FBA Prep Centre UK Pricing 2025
- Blue30
- Apr 2
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
If you sell on Amazon FBA, you’ll already know that preparing your products isn’t just about sticking on a label and hoping for the best. Amazon has strict requirements, and if your stock doesn’t meet them, you risk delays, rejected shipments, or even account issues. This is where FBA prep and a professional Amazon Prep Centre UK come into play.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know – from why prep is vital to how pricing works, what services to expect, and what to check before choosing a prep partner. We’ll go deep into real-world costs and help you avoid common pitfalls that eat into your margins.
What is FBA Prep and Why is it Important?
FBA prep is the process of getting your products ready to be accepted by Amazon’s fulfilment centres. This includes labelling, polybagging, bundling, bubble wrapping, and ensuring your goods meet all of Amazon’s strict packaging standards.
Here’s why it matters:
Meeting Amazon’s standards: If your products arrive at a fulfilment centre unprepared, Amazon may reject the shipment or apply additional prep fees themselves.
Saving time and money: Prepping at scale is time-consuming. Partnering with a prep centre frees you to focus on sourcing, pricing and scaling your business rather than standing over a roll of tape at midnight.
Professional presentation: When products arrive in pristine condition, you protect your brand and boost customer satisfaction.
How Can You Handle FBA Prep?
There are three main ways to deal with product preparation:
Amazon’s own FBA Prep Service – You can let Amazon handle labelling and packaging when creating shipments in Seller Central. However, fees are set by Amazon, and turnaround times are not always predictable. There are also a lot of horror stories of inventory being lost prior to being labelled.
Do it yourself – Fine for small-scale sellers or those just starting out, but quickly becomes overwhelming as volumes grow..
Third-Party Amazon Prep Centre UK – Specialist companies receive goods from your supplier, check them, prep them to Amazon standards, and forward them to fulfilment centres.
Click below for the list of the top 10 FBA prep centres in the UK
Understanding FBA Prep Centre Pricing
Now to the crucial part – what are you actually paying for when you use an Amazon Prep Centre UK? Pricing can be complex because there are different charging methods, different service levels, and often additional costs you need to factor in.
Pricing Methods Used by Prep Centres
1. Tiered FBA Prep Fees
This is one of the most cost-effective approaches. The more units you send each month, the less you pay per unit.
Example:
Band 1 (0–500 units): FNSKU labelling at £0.60 per unit
Band 4 (3,000–5,000 units): FNSKU labelling at £0.45 per unit. This suits growing sellers as fees drop in line with increasing volumes, keeping you competitive.
2. Flat Rate FBA Prep
You pay one price regardless of how many units you ship.
Example: FNSKU labelling fixed at £0.55 per unit whether you send 100 units or 10,000.This works well for newcomers, but you may need to renegotiate once volumes rise.
3. Pay-As-You-Go FBA Prep
Perfect for smaller or inconsistent sellers. You only pay for services used, but per-unit costs are often higher than with tiered pricing.
4. Bespoke Pricing
If you’re shipping high volumes consistently, most Amazon prep centres UK will tailor a plan to your needs. You’ll likely get preferential rates, but you’ll usually need to commit to regular, high-volume shipments.
Types of FBA Prep Fees
Beyond how prices are structured, you also need to understand what you’re being charged for.
1. All-In Pricing
You pay one set fee to cover multiple services (receiving, inspecting, polybagging, bubble wrap etc.). For example, £0.60 per unit all-inclusive.
Good if your stock needs varied prep.
Less cost-effective if your items only require labelling.
2. Separate Pricing
You add up individual costs – for example:
Receiving and inspecting: £0.10
Labelling: £0.25
Bubble wrap: £0.20. This method requires close monitoring, as fees add up fast.
3. Set Fees Per Service
You pay for exactly what you use. For example, £0.55 for polybagging (including receiving, inspecting and labelling). This can be one of the most cost-efficient options for sellers with consistent product requirements.
Standard FBA Prep Service Fees
Here’s a breakdown of typical per-unit fees charged by UK prep centres:
Labelling: £0.13 – £0.50
Polybagging: £0.20 – £0.55
Bundling: £0.40 – £0.65
Bubble wrapping: £0.45 – £0.70
Shipping boxes: £2 – £3.50 (large double-walled boxes)
Remember, these costs are based on averages for around 2,000–3,000 units per month. Your fees will vary depending on volume and services required.
Additional Costs to Watch Out For
A professional Amazon Prep Centre UK offers much more than basic labelling. However, every additional service comes at a cost. Make sure you understand these before signing a contract.
Common Extra Charges
Receiving fees – Checking inbound goods on arrival.
Subscription fees – Monthly or annual charges (£5 to £100), similar to a gym membership, covering account management costs.
Storage fees – Charged by cubic metre or shelf space. Ask if it’s based on product/carton size or pallet spaces. Some providers offer 30 days free storage for fast-moving items but check what happens after that period.
