/Amazon FBA Supplies for Third-Party Sellers: Top Questions Answered

• Sep 11, 2025 • 14 min read

Amazon FBA Supplies for Third-Party Sellers: Top Questions Answered

Colleen Quattlebaum

Marketing

When you sell on Amazon using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you are running an Amazon business, and your job isn’t done when you make a sale. Selling on Amazon involves more than just listing products; it requires ongoing management, preparation, and the right supplies to ensure a smooth selling process. Before Amazon takes over the storage, packing, and shipping, you have to send your inventory to their fulfillment centers, and that requires the right supplies. Whether you’re a brand-new seller or scaling your business, understanding what you need (and why) can save you time, money, and frustration.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer the most common questions Amazon sellers have about FBA supplies, including what to buy, where to get it, how to stay compliant with Amazon’s requirements, and tips for cost efficiency.

Why FBA Supplies Matter

Amazon has strict packaging, labeling, and shipping requirements. If you don’t follow them, your inventory can be delayed, rejected, or even penalized with additional prep or fulfillment fees. The right FBA supplies ensure:

Compliance: Products arrive at Amazon ready for storage and shipment.
Protection: Items are less likely to be damaged in transit.
Efficiency: You save time during the prep process.
Cost savings: Buying supplies strategically can cut expenses significantly.

Having all the essential supplies is crucial to meet Amazon's strict requirements and streamline your FBA process.

Now let’s dive into the top questions Amazon sellers ask about FBA supplies.

1. What Supplies Do I Need for Amazon FBA?

At a minimum, you’ll need:

Shipping boxes: Must meet Amazon’s size and weight requirements.
Poly bags: Required for certain products, like those with loose pieces or fabrics.
Bubble wrap or dunnage: Protects fragile items.
Packing tape: Heavy-duty, clear tape for sealing boxes.
Labels: For FNSKU barcodes and shipping labels.
Label Printer: Thermal label printer, or laser printer for labels.
Desktop barcode scanner: Essential tool for efficient inventory management and order processing.
Scissors or box cutters: To prepare and cut packaging materials.

Optional but helpful supplies include:

Label holders: To keep shipping labels protected.
Tape guns or tape dispensers: Recommended tool for faster and more efficient packing.
Measuring tools and scales: To ensure correct dimensions and weight for shipping.

Having the right tool for each packing and labeling task can save time and reduce errors.

2. Where Is the Best Place to Buy Amazon FBA Supplies?

Most sellers buy supplies from:

Amazon: Convenient, with options like pre-made FBA kits.
Uline or Staples: Good for bulk orders.
Walmart or Target: For smaller, quick purchases.
FBA supply specialists: Some companies offer complete starter kits designed for Amazon sellers.
Wholesale distributors: Purchasing directly from wholesale distributors is a great option for buying shipping supplies in bulk.

Some distributors offer exclusive deals or discounts for bulk purchases, which can help lower your overall costs.

Pro tip: Compare prices across multiple suppliers. Buying in bulk often saves money long-term. Look for deals and discounts from wholesale suppliers and distributors to maximize your savings when purchasing FBA supplies.

3. What Type of Boxes Does Amazon Require for FBA Shipments?

Amazon requires boxes that meet specific size and weight limits:

Maximum box weight: 50 lbs (unless a single item weighs more).
Maximum box dimensions: 25 inches on any side for standard shipments.

When preparing your package for Amazon FBA, it's important to minimize empty space inside your boxes. Excess empty space can lead to higher shipping costs and increase the risk of product damage during transit. Shipping fees are calculated based on dimensions and weight, so minimizing the size of the package is important to reduce shipping costs. Using larger boxes than necessary can increase dimensional weight charges, so resizing boxes to fit your items closely helps reduce costs.

Other requirements:

Must be a six-sided box that will not collapse when medium pressure is applied to any of the sides.
Boxes must be sturdy and new (no holes, tears, or old labels).
Use strong corrugated cardboard for heavy items.
Boxes with barcodes from previous shipments must have them removed or covered.

4. How Do I Choose the Right Poly Bags for Amazon FBA?

Amazon requires poly bags for products like clothing, textiles, and items with small, loose pieces. Here’s what to look for:

Thickness: Minimum 1.5 mil (0.0015 inches).
Suffocation warning: Must be printed or attached if the bag opening is larger than 5 inches.
Transparency: Bag must be clear enough for scanners to read the barcode.

Poly bags come in self-sealing, resealable, or adhesive strip options. Choose based on how quickly you want to pack your products.

5. What Kind of Labels Do I Need for FBA Products and Shipments?

You’ll need two main types of labels:

FNSKU labels for each product unit. These identify your inventory for Amazon.

Shipping labels for each box, generated in Seller Central.

Label specs:

Size: 1” x 2 5/8” for product labels; 4” x 6” for shipping labels.
Printing: Use a thermal or laser printer for durability. A thermal label printer is ideal for printing shipping labels and FNSKU barcodes, as it produces high-quality, durable labels that meet Amazon's requirements. Thermal label printers do not require ink, making them more cost-effective and convenient for high-volume printing. Printing shipping labels with a thermal label printer also ensures compliance and long-lasting results.

Never handwrite labels. Amazon requires scannable barcodes.

6. Do I Need Bubble Wrap, and If So, When?

Amazon requires bubble wrap for fragile or breakable items to prevent damage. Examples:

Glassware or ceramics
Electronics with screens
Heavy or dense objects that could damage other items during transit

Alternative options: Air pillows, foam inserts, or crumpled paper can work for lightweight products.

