Amazon FBA Shipping Labels: Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about labeling products and shipments for Amazon Fulfillment by Amazon.

Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) requires specific labels on both individual products and shipping boxes. Getting labels wrong can lead to receiving delays, lost inventory, or extra fees. This guide covers every label type you need and how to print them correctly.

Types of Amazon FBA Labels

FBA uses three main label types:

FNSKU labels (product labels): A unique barcode that identifies your product and links it to your seller account. Every individual unit sent to FBA must have an FNSKU label covering the manufacturer barcode.
Box labels (FBA shipment labels): Applied to the outside of each shipping box. These tell Amazon which shipment the box belongs to and which fulfillment center should receive it.
Carrier shipping labels: The standard shipping label from UPS, FedEx, or your chosen carrier that gets the box to the Amazon warehouse.

How to Print FNSKU Labels

FNSKU labels are generated in Amazon Seller Central when you create a shipment. Here's the process:

Go to Seller Central → Inventory → Manage FBA Inventory
Select the products you want to send to FBA
Click “Send/Replenish Inventory”
In the shipment workflow, download the FNSKU labels as a PDF
Print on 30-up label sheets (1″ x 2-5/8″, Avery 5160) or use a thermal printer
Apply one FNSKU label to each unit, covering any existing barcodes

How to Print FBA Box Labels

After you finalize your shipment plan in Seller Central, Amazon generates box labels (also called FBA box ID labels). These are typically printed on 4x6 thermal labels or standard paper:

Each box in your shipment gets a unique box label
The label includes a scannable barcode and the destination fulfillment center
Place the label on a flat side of the box where it won't wrap over an edge
Do not place tape over the barcode — it can make it unscannable

Choosing a Carrier for FBA Shipments

Amazon partners with UPS for discounted FBA shipping rates through the Amazon Partnered Carrier program. You can also use your own carrier account. Here's how they compare:

Option	Carrier	Pros	Cons
Amazon Partnered	UPS	Deeply discounted rates, integrated tracking	Must use UPS, limited flexibility
Own UPS account	UPS	Use negotiated rates, flexible scheduling	May be pricier than partnered rates
Third-party carrier	FedEx / USPS / other	Compare rates, use existing accounts	No Amazon integration for tracking

FBA Labeling Best Practices

Use a thermal printer: A Rollo printer or similar 4x6 thermal printer makes box labels fast and smudge-proof.
Cover manufacturer barcodes: Amazon scans your FNSKU, not the manufacturer UPC. If the UPC is visible, Amazon may commingle your inventory with other sellers.
Label quality matters: Labels must be scannable. Use high-quality label stock and avoid printing on wrinkled or damaged labels.
Follow box weight limits: Standard-size boxes should not exceed 50 lbs. Overweight boxes incur fees.
Print extras: Print a few spare FNSKU labels per batch in case of mislabeling or damaged labels.

Common FBA Labeling Mistakes

Forgetting to cover the manufacturer barcode with the FNSKU label
Using the wrong label template (check Seller Central for the correct PDF)
Placing box labels over box seams where they can tear
Shipping to the wrong fulfillment center (always check your shipment plan)
Using low-quality labels that smudge or peel during transit

For more on Amazon shipping, visit our Amazon seller label tools. Need to ship heavy FBA boxes? Read our guide to shipping large packages.

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