How to create and print FBA shipment labels

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Creating and printing FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) shipment labels is an essential step for sellers using Amazon’s FBA service to send products to Amazon’s warehouses. Here’s a detailed guide on how to create and print FBA shipment labels:

Step 1: Prepare Your Products for Shipment

Before you can create shipment labels, you need to have the following ready:

  1. Product Information: Ensure that your products are listed on Amazon, and you have their ASINs or SKUs.
  2. Inventory: Your products should be properly packaged according to Amazon’s packaging requirements.
  3. Shipping Plan: Create a shipment plan on Amazon Seller Central (explained below).

Step 2: Create a Shipment Plan on Amazon Seller Central

  1. Log in to Amazon Seller Central: Go to Amazon Seller Central and log in with your seller account.
  2. Navigate to FBA Shipping:
    • In the main menu, click on “Inventory” and then “Manage FBA Shipments”.
    • Alternatively, go to “Shipping Queue” under the “Fulfillment” tab.
  3. Create a Shipment:
    • Click on “Create a shipment plan”.
    • You’ll need to enter the shipment origin (where you’re shipping from) and the ship-from address.
  4. Choose Your Products:
    • Select the products you want to send to Amazon’s fulfillment center. You can add products by scanning their barcodes or entering ASINs/SKUs manually.
    • For each product, specify the quantity that you are sending.
  5. Prepare Shipment:
    • After confirming the products and quantities, Amazon will suggest fulfillment centers where your products should be sent. Amazon’s system will automatically divide your shipment between different fulfillment centers if needed.
    • You will be able to see a breakdown of the centers and the quantities to be sent to each location.

Step 3: Generate FBA Shipment Labels

  1. Label Creation:
    • Once your shipment plan is confirmed, Amazon will ask you to prepare shipment labels for your products.
    • Select “Print labels for this shipment” or “Print All Labels” depending on the number of shipments you have.
  2. Choose Label Format:
    • You will be presented with two options for printing labels:
      • Standard Labels (4″ x 6″): The most common size for FBA shipment labels.
      • Labeling Requirements: You can opt for specific label requirements, such as labels for each item or box.
  3. Download and Print Labels:
    • Download the labels in PDF format.
    • Make sure that the labels are printed at the correct size. Amazon recommends printing the labels on a 4” x 6” label sheet or using a thermal printer for best results.
    • If you’re using a regular printer, print on standard paper and cut out the labels.

Step 4: Apply FBA Labels to Your Products

  1. Attach Labels to Products:
    • Each unit of your product should have an FBA label affixed to it. The label must be clearly visible and not obstructed by any packaging.
    • Ensure the barcode (FNSKU) is printed and scannable.
    • The label should not be placed on any seams, flaps, or edges where it might be damaged or unreadable.
  2. Labeling Multiple Units:
    • If you have multiple units of the same product, you’ll need to apply a unique label to each unit. This ensures each item can be tracked and processed correctly.

Step 5: Ship Your Products to Amazon

  1. Prepare Boxes:
    • Pack your products securely in boxes that adhere to Amazon’s packaging requirements.
    • Ensure you follow Amazon’s guidelines for box weight and size. You can use Amazon’s Box Content tool to track the contents of each box.
  2. Create Box Content:
    • In your shipment plan, you’ll be prompted to create box contents to associate each box with the products inside. This helps Amazon’s fulfillment centers to efficiently process your shipment.
  3. Review and Confirm:
    • Review your shipment details, including quantities and shipment destinations.
    • Once everything is correct, confirm your shipment.
  4. Shipping and Tracking:
    • After confirming, you can generate shipping labels for the carrier you’re using (FedEx, UPS, etc.).
    • Ship the boxes to the designated Amazon fulfillment centers.

Step 6: Track Your Shipment

  1. Tracking Information:
    • After shipping your boxes, you can enter the tracking number in your shipment plan to track the progress of your delivery.
  2. Shipment Confirmation:
    • Once Amazon receives and processes your shipment, you will receive a notification confirming the arrival and processing of your products.

Tips for Successful FBA Label Printing and Shipment

  • Quality of Labels: Ensure that the labels are printed clearly with high-quality resolution. A smudged or unclear barcode can cause delays or misprocessing of your shipment.
  • Check Label Requirements: Double-check Amazon’s FBA labeling requirements, such as barcode size and placement, to avoid issues during processing.
  • Use Amazon’s Recommended Suppliers: If you don’t have access to a thermal label printer, Amazon has approved third-party suppliers for label printing.
  • Shipping Costs: Compare shipping costs from different carriers to get the best deal. Shipping directly to the fulfillment centers is often more cost-effective, but check for any restrictions or special requirements for each center.

Conclusion

Creating and printing FBA shipment labels is a crucial part of the FBA process, ensuring your products are accurately tracked and delivered to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. By following the steps above and ensuring proper label printing and application, you can streamline your shipping process and avoid delays. Always stay updated with Amazon’s latest FBA guidelines, as they periodically change packaging and labeling requirements to improve fulfillment efficiency.

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