If you're packaging sharp units such as scissors, knives, or graters, you must have puncture-resistant packaging. Bubble wrap or a box is NOT an acceptable form of packaging as the sharp points and edges can easily pierce through the materials. Always check Amazon’s Product Packaging Requirements before shipping.

Pro Tip: Invest in packing material dispensers to organize and dispense bubble wrap, stretch wrap, or packing paper. This keeps packing stations neat and speeds up the workflow.

7. Can I Reuse Boxes or Packing Materials for FBA Shipments?

Amazon discourages reusing boxes unless they are like new and meet all requirements:

No old labels or markings
No tears, dents, or water damage
Correct size and weight limits

If in doubt, use new materials. Amazon may refuse damaged or poorly packaged shipments.

8. What’s the Best Printer for Amazon FBA Labels?

Most sellers prefer thermal printers because they print durable, smudge-proof labels without ink.

Popular label printers:

Rollo: Affordable, fast, widely used by Amazon sellers.
Dymo 4XL: Compact and reliable.
Zebra: Industrial-grade for high-volume sellers.

Laser printers (like Brother or HP) are fine for low-volume sellers, but ink costs add up quickly.

9. How Much Do Amazon FBA Supplies Cost, and Can I Deduct Them?

Costs vary depending on shipment size, supply quality, and the price you pay for each item. Rough estimates:

Boxes: $0.50–$2 each
Poly bags: $0.05–$0.20 each
Bubble wrap: $20–$30 per large roll
Labels: $10–$20 per 1,000-pack
Tape: $2–$5 per roll

Compare prices from different suppliers to get the best deal on your Amazon FBA supplies. Shipping costs and shipping charges can also vary based on the size and weight of your shipments, so factor these into your total expenses. To save money, optimize your packaging to reduce dimensional weight and take advantage of bulk pricing when possible.

Tax tip: Supplies are generally tax-deductible as business expenses. Keep receipts for your records.

10. Are There Pre-Made FBA Supply Kits Available?

Yes. Many companies offer starter kits with boxes, tape, labels, and bubble wrap bundled together. They’re convenient for new sellers who don’t want to research every individual supply.

Amazon and third-party sellers on Amazon often sell these kits directly.

11. How Do I Ensure My Packaging Meets Amazon’s Requirements?

Follow Amazon’s Packaging Requirements guide carefully. Key steps:

Use correct materials: Boxes, labels, and dunnage must meet Amazon standards.

Label correctly: All barcodes should be scannable and placed properly.

Follow weight and size rules: No box should exceed Amazon’s limits.

Mistakes can lead to delays, rejections, or additional prep fees at the fulfillment center.

12. Are There Eco-Friendly or Sustainable Options for FBA Supplies?

Yes, many sellers are switching to eco-friendly materials like:

Recycled cardboard boxes (must be like new)
Biodegradable packing peanuts
Paper-based tape instead of plastic
Compostable poly bags

These options can help reduce environmental impact and appeal to eco-conscious customers.

Measuring and Handling Tools Every FBA Seller Needs

Accurate measuring and handling are a necessity of efficient shipping for Amazon FBA sellers. Having the right tools on hand not only helps you avoid costly mistakes but also streamlines your workflow, saving you valuable time and money. Whether you’re a new Amazon seller preparing your first shipment or an experienced FBA seller managing hundreds of units, having the right packing station setup will help you stay organized, efficient, and compliant.

Amazon FBA Packing Station Setup Checklist

Digital shipping scale
Measuring tape or ruler
Calipers to measure small items
Barcode scanner
Box cutter or utility knife
Tape gun or tape dispenser
Label printer (thermal)
Label applicator tool
Packing material dispensers

Tips for Saving Money on Amazon FBA Supplies

Here are some tips to increase efficiency and costs:

Buy in bulk: Lower per-unit costs.
Look for discounts: Check Amazon, Uline, or office supply stores for sales.
Reuse dunnage: Air pillows or paper from other shipments can be reused if clean.
Invest in a thermal printer: Saves money on ink long-term.
Consider FBA Prep Services: Some services include supplies in their fees.
Take advantage of free shipping supplies: Carriers like USPS and UPS offer free shipping supplies such as boxes and mailing labels. Using these can help businesses reduce costs and streamline the shipping process.
Set up a business shipping account: Creating a business shipping account with carriers can give ecommerce businesses and Amazon FBA sellers access to discounted shipping rates, helping to lower overall expenses.
Use multiple fulfillment centers strategically: Shipping inventory to multiple fulfillment centers can reduce shipping distances and shipping costs, and improve delivery times for your customers.
Consolidate your inventory: Sending your inventory in fewer Amazon FBA shipments can save on shipping charges and simplify logistics.
Ship inventory directly to Amazon FBA warehouses: Shipping directly to Amazon FBA warehouses allows for faster processing and quicker availability of your products for order fulfillment.
Leverage 3PL fulfillment services: Running an FBA business efficiently means taking advantage of third-party logistics and fulfillment services to optimize order fulfillment processes, improve delivery speed, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Gain an advantage: Amazon FBA sellers and other ecommerce businesses can gain an advantage by using these strategies to streamline operations, control costs, and boost profitability.

Conclusion

Having the right Amazon FBA supplies isn’t just about convenience—it’s about compliance, cost savings, and customer satisfaction. By using the right materials, following Amazon’s guidelines, and shopping smart, professional sellers can streamline their shipping process, avoid costly mistakes, and focus on growing their ecommerce business.

Just Starting Your Amazon FBA Business?

Learn more from these helpful resources: