Key Date: January 1, 2026

Thats when Amazon officially ends all FBA prep and labeling services.
Heres how it breaks down:

• Until Dec 31, 2025: Amazons prep services (like labeling, bubble wrapping, etc.) will continue as usual.

   

• After Jan 1, 2026: Any new FBA shipment must arrive fully prepped and labeled.

   

• Grace period: Shipments created before Jan 1 will still be serviced, even if they arrive in early 2026.
  

What This Means for Sellers

If youve been sending in unlabeled or unprepped products and relying on Amazon to handle it, that option is gone. From Jan 1 onward:

• All units must arrive ready to go barcoded, bagged, bundled, or wrapped as needed.
• No prep = no reimbursement: Amazon wont cover lost or damaged items if they werent properly prepped beforehand.
  

Applies to All Amazon Logistics Programs

This change isnt just for standard FBA shipments. It also includes:

• Amazon Warehousing & Distribution (AWD)
• Amazon Global Logistics (AGL)
• Amazon SEND
• The Supply Chain Portal

No Amazon service will include prep anymore. Period.

Why It Matters

Sellers who depended on Amazons prep, especially those without a warehouse, are in a tough spot. As one seller put it:

This will crush us. We dont have the facilities to do prep work.

If you havent yet built prep into your operations, now is the time. Tasks like FNSKU labeling, bubble-wrapping, poly-bagging, and kitting will all be your responsibility moving forward.

Alternatives to Amazons FBA Prep Services

Amazon may be phasing out prep services, but sellers still have solid options.

1. Handle Prep In-House

Some sellers may decide to take prep into their own hands. That means:

• Inspecting, packaging, and labeling each unit according to Amazons requirements
• Stocking supplies like poly bags, suffocation warning labels, bubble wrap, and barcode printers
• Training staff on strict FBA prep rules, such as:
• Where to place FNSKU labels
• How to cover existing barcodes
• Packaging sets or fragile items properly

Pros:

• Full control over your process
• Faster turnaround if operations are streamlined

Cons:

• Requires space, equipment, and labor
• High complexity for small sellers or solo operators
• Mistakes can mean costly delays or penalties

Bottom line: if you have the resources and want control, this is doable, but its not for everyone.

2. Outsource to a 3PL (Prep Center)

For many sellers, using a professional third-party FBA prep service just makes more sense.

What they do:

• Receive your inventory

   

• Handle all Amazon-required prep tasks (labeling, bagging, bundling, etc.)

   

• Forward shipments directly to Amazon fulfillment centers

   

Benefits:

• Avoid the hassle of learning Amazons evolving prep rules

   

• Reduce risk of non-compliance fees or delays

   

• Focus on scaling instead of packing boxes

   

Yes, it comes with a service fee, but avoiding mistakes that can cost you sales or FBA issues? Often worth it.

Many sellers already use a prep center as part of their workflow, and Amazon is actively encouraging this route.

Use Amazons Service Provider Network (SPN)

Amazon now features a dedicated FBA Prep Providers category within its Service Provider Network (SPN). These are vetted services that meet criteria for:

• Prep accuracy and compliance

   

• Turnaround time and capacity

   

• Pricing and geographic coverage

   

If youre unsure where to start, the SPN portal is a great place to begin. Youll find providers offering:

• Labeling and poly-bagging

   

• Quality checks

   

• Kitting and bundling

   

• Storage and freight forwarding options

3. Reduce Prep with SIPP

Amazon also recommends looking into its Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP) program. If your products original packaging can survive the shipping process, you may be eligible.

Benefits of SIPP:

• Less prep needed (no extra boxes or bags)

   

• Potential FBA fee discounts

   

• Faster processing

   

Just note: not all products qualify. Its helpful, but not a complete solution.

How lite prepcenter Can Help with FBA Prep

With Amazon stepping away from FBA prep in 2026, many sellers are scrambling for reliable solutions. Thats where lite prepcenter (LPC) comes in.

A trusted FBA prep partner for over 20 years, LPC is a 3PL with deep expertise in Amazon compliance. They offer a complete, hands-off prep solution to help sellers stay compliant, avoid penalties, and keep inventory moving.

Why Sellers Choose lite prepcenter

Full-Service FBA Prep Done Right

LPC handles everything Amazon used to do, including:

• FNSKU barcode labeling

   

• Poly-bagging (with suffocation warnings)

   

• Bubble-wrapping fragile items

   

• Taping, kitting, bundling, and more

   

Their team knows Amazons prep requirements inside and out, so your inventory passes inspection the first time, no non-compliance fees, no shipment delays.

Cost Savings vs. Amazons Old Prep Fees

Many sellers are surprised to find LPC is cheaper than Amazons former prep service. Here’s how:

• No Amazon per-item prep fees (labeling, bagging, etc.)

