Amazon Prep Center Services Explained: Labelling, Bundling, Polybags, Pallets & Returns
A deep dive into the specific services offered by Fast Prep UK and how they protect your account health while boosting profitability.
Many new sellers make the mistake of thinking a prep center just "sticks labels on boxes." While labelling is core to what we do, modern FBA logistics is about much more: asset protection, compliance, and strategic bundling.
Amazon’s requirements for inbound inventory are incredibly strict. A single missing suffocation warning label or an unreadable barcode can result in rejected shipments or "stranded inventory."
1. FNSKU Labelling (The Basics)
This is the foundation of FBA. Amazon assigns a unique code called an FNSKU (Fulfilment Network Stock Keeping Unit) to your products.
Why you need it:
If you use the manufacturer's barcode (UPC/EAN), Amazon might "commingle" your inventory with other sellers. If another seller sends fake or damaged goods, your customer might receive them, and you get the bad review.
The Fix: We cover the original barcode with your specific FNSKU label. This ensures Amazon knows exactly which unit belongs to you, protecting your brand reputation.
2. Polybagging & Safety Compliance
Amazon has zero tolerance for safety violations. If you are selling textiles, plush toys, or liquids, polybagging isn't optional—it's mandatory.
- Textiles/Plush: Must be bagged to prevent dust and damage in the warehouse.
- Liquids: Must be double-sealed or bagged to prevent leakage.
- Small Parts: Loose items must be contained.
3. Bundling & Kitting Profit Multiplier
This is one of the most powerful strategies for Amazon sellers. Instead of selling a single bottle of shampoo (where competition is high and margins are low), you sell a "Hair Care Kit" containing shampoo, conditioner, and a serum.
How we do it:
- We receive the individual items from different suppliers.
- We pick the components for your bundle.
- We pack them together into a single unit (using shrink wrap, polybags, or custom boxes).
- We apply a "Do Not Separate" label and a single FNSKU for the whole set.
This creates a unique product that competitors cannot easily copy on the same listing, which often improves margins and reduces direct competition.
4. Palletizing (LTL Shipments)
When you scale up, shipping individual cartons (SPD) via UPS becomes expensive. Sending pallets (LTL - Less Than Truckload) drastically reduces your shipping cost per unit.
Fast Prep UK is fully equipped for pallet operations. We handle:
- Building compliant pallets to Amazon and carrier limits (height/weight).
- Wrapping and securing loads.
- Coordinating deliveries and paperwork where required.
- Applying pallet labels (4 sides).
5. Returns Management (Reverse Logistics)
Returns are an unfortunate reality of e-commerce. But a return doesn't have to be a total loss. Instead of letting Amazon destroy returns or sending them to your home, we can process them.
Our Returns Process:
- Receive & Inspect: We check if the item is genuinely damaged or just "customer remorse."
- Grade: We categorise it as "New condition (if unopened and compliant)", "Used," or "Damaged."
- Action: We can re-label and send it back to stock, or set it aside for you to liquidate.
6. Storage
While Amazon charges high long-term storage fees, our rates are designed for flexibility. We offer storage charged by cubic meter (m³), allowing you to hold "buffer stock" in the UK and drip-feed it into Amazon FBA only when needed. This can help keep Amazon stock levels lean, which may support healthier IPI metrics.
Common Questions About FBA Prep Services
What services does a UK prep center typically offer?
Standard services include receiving goods, visual inspection for damages, FNSKU labelling, polybagging, bubble wrapping, kitting/bundling, and carton forwarding. Advanced centers also offer storage, palletizing, and returns management.
Do I need polybags for my products?
You generally need polybags for textiles, plush items (to prevent dust), liquids (to prevent leaks), and small loose parts. In many cases, larger polybags require a suffocation warning under Amazon’s rules.
When should I switch from SPD cartons to pallets?
It often becomes cost-effective once carton count and total weight are high enough that LTL rates beat parcel rates. The exact tipping point depends on carrier pricing and dimensions. Pallets are also safer for heavy or fragile bulk shipments.
Can a prep center handle Amazon removals/returns?
Yes. A prep center can receive removal orders from Amazon, inspect the returned units, and help you decide whether to restock them as new condition (if unopened and compliant), sell them as used elsewhere, or dispose of them.
Need a quote for these services?
Our pricing is transparent. You don't need to guess how much bundling or palletizing costs.