Shipping box costs – Be wary of providers using small boxes to cut costs; you may end up paying more in the long run if multiple boxes are needed. Average large box fees £2 - £3.50
Account set-up fees – One-off fees (£5 to £45) to secure your commitment.
Specialist Service Charges
Oversized or heavy labels
Palletising for bulk shipments
Extra or blank labels
Label removal or rework
Kitting or custom bundles
Amazon removals and reverse logistics
Some full-service prep centres also offer advanced logistics such as carton forwarding, freight forwarding, cross docking, ISO unloading or eCommerce fulfilment.
Don't forget to calculate your fees to ensure your margins are maintained after any FBA prep work. Use our free FBA calculator below.
Choosing the Right Amazon Prep Centre UK
Before committing to a provider, take time to research thoroughly. FBA prep mistakes can lead to rejected shipments, bad reviews and even product recalls – all of which destroy profits. Here’s what to check:
Company background: Search Companies House to see how long they’ve been trading. A prep centre operating for over five years is a good sign of reliability.
Google reviews: Read reviews carefully and check reviewer profiles to ensure they’re genuine.
VAT registration: Know whether fees include or exclude VAT to avoid surprise costs.
Industry accreditation: Look for professional standards or recommendations from other sellers.
Turnaround times: 12–72 hours is typical. Any longer can delay your Amazon shipments.
Customer support: Make sure you can reach someone quickly if an issue arises.
Why Using an Amazon Prep Centre UK is Worth It
Still unsure whether a prep centre is worth the investment? Here are the biggest benefits sellers report:
Time optimisation – Focus on sourcing and scaling while someone else handles the manual work.
Operational efficiency – Prep centres process goods faster and more accurately, getting products into Amazon FBA quicker.
Accuracy and compliance – Professional teams ensure correct labelling, packaging and documentation.
Cost-effectiveness – Saves money on packaging materials, shipping, and in-house labour costs.
Quality assurance – Reduced risk of damage or mislabelling, keeping your Amazon account in good standing.
Convenient receiving – No more waiting at home for courier deliveries; prep centres handle inbound shipments, even palletised goods.
Key Takeaways
FBA prep is essential for meeting Amazon’s strict requirements and protecting your seller account.
Using an Amazon Prep Centre UK can save time, reduce costs, and prevent errors that damage profit margins.
Understand the different pricing models (tiered, flat rate, pay-as-you-go, bespoke) and choose the one that fits your sales volume.
Factor in extra costs such as storage, shipping boxes and subscription fees.
Research providers carefully – experience, speed and service quality often matter more than the cheapest headline rate.
Check Amazon FBAs latest rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About FBA Prep and Amazon Prep Centres UK
What does an Amazon prep centre do? An Amazon prep centre receives your stock, inspects it for damage, labels it with FNSKU barcodes, polybags or bundles items where needed, and then ships your goods directly to Amazon’s fulfilment centres. Their job is to make sure your products meet Amazon’s strict requirements so you avoid rejections, extra fees or delays.
How much does FBA prep cost in the UK? Typical FBA prep fees in the UK range from £0.13 to £0.65 per unit, depending on services such as labelling, polybagging or bubble wrapping. Shipping boxes cost around £2 to £3.50, and many prep centres also charge subscription or storage fees. High-volume sellers can negotiate bespoke pricing.
Is using an Amazon Prep Centre UK worth it? Yes – a prep centre saves time, ensures compliance with Amazon’s standards, and often works out cheaper than doing the work yourself. Professional prep reduces the risk of errors that lead to bad reviews or shipment rejections, protecting your account and profit margins.
What’s the difference between Amazon’s FBA prep service and a third-party prep centre?Amazon offers its own prep service, but you have less control over pricing, turnaround times and service quality. A third-party Amazon Prep Centre UK can offer faster processing, bespoke pricing, and additional services such as bundling, carton forwarding or storage.
Do all products need FBA prep? Almost all products sent to Amazon FBA need at least a barcode – either an FNSKU label or a manufacturer barcode registered in Amazon’s system. Many items also require polybagging, bubble wrap, or bundling to protect them during storage and shipping.
How do I choose the right Amazon prep centre? Look for experience (at least 3–5 years in business), positive reviews, clear pricing, fast turnaround times (12–72 hours), and transparent service breakdowns. Check whether fees include VAT, and ensure the provider offers reliable customer support.
Ready to Scale Your Amazon FBA Business?
Blue30 partners with UK sellers to provide fast, accurate and cost-effective FBA prep services. Whether you’re sending 100 units or 10,000, we handle everything from labelling to logistics so you can focus on growing your business.
As one of the UKs only Amazon recommended FBA prep providers we are well positioned to assist with all levels of FBA prep work and fulfilment. With a simple tired pricing structure that works our cost effective as volumes increase.
Contact Blue30 today to streamline your FBA prep and avoid costly mistakes.
Comments