Starting January 1, 2026, Amazon implemented a policy shift that fundamentally changes the operational workflow for thousands of brands. As of this year, Amazon has officially discontinued all in-house prep and item labeling services for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipments in the U.S.
This update applies across the board, including shipments sent through AWD (Amazon Warehousing and Distribution), AGL (Amazon Global Logistics), and Amazon SEND.
What This Means for Your Brand
For years, many sellers relied on Amazon’s optional, fee-based services to handle unit-level tasks like FNSKU labeling, poly-bagging, and bubble-wrapping. With these services no longer available, the responsibility for retail-readiness now rests entirely on the seller before the inventory reaches an Amazon facility.
While Amazon’s requirements have always been rigorous, the margin for error has narrowed. Shipments that arrive without proper labeling or prep now face a significantly higher risk of:
- Refusal at the Dock: Amazon reserves the right to reject non-compliant shipments, returning them to the point of origin at the seller’s expense.
- Ineligibility for Reimbursements: Under the new policy, items that arrive without correct prep are not eligible for damage or loss claims during the receiving process.
- Inventory Delays: Non-compliant inventory often results in “stranded” status, leading to stockouts and lost sales velocity.
The Challenges of “Upstream” Prep
Many brands hope their manufacturers can bridge the gap. While some factories are highly capable, the reality is that Amazon’s compliance standards for 2026 are exacting. A single smeared barcode or a poly-bag with the wrong thickness can result in a “non-compliance” flag. For many international manufacturers, meeting a 100% compliance threshold for every single unit remains a significant challenge.
So, what are your options?
- Take on the task yourself: Turn your location into a warehouse and hope you’re “the chosen one” who never misses a barcode.
- Get in contact with us: We are Hermeslines. We’re a 3PL company that does Amazon Prep on a daily basis.
Interestingly, some of our clients decided to use our prep services even when Amazon still offered their own. Why? Because we do the exact same prep, and we do it at a highly competitive price point. We don’t have a “corporate” attitude. We just get your stuff into the warehouse so you can keep making money.
If you’re tired of the Amazon headache, feel free to call us, hit us up on WhatsApp or Line, or send an email. The choice is yours.
Disclaimer: Hermeslines is an independent third-party logistics provider. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon.com, Inc. “Amazon,” “FBA,” “AWD,” “AGL,” and “SEND” are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
