced Amazon prep centre can help ensure your inventory reaches Amazon fully compliant, professionally prepared and ready for sale.
Sources: https://sellercentral.amazon.co.uk/help/hub/reference/G201023020