Selling products through Amazon FBA requires careful attention to box size requirements. Your success as a seller depends on following these rules to avoid extra fees and rejected shipments.
I’ll be straight up, failure to adhere to the box size limits will end up with you being charged extra by Amazon.
Amazon FBA sets strict box size limits: packages must not exceed 63.5 cm on any side and cannot weigh more than 22.68 kg. These limits apply to individual boxes you send to Amazon’s warehouses, not the packaging for customer orders.
Working within these size limits helps you keep costs down and ensures smooth processing at Amazon’s fulfilment centres. You can pack multiple items in a single box as long as it meets these measurements, making your shipping more efficient.
Understanding FBA Box Size Limits and Requirements
Amazon FBA has strict box size and weight requirements to ensure efficient storage and shipping. Amazon FBA Box Size limits help maintain safety standards and smooth warehouse operations.
Maximum Box Size and Weight Range
Your FBA boxes must not exceed 63.5 cm x 45.7 cm x 35.6 cm in size. Each box needs to weigh between 0.9 kg and 22.7 kg.
Standard-Size Package Requirements:
- Length + girth must not exceed 165.1 cm
- Minimum dimensions: 2.54 cm on any side
- Maximum weight: 9.1 kg
Oversized Package Requirements:
- Length + girth must not exceed 330.2 cm
- Maximum single side length: 274.3 cm
- Maximum weight: 22.7 kg
Packaging Guidelines and Box Content Information
Your boxes must be sturdy corrugated cardboard with secure sealing on all edges. Each box requires a scannable barcode label.
Essential Box Requirements:
- Single parcel only (no bundled boxes)
- New, rigid cardboard only
- Six-sided regular shape
- Flat surfaces on all sides
Items inside need proper protective materials:
- Bubble wrap for fragile items
- Void fill to prevent movement
- No loose items or rattling contents
Label placement must be flat and clearly visible on the top surface. Your box contents list should match the shipment details in Seller Central exactly.
Fees Applicable to Oversized and Heavy Items
Amazon FBA charges different fees based on item dimensions and weight. Larger and heavier items cost more to store and ship, which directly impacts your profit margins.
FBA Heavy and Bulky Programme
The FBA Heavy and Bulky programme handles items weighing over 12 kg. Storage fees start at £0.65 per cubic foot per month during standard seasons.
Shipping fees range from £8.50 to £35.00 depending on weight tiers:
- 12-30 kg: £8.50
- 30-60 kg: £15.00
- 60-100 kg: £25.00
- 100+ kg: £35.00
Your profit calculations must factor in these higher fees. Consider raising prices to maintain healthy margins on bulky items.
Standard-Size Items versus Oversized Items
Standard-size items must weigh less than 12 kg and measure under 45 x 34 x 26 cm. These items have lower storage and shipping fees.
Oversized items exceed these limits and face higher costs:
- Storage fees are 2x higher than standard items
- Shipping fees increase by 50-150%
- Peak season (October-December) fees rise by an extra 30%
You’ll need to price oversized products carefully. Many sellers focus on standard-size items to maximise profits.
Track your storage duration carefully. Long-term storage fees apply after 365 days, adding significant costs to larger items.
Labelling and Preparation for Shipment
Proper labelling and packaging are essential steps to ensure your FBA products move smoothly through Amazon’s warehouses. Accurate labels and safe packaging protect your items and speed up processing times.
Specific Labelling Requirements
Each product needs a unique FNSKU barcode label from Amazon Seller Central. Print these labels in black ink on white labels with a minimum size of 1 x 2 inches.
Your FNSKU must be clearly visible and scannable. Cover any existing manufacturer barcodes to prevent scanning confusion.
Place labels on the outer packaging, not directly on the product. For multi-pack items, place one label on the outer package.
Keep labels flat and wrinkle-free. Avoid placing them on corners or seams where they might get damaged.
Packaging Materials and Safety Labelling
Use strong, corrugated cardboard boxes that can withstand the journey through the fulfilment centre. Your boxes must be clean and free from damage.
Poly bags must be at least 1.5 mil thick. For bags larger than 5 inches, add a clear suffocation warning in English.
Seal all boxes with strong packing tape. Do not use string or elastic bands.
Fragile items need bubble wrap or air pillows. Leave 5 cm of cushioning between items and box walls.
