Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist: Everything Sellers Need Before Shipping from China

If you’re getting ready to send your first shipment from China to Amazon, or you’ve already shipped a few times but keep missing something, a complete Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist is exactly what you need.

There are plenty of checklists out there, but most are the same old “labels, invoice, packing list” trio – they don’t reflect what’s changed in 2026. This year, Amazon’s inbound rules went through three fundamental changes: FBA prep and labeling services are completely gone, meaning labels must be applied at origin. New FNSKU label rules are in effect, requiring non-brand-registered sellers to use FNSKU labels. And inbound defect fees have shot up, making wrong labels and oversized cartons more costly than ever.

If your Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist is still a few years old, the items you’re missing might be exactly what’s causing your shipments to get rejected or hit with fines. Here’s a checklist organized by shipping stage. Confirm each item before moving to the next stage. Don’t skip steps, and don’t rely on memory.

1. Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist – Stage 1: Product and Compliance

This is the most basic stage before shipping – and the one most easily skipped.

Product compliance checks

• Does your product meet the destination country’s certification requirements? US sites may need FCC, CPC, or FDA; European sites need CE or UKCA

• Has your supplier provided compliance documents?

• Does the product packaging have safety warning labels?

• Is “MADE IN CHINA” marked on the outer carton?

Product and listing consistency checks

• Does the physical product match the listing description?

• Is the SKU information accurate?

• Are you brand-registered? This directly affects whether you need FNSKU labels

Supplier communication checks

• Have you given your supplier Amazon FBA packaging and labeling requirements? Include pictures, not just text

• Have you confirmed your supplier’s labeling capability? If they have no FBA experience, arrange for the forwarder to help in advance

• Have you asked your supplier to send photos before sealing the boxes?

2. Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist – Stage 2: Seller Central Preparation

All the actions in this stage happen in Seller Central.

Shipment creation checks

• Have you created the shipment plan in Seller Central?

• Is the ship-from address correct?

• Have you accepted the assigned Amazon FBA warehouse?

• Have you recorded the SHIPMENT ID?

Label preparation checks

• Have you downloaded the FNSKU label files?

• Have you downloaded the carton label files?

• Do the FNSKU labels meet size requirements? Typically at least 3.8×1.5cm

• Do you have at least two carton labels per box?

• Have the label files been sent to your supplier or forwarder?

Shipment information checks

• Have you confirmed the shipping quantity and carton count?

• Does the packing list match the shipment plan?

3. Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist – Stage 3: Packaging and Labeling

This is the most critical stage in 2026. After FBA prep services ended, all labeling and packaging must be done at origin.

FNSKU label checks

• Does every sellable unit have an FNSKU label?

• Are labels clear, flat, and scannable?

• Are labels placed away from box seams?

• Are labels free from tape covering?

• As of March 31, 2026, have non-brand-registered sellers switched to FNSKU labels? Manufacturer barcodes are no longer accepted

Carton label checks

• Does every carton have at least two FBA box labels?

• Are they placed on two opposite sides?

• Are they at least 10cm × 10cm?

Packaging compliance checks

• Is each carton under 22.7kg (US sites)?

• Is any side longer than 63.5cm?

• Do cartons over 15kg have “Team Lift” labels? One on top and one on each of the four sides, five in total

• Are the boxes sealed securely?

• Is “MADE IN CHINA” marked on the outer carton?

Pallet checks (if applicable)

• Are pallets the standard 48″×40″ size?

• Does the cargo overhang the pallet edge?

• Does the pallet height meet requirements?

4. Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist – Stage 4: Documents and Customs

This stage covers export customs and import clearance documents.

Export customs document checks

• Is the commercial invoice ready? It needs product descriptions, quantities, unit prices, total values, and trade terms

• Is the packing list ready? It needs dimensions, weights, and contents for each carton

• Has the customs declaration authorisation letter been signed?

• Do sensitive items have MSDS, UN38.3, or other certification documents?

Import clearance document checks

• Does the importer information match the legal entity registered with your Amazon FBA store?

• Has ISF filing (US) been arranged? It must be submitted 24 hours before vessel departure

• Has ENS filing (Europe) been arranged?

• Have EORI (Europe) / EIN (US) numbers been provided?

• Has the VAT number (Europe) been provided?

• Has the customs bond (US) been arranged?

DDP/DAP checks

• Has it been clearly decided whether to use DDP or DAP?

• If DDP, is the forwarder using its own IOR?

5. Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist – Stage 5: Shipping and Delivery

Transport arrangement checks

• Has the shipping method been confirmed? Ocean, air, express, or rail

• Has space been booked?

• Has the pickup time been confirmed?

Delivery appointment checks

• Has the forwarder booked the delivery appointment through Carrier Central?

• Does the appointment time match the expected arrival time?

• Has the Amazon FBA warehouse address been confirmed?

Tracking information checks

• Have you received the tracking number?

• Have you uploaded it to Seller Central?

• Has the forwarder confirmed end-to-end tracking?

Shipment confirmation checks

• Have you confirmed the shipment in Seller Central?

• Have you entered the carrier and tracking number?

6. Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist – Stage 6: After Delivery

Warehouse receiving tracking

• Has the shipment status moved from “In Transit” to “Delivered”?

• Has it moved from “Checked In” to “Receiving”?

• Does the received quantity match the shipment plan?

• Are there any discrepancies that need to be disputed?

Document archiving

• Are the commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading or air waybill archived?

• Are the customs documents archived?

• Is the tracking number archived?

• Is the proof of delivery (POD) saved?

7. Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist – Quick Reference Table

8. The 5 Most Commonly Forgotten Items on an Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist

1. “MADE IN CHINA” on outer cartons

Many sellers focus on FNSKU and carton labels but forget the country-of-origin mark. US customs requires all imported goods to be marked with their origin.

2. “Team Lift” labels for cartons over 15kg

US sites require cartons over 15kg to have “Team Lift” labels – one on top and one on each of the four sides. Many sellers only put one on the front.

3. Confirming shipment in Seller Central after shipping

After handing goods to the forwarder, sellers forget to confirm shipment in Seller Central, causing status issues. It takes a few minutes, but skipping it affects tracking.

4. Delivery appointments

Amazon FBA warehouses don’t accept unscheduled deliveries. The forwarder needs to book through Carrier Central in advance. If your forwarder doesn’t offer this, confirm who’s handling it early.

5. Uploading tracking numbers

SPD shipments need tracking numbers uploaded before the shipment reaches the Amazon FBA warehouse. Many sellers only remember after the goods arrive.

Choosing a logistics partner who offers FNSKU labeling coordination, packaging compliance checks, and Carrier Central appointment booking can help you complete many of the professional steps on your Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist. For example, AMZ Shipper focuses on cross-border logistics for Amazon sellers, offering support across origin labeling coordination, destination clearance, and last-mile delivery. But whoever you choose, the key is finding a team that knows Amazon FBA inbound rules and is willing to go through every item with you before shipping.

A good Amazon FBA Shipping Checklist isn’t about filling out more forms – it’s about confirming what needs to be confirmed and plugging the gaps before you ship. Walk through all six stages, from product compliance to document archiving, and your goods will have their problems solved at origin – instead of waiting until they reach the Amazon FBA warehouse door to find out the labels are wrong.