TL;DR
To comply with Amazon FBA, any poly bag with an opening of 5 inches or wider must have a clearly visible suffocation warning.All poly bags used for FBA must also be at least 1.5 mil thick and completely sealed. They must be transparent, with the exception of adult products, which require opaque bagging. Furthermore, every bagged unit needs a scannable barcode that is either visible through the bag or affixed to the outside.
The Core FBA Suffocation Warning Requirement
Adhering to Amazon’s suffocation warning requirements is a non-negotiable step for FBA sellers. The primary rule is straightforward: any poly bag with an opening of 5 inches or more (when measured lying flat) must display a suffocation warning. This regulation is in place to prevent accidents and ensure safety, and failure to comply can result in your inventory being rejected or re-bagged at your expense. The warning can be printed directly on the bag or applied as a label in a prominent location.
Amazon specifies the exact text for the warning to ensure consistency and clarity. According to the official FBA guidelines, the warning must state: “WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic film away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cribs, bed, carriages, or play pens. This bag is not a toy.” This precise language must be used to meet compliance standards.
In addition to the specific text, Amazon mandates minimum font sizes for the warning, which are determined by the size of the bag. This ensures the warning is legible at a glance. The requirements are based on the total combined length and width of the bag:
| Total Length + Width of Bag | Minimum Print Size |
|---|---|
| 60 inches or more | 24 point |
| 40 to 59 inches | 18 point |
| 30 to 39 inches | 14 point |
| Less than 29 inches | 10 point |
Properly applying this warning is crucial. Whether printed or on a sticker, it must be placed in a prominent location where it is easily seen. The text should contrast with the bag’s color to ensure readability, preventing any ambiguity about the potential hazard.
Essential Poly Bag Specifications: Thickness, Clarity, and Sealing
Beyond the suffocation warning, the poly bag itself must meet several key specifications to be FBA compliant. These rules are designed to protect your products from dust, moisture, and damage during storage and shipping. Adhering to these material requirements ensures your inventory remains in sellable condition and moves through the fulfillment process without issue.
The core requirements for the bag’s physical properties are as follows:
- Bag Thickness: All poly bags must be at least 1.5 mil (a mil is a thousandth of an inch) thick. This minimum thickness provides necessary durability, preventing the bag from easily tearing or being punctured during handling in Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
- Bag Transparency: The bag must be transparent. This allows Amazon staff to view the product inside and, in many cases, scan the product’s original barcode directly through the plastic. The only exception is for adult products, which require opaque, black bagging.
- Sealing Requirements: Every bag must be completely sealed to protect its contents. This can be achieved with a self-adhesive strip or by using a heat sealer. The seal must be secure enough that the product cannot fall out.
- Sizing: The bag should fit the product properly. Amazon’s guidelines state that the poly bag or shrink wrap must not protrude more than three inches past the dimensions of the product.
Ensuring your poly bags meet these precise FBA requirements is critical, especially when sourcing products from overseas. Vetting suppliers and verifying material specifications before a large order can prevent costly rejections. For sellers sourcing from China, using a partner on the ground for quality control can be invaluable. Services that offer factory audits and pre-shipment inspections, like those provided by China Quality Inspection, ensure your packaging meets exact specifications before it ever leaves the factory.
Barcode and Labeling Rules for Poly-Bagged Products
Correctly labeling your poly-bagged items is just as important as the bag itself. Every unit sent to an FBA fulfillment center must have a single, scannable barcode. An incorrect or unscannable barcode is one of the most common reasons for receiving delays and unplanned prep fees. Amazon’s systems rely on these barcodes to identify and track your inventory accurately from check-in to final delivery.
Sellers have two primary options for ensuring a scannable barcode on a poly-bagged product. The choice depends on the product’s original packaging and the clarity of the bag.
- Scan Through the Bag: If your product has a manufacturer barcode (like a UPC or EAN) and the poly bag is sufficiently transparent, the barcode can be scanned directly through the bag. The bag must be smooth and free of wrinkles over the barcode area to ensure a successful scan.
