Amazon FBA Will No Longer offer fba prep services for the US

Blue30
3 days ago
4 min read

What Did Amazon Announce? What Are Amazon FBA Prep Requirements? What’s at Stake? FBA Prep Is This Only for the US? What Should Sellers Do Now? Need Help with FBA Prep?

Amazon FBA Prep Services Ending in the US by 2026

Amazon just dropped a major update that’s sending shock waves through the seller community:

Starting January 1, 2026, Amazon FBA will no longer provide prep services or item labelling for US sellers.

If you rely on Amazon to label your products, polybag your items, or rescue last-minute shipments with missing prep—this announcement is a big one. For many small to mid-sized sellers, this decision could completely upend their current fulfilment workflows.

Let’s dive into what’s happening, what it means for your business, and how you can stay ahead with reliable FBA prep services and third-party prep centres.

What Did Amazon Announce?

On July 28th, Amazon sent the following message to sellers:

"Starting January 1, 2026, we’ll no longer offer prep and item labelling services for Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) shipments in the US store..."

This change affects all inventory routed to US FBA centers, whether you’re using:

Direct FBA shipments
Amazon Warehousing & Distribution (AWD)
Amazon SEND
Amazon Global Logistics (AGL)
The Supply Chain Portal

Amazon says they’ve seen a major improvement in how sellers prep and package their products—and want to streamline operations for faster delivery times. That’s why they’re stepping away from offering any internal FBA prep support.

What Are Amazon FBA Prep Requirements?

If you're unfamiliar or relying heavily on Amazon's support, now’s the time to get serious about Amazon FBA product prep.

Every unit shipped to Amazon must:

Be properly prepped (bubble-wrapped, polybagged, bundled, etc.)
Have a scannable barcode (FNSKU, UPC, EAN, or Transparency code)
Be labelled correctly and arrive in packaging that meets Amazon's guidelines

If these steps are skipped? Your inventory may:

Be rejected at the fulfilment centre
Get marked as stranded stock
Require costly removal orders
Be ineligible for reimbursement if damaged or lost View Amazon FBA prep requirements.

What’s at Stake? FBA Prep

Amazon FBA prep used to be a built-in safety net especially for sellers without warehouses. But now?

If your goods aren’t 100% prepped before arriving at an FBA Fulfilment centre, you’re on your own.

This change is especially challenging for:

Brands relying on manufacturer-direct shipping
Larger retailers that require high volume labelling
New sellers unaware of Amazon FBA compliance rules

You’ll need a solid FBA prep solution, whether in-house, through your manufacturer, or via a third-party Amazon prep centre.

Is This Only for the US?

Yes, for now.

But if you’ve been selling on Amazon for a while, you already know:What starts in the US often rolls out globally.

If you're a seller in the UK, EU, or other international Amazon marketplaces, now is the time to future-proof your fulfilment operations.

What Should Sellers Do Now?

1. Build an FBA Prep Strategy

Decide if you’ll prep in-house, use your manufacturer, or outsource.
Ensure your products meet FBA labelling and packaging requirements before they ship.

2. Use Trusted FBA Prep Services

Sellers are already turning to FBA prep centres to fill the gap. In the UK, for example, Blue30 is a long-standing Amazon recommended FBA prep centre.

View our list of the top 10 Amazon FBA prep providers.

A good FBA prep provider will handle:

FNSKU barcode labelling
Polybagging, bubble wrap, and safety prep
Bundling and kitting
Custom packaging and inspection
As well as many more eCommerce services

3. Lock in Capacity Early

With millions of sellers impacted, demand for reliable Amazon FBA prep services is going to spike fast. Securing space now means you’ll avoid the last-minute scramble and higher fees later.

Manufacturer vs. Third-Party FBA Prep

Can your manufacturer handle Amazon FBA prep directly? Maybe.

But often, manufacturers:

Don’t understand Amazon’s strict packaging rules
Can’t apply FNSKU or Transparency labels properly
Struggle with SKU-level quality control and inspection

That’s why most growing brands partner with experienced Amazon FBA prep centres to manage compliance and streamline inbound shipments.

Final Thoughts

Amazon’s decision to end FBA prep services in the US is a game-changer for e-commerce logistics. If you're serious about scaling on Amazon, now’s the time to set up your own FBA prep workflow—either in-house or with a trusted Amazon prep center.

Whether you're based in the US, UK, or EU, the smart move is to stay ahead of the curve and lock in reliable prep support now.

Need Help with FBA Prep?

Looking for vetted Amazon FBA prep partners in the UK?

Blue30 is a trusted Amazon-approved FBA prep service provider based in the UK, offering fast, reliable, and fully compliant prep solutions for sellers worldwide.

As part of the Amazon Service Provider Network (SPN), Blue30 specialises in FNSKU labelling, polybagging, bundling, kitting, expiry date labelling, and more all in line with Amazon’s strict FBA requirements.

Our team ensures your inventory is prepped correctly to avoid costly delays, stranded stock, or removal orders. With fast turnaround times (often 24–48 hours), optional storage, and seamless direct-to-Amazon shipping, Blue30 supports both domestic and international sellers looking to streamline their supply chain.

Whether you're scaling up, launching in the UK, or adjusting to Amazon’s policy changes like the 2026 removal of FBA prep services in the US .Blue30 is here for you for your UK operations should this change come in to effect in the UK. Book a free call with a member of our team now.