Unplanned prep fees used to be what Amazon charged when units arrived without the prep they needed and Amazon fixed them for you. Since January 1, 2026, Amazon no longer offers prep and item labeling services for US FBA shipments, so prep mistakes are now a bigger risk: shipments can be delayed or have problems at receiving, and units that arrive without proper prep lose reimbursement eligibility if damaged or lost (Packaging Insights).
Quick answer: Get prep right before the shipment leaves: an FNSKU on every unit, correct bags and bundles, dates on dated products and boxes within the limits. Then plan your inbound placement option so you know the fee up front.
Common Reasons for Unplanned Costs
- Missing or wrong FNSKU labels. Units that cannot be scanned cause receiving problems.
- Visible manufacturer barcodes. Units may be scanned as the wrong item.
- Missing poly bags or wrong bags. See the poly bag requirements.
- Multipacks without set labels. Sets can be split or miscounted.
- Oversize or overweight boxes. Boxes over Amazon’s limits can be refused or charged extra.
- Wrong box contents. Quantities in Seller Central that do not match what is in the box.
How to Avoid Unplanned Prep Fees on Amazon
- Check each product’s prep guidance in Send to Amazon before you buy.
- Label and bag every unit before it is boxed.
- Count units against your shipment plan.
- Keep case packs to one SKU and one quantity.
- Take photos of a few prepped units and boxes before sealing, in case you need to raise a claim.
Amazon FBA Prep Fees You Can Still Plan For
With Amazon’s own prep services gone, your prep costs come from whoever does the work: you, a prep center or your supplier. Compare the options in prep center vs supplier prep.
Amazon Inbound Placement Fee for Wholesale
When you create a shipment, Amazon offers placement options. Sending everything to fewer locations can cost an inbound placement fee per unit, while Amazon-optimized splits across more locations can lower or remove it. Wholesale sellers with many identical cases often qualify for the cheaper options. Include the fee when you calculate Amazon FBA fees.
For the full checklist, read the Amazon FBA prep requirements.
Ship Prepped From the Start
We are a supplier that ships directly to Amazon FBA. We apply FNSKU labels, poly-bag where needed and ship cases to your shipment, so units arrive ready to receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Amazon still charge unplanned prep service fees?
Amazon stopped offering prep and labeling services in the US from January 1, 2026, so it no longer preps units for you. Shipments that arrive unprepared risk delays and problems at receiving instead.
Is the inbound placement fee a prep fee?
No. It is a separate fee based on how your shipment is split across Amazon’s warehouses.
How do I check prep rules for a product?
Seller Central shows prep guidance for each product when you add it to a shipment.