- Apply an External FNSKU Label: If the product’s barcode cannot be reliably scanned through the bag, or if you are using Amazon’s FNSKU system to identify your products, you must affix the FNSKU label to the outside of the poly bag.
A critical rule to remember is the principle of a single scannable barcode. If you place an FNSKU label on the outside of the bag, you must completely cover any other visible barcodes on the product’s original packaging. This can be done by placing the FNSKU label directly over the old barcode or by using a blank white label to obscure it. This prevents the wrong barcode from being accidentally scanned, which can lead to inventory mix-ups and receiving errors.
When to Use Poly Bags for FBA: A Practical Decision Guide
Knowing when a poly bag is required is key to efficient and compliant FBA prep. While not every product needs bagging, certain categories have mandatory requirements to protect them from damage, dust, or separation within Amazon’s warehouses. Using poly bags correctly prevents prep issues and ensures your products reach customers in pristine condition.
Consider using a poly bag for products that fall into these common categories:
- Apparel, Fabric, and Plush Items: Any product made of cloth or fabric, such as clothing, textiles, or stuffed toys, must be bagged to protect it from dust, dirt, and moisture.
- Loose Items Sold as a Set: If you are selling multiple items as a single unit (a bundle or multipack), they must be contained within one package. A poly bag is an effective way to keep the set together. The bag should also be labeled with a “Sold as Set” or “Do Not Separate” sticker.
- Liquids and Powders: Products containing liquids, pellets, powders, or granular substances must be bagged to prevent spills and leaks that could damage other products. This is often in addition to other seals on the product’s cap.
- Small Products: Small items that could easily be lost or separated during receiving or storage should be placed in a poly bag to keep them contained and easy to handle.
- Jewelry: Items like necklaces, bracelets, or earrings should be bagged to prevent them from getting tangled or scratched.
Ultimately, the goal of poly bagging is to ensure product integrity. If your product’s packaging is not secure or has openings that could allow contents to spill, it’s a good candidate for bagging. A simple drop test can help: if the product or its packaging opens when dropped, it needs the additional security of a poly bag.
Adherence to FBA Standards Is Non-Negotiable
Mastering the suffocation warning and poly bag requirements for FBA is not just about following rules; it’s about protecting your business. Non-compliance can lead to costly prep fees, shipping delays, inventory rejection, and negative customer experiences. Each specification—from the 1.5 mil thickness to the precise font size of the warning label—is designed to streamline the fulfillment process and ensure safety.
By treating these packaging standards as an integral part of your operational workflow, you can avoid common pitfalls that hinder many sellers. Investing time in proper preparation ensures your products move smoothly through Amazon’s network, reach your customers in excellent condition, and help build a trustworthy brand reputation. Ultimately, adherence to these details is a direct investment in your FBA success.
Frequently Asked Questions About FBA Poly Bags
1. What are the requirements for a poly bag suffocation warning?
A suffocation warning is required on any poly bag with an opening of 5 inches or more. The warning must be printed on the bag or on a label in a legible font size appropriate for the bag’s dimensions. The text must state: “WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic film away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cribs, bed, carriages, or play pens. This bag is not a toy.”
2. What are the requirements for a polybag on Amazon?
Beyond the suffocation warning, an Amazon-compliant poly bag must be at least 1.5 mil thick and transparent. It must be completely sealed and should not extend more than three inches beyond the product’s dimensions. Additionally, each bagged unit must have a single, scannable barcode, either on the product (visible through the bag) or on the exterior of the bag.
3. Can I use Ziploc or resealable bags for FBA?
Yes, you can use resealable or zip-top bags as long as they meet all other FBA requirements. This means they must be at least 1.5 mil thick, be fully sealed, transparent, and have the appropriate suffocation warning and barcode. An unsealed bag, even if it has a zip closure, is not compliant.
4. What happens if I don’t follow Amazon’s poly bag rules?
Failure to comply with FBA poly bag requirements can have several negative consequences. Amazon may reject your inventory upon arrival at the fulfillment center, or they may perform an “unplanned prep service” by re-bagging your items and charging you a fee for each one. These issues can cause significant delays in making your inventory available for sale.
