Amazon FBA Changes Coming January 1, 2026: What Sellers Need To Know Now

Amazon FBA Changes Coming January 1, 2026: What Sellers Need To Know Now

January 1, 2026 marks a meaningful operational shift for U.S. Amazon sellers. It’s not a fee increase or a minor policy tweak—it’s the removal of a service many brands quietly relied on to keep inventory flowing smoothly into Amazon fulfillment centers.

Starting January 1, Amazon will discontinue its U.S. FBA prep and item labeling services, fundamentally changing how sellers must prepare inventory before it reaches Amazon’s docks. For sellers who wait to react, this change could surface as inbound delays, compliance issues, or unexpected operational costs. For those who plan ahead, it’s manageable—and in some cases, an opportunity to tighten operations.

What’s Changing On January 1, 2026

Amazon has confirmed via its Seller Central documentation that FBA prep and item labeling services will no longer be available in the U.S. as of January 1, 2026. Inventory must now arrive fully compliant and retail-ready.

Sellers can review Amazon’s official guidance and prep requirements directly in Seller Central:

https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help

Services being removed include:

• FNSKU and item labeling
• Polybagging (including suffocation warnings)
• Bubble wrapping and fragile prep
• Bundling and kitting
• Other unit-level prep required for Amazon inbound compliance

Amazon fulfillment centers will continue enforcing prep standards—but they will no longer correct issues on arrival.

Why This Change Matters More Than It Appears

At first glance, this may seem like a small operational adjustment. In reality, it shifts responsibility—and risk—upstream.

Inbound delays become easier to trigger. When inventory arrives improperly labeled or prepped, it can result in check-in delays, inventory holds, forced removals, or longer lead times before units become sellable. Even minor prep mistakes can cascade into stockouts, especially for fast-moving SKUs.

Prep labor and materials also become your responsibility. What Amazon previously handled now requires label printers, label stock, polybags, bubble wrap, dunnage, documented SOPs, quality checks, and trained labor. For many sellers, the challenge isn’t just cost—it’s consistency.

Supplier and prep reliability suddenly matter more. If you plan to push prep upstream to manufacturers or co-packers, accuracy becomes critical. Incorrect labeling at the source can be just as disruptive as no prep at all.

Sellers Who Will Feel This The Most

This change has the biggest impact on sellers with fragile or liquid products, apparel and textiles requiring polybagging, bundled or kitted SKUs, high-volume replenishment cycles, or lean internal teams that relied on Amazon prep for flexibility.

For these sellers, prep is no longer a background task—it’s a core operational function.

Three Realistic Paths Forward

There are only a few viable ways to adapt. The key is choosing one intentionally.

Handle Prep In-House

This works best for sellers with limited SKUs, predictable inbound volume, and tight operational control. It’s effective when processes are documented and quality checks are enforced—but can break down quickly during peak season without guardrails.

Push Prep To Your Manufacturer Or Co-Packer

Often the most scalable long-term option if your supplier can reliably apply correct labels, follow Amazon packaging standards, and pass routine quality checks. This approach works best with clear specs and verification before freight leaves origin.

Use A Prep-Capable 3PL

For many growing brands, partnering with a 3PL that already understands Amazon compliance will replace what Amazon is removing—without pulling focus away from sales and product development.

When evaluating partners, sellers should look for SKU-level prep SOPs, photo documentation and exception reporting, clear dock-to-ready SLAs, and the ability to handle peak volume without quality drops.

For sellers exploring this route, directories that allow you to filter fulfillment providers by services—such as Amazon FBA prep, labeling, and kitting—can reduce trial-and-error outreach and speed up partner selection.

Find a FBA Prep ready 3PL on Racklfy

A Simple Checklist To Complete Before January 1

To avoid a January scramble:

1. Identify which SKUs previously relied on Amazon prep
2. Document prep requirements at the SKU level
3. Choose your operating model (in-house, supplier, or 3PL)
4. Test the new workflow with a pilot shipment
5. Put a stopgap in place so noncompliant inventory never ships

Doing this once—properly—prevents recurring issues all year.

Plan January As One Transition Window

While prep changes take effect January 1, additional FBA fee and inventory calculation updates roll out mid-January 2026. Operational changes and cost changes will overlap.

Treat early January as a single planning phase rather than reacting piecemeal.

Sellers can monitor fee and policy updates directly through Amazon’s FBA announcements:

https://sellercentral.amazon.com/fba

The Bigger Picture

Amazon’s decision to remove prep and labeling services reflects a broader shift toward cleaner, faster, more standardized inbound expectations—with less remediation at the fulfillment center.

Sellers who adapt early will experience fewer disruptions. Those who don’t may feel the impact at the worst possible time—when inventory is needed most.

For brands exploring external prep support, having visibility into fulfillment partners that already handle Amazon-compliant prep can simplify this transition significantly. Tools that surface prep-capable 3PLs by location, service, and specialization—rather than relying on cold outreach—are becoming increasingly valuable as January approaches.