Prep guidance
This article applies to selling in: United States

Prep guidance

Category Product description Examples Prep guidance
Adult Displays potentially offensive material such as profanity or nudity Products that contain pictures of live, nude models, packaging that has obscene or profane messaging
  • Place product in a black or opaque bag.
  • Bag must have a suffocation warning.
  • Bag must be secured if not self-adhesive.
  • Barcode must be scannable.
Apparel on hanger Made of cloth or fabric and intended to be put on a hanger Scarves, shirts, jackets
  • Remove hanger, and then place product in a transparent poly bag to protect from damage or dust.
  • Products can also be shrink-wrapped.
  • Bag must have a suffocation warning.
  • Bag must be secured if not self-adhesive.
  • Barcode must be scannable.
Apparel, fabric, plush, and textiles Made of cloth or fabric that could be damaged by dirt, dust, moisture, or liquid Shirts, bags, belts, plush toys such as teddy bears
  • Place product in a transparent poly bag to protect from damage or dust.
  • Products can also be shrink-wrapped.
  • Bag must have a suffocation warning.
  • Bag must be secured if not self-adhesive.
  • Barcode must be scannable.
Baby Made for a child aged three years or younger, packaging with cutouts greater than one square inch Teething rings, bibs, exposed toys
  • Place product in a transparent poly bag.
  • Bag must have a suffocation warning.
  • Bag must be secured if not self-adhesive.
  • Barcode must be scannable.
Fragile, glass Glass or otherwise fragile, or a liquid in a glass container Glass, china, picture frames, clocks, mirrors, bottles of olive oil
  • Place product in bubble wrap or a bubble bag to prevent damage. Products can also be placed in a protective overbox.
  • Product bag or box must be secured or taped.
  • Product can pass a drop test on a hard surface without breaking.
  • Barcode must be scannable.
Liquids (non-glass) Liquid or viscous without a double seal Soap, spray bottles, lotion, honey
  • Place product in a transparent poly bag to protect from leakage.
  • Bag must have a suffocation warning.
  • Bag must be secured if not self-adhesive.
  • Barcode must be scannable.
Perforated packaging In packaging that has a perforated opening Chocolate boxes, candy display boxes
  • Seal product in a transparent poly bag. The poly bag must include a suffocation warning.
  • Barcode must be scannable without having to open or unwrap the unit.

Powder, pellets, and granular

Made of powder, pellets, or granular material Facial powder, sugar, powdered detergents
  • Seal product in a transparent poly bag. The poly bag must include a suffocation warning.
  • Barcode must be scannable without having to open or unwrap the unit.
Sharp Sharp units are objects with an edge or point that are able to cut or pierce packaging material or human skin Knives, blades, shears, scissors, cutters, saw blades, barbed wire, hardware nails, axe/mattock, steel wire, graters, peelers, slicers, scalpels, swords, tools
  • No additional prep required. Instead, follow the guidelines on Packaging sharp units.
  • Barcode must be scannable.
Small Longest side less than 2 1/8 inches (width of a credit card) Jewelry, keychains, flash drives
  • Place product in a transparent poly bag.
  • Bag must have a suffocation warning.
  • Bag must be secured if not self-adhesive.
  • Barcode must be scannable.
Sold as set Multiple items that are sold as one unit Bundled items, Multi-packs, Toy sets, Case of bottled drinks
  • Add a label to the unit that clearly states that the products are to be received and sold as a single unit. For example, "Sold as set," "Ready to ship," or "This is a set. Do not separate."
  • Provide a unique ASIN for the set if the individual units in the set already have an ASIN.
  • The barcodes on the individual units must not face outward or the barcodes must be covered.
  • The set's barcode must be scannable.
No prep needed Does not require prep Books, DVDs, video games Units might still require labeling
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