• No sales tax on services in Michigan (where LPC is located)

• No hidden fees, surcharges, or contracts

• Transparent per-unit pricing

Some sellers report saving up to $1,000 per pallet just by avoiding Amazon penalties.

200,000 sq. ft. Warehouse = High Volume + Flexibility

• LPC can store bulk inventory and send batches to Amazon as needed

• Ideal if youre dealing with Amazon restock limits

• Fast turnarounds keep your listings in stock and your IPI score healthy

Bottom line: they keep your supply chain moving so you dont run out of inventory or rack up downtime fees.

Personalized Support That Feels Like a Partnership

• Every seller gets a dedicated account manager

• Youre not stuck with chatbots or long support tickets

   

• Their team is known for responsive, real-world help when you need it

   

Sellers often say LPC feels like an extension of your team and mean it.

Seller-Friendly Terms (No Minimums or Lock-Ins)

• No minimum order volume

• No long-term contracts

• No surprise storage fees

• Pay only for what you need, when you need it

Perfect if you’re scaling up or just starting out.

Multi-Channel Ready & Scalable

LPC doesnt just do FBA prepthey can grow with you.

• Supports Amazon FBM, Walmart, eBay, Shopify, and more

• Integrations across platforms = less tech headache

• Handles thousands of SKUs for sellers of all sizes

• 99%+ satisfaction rate across domestic & international clients

If you expand beyond Amazon, theyll already be one step ahead.

Bottom Line

Amazon is stepping back. lite prepcenter is stepping up.

With LPC, your inventory gets prepped right the first time. Youll stay compliant, avoid unnecessary fees, and free yourself from the complexity of FBA rules.

Less hassle. More control. Real savings.

Preparing for the Post-Amazon-Prep Era

Amazon is stepping away from FBA prepbut you dont have to be caught off guard. Use this transition as an opportunity to streamline your operations and improve your bottom line.

1. Get Familiar with FBA Prep Requirements

If you havent reviewed Amazons latest FBA prep and labeling rules, nows the time.

• Study how Amazon expects items to be packaged, labeled, and protected (poly bags, bubble wrap, barcodes, etc.)

   

• Know the standards, even if you’re outsourcing, so you can oversee quality or speak the same language with a 3PL

   

• Amazon provides prep documentation in Seller Central, read it thoroughly

2. Audit Your Current Workflow

Ask yourself:

• What was Amazon doing for you?
  (FNSKU labels? Fragile-item prep? Bundling?)

• What are you equipped to handle in-house?

• Just labeling? Grab a thermal printer and barcode sheets

• Full-service prep? You may need staff, space, and training

• This audit helps you identify the gapsand whether DIY or outsourcing makes more sense

3. Plan Ahead for Year-End 2025

The cutoff is January 1, 2026so be strategic about your Q4 shipments.

• Create and send final prep-eligible shipments before Dec 31, 2025

• This gives you one last use of Amazons prep servicesbut only as a short-term buffer

Come January, your new prep system needs to be ready and running

4. Decide: DIY vs. 3PL Prep Service

Run the numbers:

• In-house prep costs: labor, tools, space, materials

• 3PL prep costs: service fees, but with less hands-on work and fewer compliance risks

Dont ignore your time value. Many sellers realize it’s smarter to outsource logistics and focus on selling and scaling.

If you go DIY, be sure to:

• Get a reliable label printer

• Buy compliant packing supplies

• Run a test shipment to verify your process meets Amazon standards

5. Research Trusted 3PL Partners Now

If youre outsourcing, dont wait until December.

• Check Amazons Service Provider Network for vetted FBA Prep providers

• Look for:

• Clear pricing

• Positive seller reviews

• Prep services that fit your business (storage, freight, kitting, special projects)

lite prepcenter (LPC) is a standout exampleexperienced, well-reviewed, and already working with Amazon sellers like you.

Reach out for a quote now so youre not scrambling later.

6. Optimize Your Supply Chain for the Long Run

Without Amazon handling prep, coordination becomes more important.

• Talk to your suppliers or manufacturers about doing prep at the source

• Can they apply FNSKU labels?

• Can they package items to FBA standards?

• Account for extra transit time if youre using a 3PL

• Supplier ? Prep Center ? Amazon

• With a fast partner like LPC, this is efficientbut it still needs to be baked into your lead times

Final Thought

This shift might feel disruptivebut its also a chance to build a better system.

Many sellers find that using a specialized prep partner:

• Speeds up check-in at Amazon

• Reduces surprise fees

• Improves inventory visibility and control

What starts as a challenge can quickly become a competitive advantageif you plan for it now.