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What Labels Are Needed for an FBA Shipment?

A guide explaining the different labels required for Amazon FBA shipments, including FNSKU product labels, shipping box labels, and additional prep or warning labels Amazon may require for certain inventory types.

When sending inventory to Amazon FBA, there are usually 2 main types of labels required:


🏷️ 1. FNSKU Labels (Product Labels)

These labels are attached directly to each item/product.

Amazon uses them to:

  • identify the product

  • identify the seller

  • track inventory ownership.


📦 When Are FNSKU Labels Needed?

FNSKU labels are required when:

  • products do not have manufacturer barcodes enabled

  • you want Amazon to track your inventory separately

  • selling used books/media

  • crosslisting inventory

  • using stickered inventory workflows.


📍 Where Do You Put Them?

Attach the FNSKU label:

  • directly on the product

  • covering any scannable barcode if needed.


📦 2. FBA Shipping / Box Labels

These labels are attached to the outside of each shipment box.

Amazon uses them to:

  • identify the shipment

  • track each box

  • route inventory to the correct fulfillment center.


📍 Where Do You Put Them?

Attach the shipping label:

  • on the outside of the box

  • flat and visible

  • without covering the barcode with tape/glare.


⚠️ Additional Labels That May Be Required

Depending on the product, Amazon may also require:


⚖️ Heavy Package Labels

Required when a box exceeds:

50 lbs

Examples:

  • “Team Lift”

  • “Heavy Package”


⚠️ Suffocation Warning Labels

Required for:

  • polybagged products

Amazon requires warning text on certain bag sizes.


🫧 Fragile / Bubble Wrap Labels

May be required for:

  • glass items

  • fragile inventory

  • easily damaged products.


🥫 Expiration Date Labels

Required for:

  • grocery

  • topical products

  • supplements

  • consumables.


🔋 Lithium Battery Labels

Required for:

  • battery-containing products

  • electronics

  • rechargeable devices.


🖨️ How Sellers Print These Labels

Labels are commonly printed using:

  • thermal printers

  • Dymo printers

  • Rollo printers

  • Zebra printers

  • or standard printers.

Many sellers print labels using:

  • Seller Central

  • or listing softwares like AccelerList.


✅ Summary

The two main labels needed for an FBA shipment are:

  1. FNSKU labels → attached to products

  2. FBA shipping labels → attached to shipment boxes

Additional warning or prep labels may also be required depending on the product type and Amazon prep requirements.

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