Amazon FBA box requirements: the practical basics
5 min read
What FBA generally expects from shipping cartons — sturdy new boxes, sensible weights, no old markings — and why you should always verify Amazon's current rules before you ship.
First: always check Amazon's current requirements
Amazon updates its FBA prep and shipment rules over time, and the version in Seller Central is the only one that counts. Treat this guide as the durable basics that rarely change — what makes a carton FBA-friendly in practice — and verify the specifics (current size and weight limits, labeling rules) against Amazon's own documentation before every new shipment setup.
Use sturdy, new boxes
An FBA carton rides conveyors, gets stacked on pallets, and is handled by machines and people who have never met your product. A crisp, rigid box in a proper board grade survives that trip; a soft, scuffed one invites crushed corners and received-damaged headaches. Our ECT and box strength guide explains how board grades map to load, and every product page lists the ECT rating and wall type.
Skip reused boxes with old labels or markings
Reused cartons carry baggage: old barcodes that confuse scanners, previous shipping labels, hazmat or branding marks that no longer apply. Amazon generally expects those removed or covered, and a box that's been through one trip has already lost stiffness. For FBA, new plain boxes are the simpler, safer route.
Mind the weight per box
Amazon enforces per-box weight limits and expects heavier cartons to be flagged for team lifting — check the current thresholds in Seller Central. The practical rule: keep each carton at a weight one person can comfortably and safely lift. Dense product is better split across more, smaller boxes than packed into one back-breaker.
Standard sizes palletize better
Uniform cartons stack into clean, stable pallet layers; a mix of odd sizes leaves gaps, overhangs, and crushed bottom rows. Standardizing on one or two stock sizes per product line makes pallets tidier and receiving smoother. We stock standard RSC sizes with the board specs listed on every product page — browse the catalog and match a size to your case pack.
Find the right box in seconds
Enter your item and we'll return the tightest box that fits, with the price and shipping weight.
FAQ
Can I reuse boxes for FBA shipments?
It's generally a bad idea. Old labels, barcodes and markings have to be removed or covered, and a once-used box has already lost rigidity. Check Amazon's current policy, but new boxes are the simpler and safer choice.
What ECT should I use for FBA boxes?
Amazon doesn't generally mandate a specific board grade — its requirements focus on cartons surviving handling. Check the current rules in Seller Central. As a starting point: 32 ECT single wall handles most typical case weights, and heavier packed cartons call for a stronger board grade — step up to 44 ECT or double wall for dense loads.
Do you sell FBA-friendly box sizes?
We stock standard RSC sizes in honest board grades, with the ECT rating and wall type listed on every product page — sizes that palletize cleanly and survive fulfillment-center handling. Verify your chosen size against Amazon's current size and weight limits before shipping.