Mark boxes containing liquids or sharp items with “Contains Liquid” or “Sharp Item” warnings.
Use “Ready to Ship” labels if your box meets Amazon’s standard size requirements.
Compliance, Rejections, and Impact on Seller Account
Amazon FBA sellers must follow strict box size requirements to maintain their selling privileges and avoid costly shipping rejections. Following these rules helps protect your account status and keeps your business running smoothly.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Your Amazon seller account faces several risks when you don’t meet box size requirements. A single violation can trigger a warning from Amazon.
Three or more violations within 30 days may result in temporary shipping restrictions for your account.
Common Penalties Include:
- Shipment rejection at Amazon fulfilment centres
- Additional handling fees
- Temporary suspension of shipping privileges
- Account performance metrics penalties
Repeated violations could lead to permanent shipping blocks or account suspension in severe cases.
Accurate Measurements and Shipping Violations
Precise measurement of your boxes is crucial to avoid violations. You must measure each side at its longest point, including any bulges or irregular shapes.
Essential Measurement Guidelines:
- Use a calibrated tape measure
- Include packaging materials in measurements
- Round up to the nearest centimetre
- Document all measurements for reference
Amazon’s shipping system flags boxes that exceed stated dimensions during receipt. These boxes often face immediate rejection.
Keep detailed records of your box measurements and shipping compliance history. This documentation helps if you need to dispute any violations.
Enhancing Customer Experience and Reducing Costs
Proper packaging choices affect both your profits and customer satisfaction rates when selling through Amazon FBA. Smart packaging decisions protect your items and save money on storage fees.
Packaging for Customer Satisfaction
Choose boxes that fit your products snugly to prevent damage during shipping. Add appropriate cushioning materials like bubble wrap or air pillows to protect fragile items.
Your packaging must withstand the rigours of warehouse handling and delivery. Strong corrugated boxes rated for your product’s weight provide the best protection.
Include clear product labels and handling instructions when needed. This helps Amazon staff process your items correctly and ensures customers receive them in perfect condition.
Professional packaging builds trust with buyers. Clean, branded boxes make a positive impression and encourage repeat purchases.
Cost-Saving Tips for Sellers
Calculate dimensional weight before choosing box sizes. Smaller boxes often cost less to ship and store in Amazon’s warehouses.
Use multi-pack boxes when practical. Sending multiple units in a single box reduces your per-unit shipping costs to fulfilment centres.
Track your storage fees carefully. Remove slow-moving items before long-term storage fees apply.
Consider seasonal storage needs. Send smaller quantities during peak periods when storage costs are higher.
Pro tip: Keep detailed records of packaging costs and storage fees for each product. This helps identify areas where you can trim expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Amazon’s FBA box size rules affect every seller’s shipping process. The size and weight limits protect workers and ensure efficient warehouse operations.
What are the maximum dimensions for a box sent to Amazon FBA?
The largest standard-size box Amazon accepts measures 45.72 cm x 35.56 cm x 45.72 cm.
For oversized items, the maximum dimensions are 152.4 cm x 121.92 cm x 121.92 cm.
How much weight can a package for Amazon FBA contain?
Standard-size boxes must weigh less than 22.68 kg.
Oversized packages can weigh up to 68.04 kg.
Are there specific packaging requirements for Amazon FBA shipments?
Your boxes must be sturdy corrugated cardboard with secure sealing tape on all edges.
Each box needs a scannable shipping label and must not have old labels or markings.
Multiple items in one box need individual barcodes and protective packaging.
What are the permissible parcel sizes for Amazon FBA inventory?
Small standard-size items must be under 33.02 cm x 22.86 cm x 2.54 cm.
Large standard-size items fall between small standard and oversized dimensions.
Can you provide guidelines for packaging dimensions with respect to Amazon FBA?
Your box should have at least 5.08 cm of space between items and the box walls.
Fragile items need extra padding and must not shift during transport.
Is there a standard size for Amazon FBA boxes, and where can I find detailed illustrations?
Amazon’s Seller Central website provides detailed box size charts and illustrations.
Common box sizes include 30.48 cm x 20.32 cm x 20.32 cm and 40.64 cm x 30.48 cm x 30.48 cm.
You can use any box size within the limits as long as it meets Amazon’s packaging requirements.