Selling on Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) can be incredibly rewarding but it all begins with one crucial process: creating and sending your FBA shipment plan. Without correctly preparing your inventory and sending it to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, you won’t be able to leverage Amazon’s vast logistics network to deliver products to customers.

In this detailed guide, we’ll break down how to create and send a shipment plan step-by-step, covering everything from preparing your inventory, labeling, and packaging to submitting your plan inside Seller Central. Whether you’re a first-time seller or looking to refine your process, this guide will help you ship to Amazon efficiently and avoid costly mistakes.

Why a Shipment Plan Matters in Amazon FBA

Before diving into the step-by-step tutorial, let’s clarify what a shipment plan is.

A shipment plan is essentially the blueprint Amazon requires before you send inventory to its warehouses. It includes:

• The products (SKUs and ASINs) you’re sending

• The quantity of each product

• The specific Amazon fulfillment centers you’ll ship to

• Labeling and packaging instructions

Amazon uses this information to distribute your products across its network, ensuring faster delivery for Prime customers. A well-executed plan ensures:

• Faster check-in at fulfillment centers

• Lower risk of inventory being stranded or delayed

• Accurate inventory tracking

• Eligibility for Prime and Buy Box advantages

Step 1: Prepare Your Inventory

The first step in creating an Amazon FBA shipment plan is to prepare your inventory correctly.

A. Confirm FBA-Eligible Products

Not all products are allowed in FBA. Check Amazon’s restricted products list and ensure your items comply with regulations. For supplements, cosmetics, or electronics, verify requirements like FDA compliance, battery certifications, or hazmat clearance.

B. Check Product Condition

Amazon only accepts new items (unless you’re in specific categories like Books or Collectibles). Damaged or used items will be rejected, potentially costing you restocking fees.

C. Decide Quantities

Determine how many units you’ll ship. This should align with your sales velocity and Amazon’s restock limits/Inventory Performance Index (IPI) score. Sending too much inventory can lead to excess storage fees, while too little can cause stockouts.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Helium 10, Jungle Scout, or Seller Central’s inventory reports to calculate optimal shipment quantities.

Step 2: Log in to Seller Central

Head to Amazon Seller Central. Navigate to:

• Inventory > Manage FBA Shipments

• Click Send to Amazon

This opens the shipment workflow where you’ll create your shipment plan.

Step 3: Select Products for Shipment

Now, select the products you want to send.

1. Go to Manage All Inventory.

2. Tick the boxes next to the SKUs you want to include.

3. From the Action on Selected menu, click Send/Replenish Inventory.

Amazon will now guide you into the shipment creation tool.

Step 4: Choose Your Packing Type

Amazon will ask how your products are packed:

1. Individual Products – Each unit is a unique item with different SKUs, UPCs, or conditions. Example: A box with 20 different SKUs.

2. Case-Packed Products – All units inside a case are identical. Example: 50 units of the same SKU in one master carton.

Choosing the correct option ensures Amazon processes your inventory accurately.

Step 5: Enter the Ship-From Address

Enter the address of the location you’re shipping from. This can be:

• Your warehouse

• A 3PL (third-party logistics provider)

• Your own office/home (for small sellers)

Amazon uses this address to determine which fulfillment centers will receive your products.

Step 6: Prepare and Label Products

Amazon has strict labeling and preparation requirements to avoid delays or rejections.

A. Labeling

Every unit needs a scannable barcode (FNSKU, UPC, or EAN).

• Amazon Barcode (FNSKU): Unique to your product in Amazon’s catalog.

• Manufacturer Barcode (UPC/EAN): Sometimes allowed if enrolled in commingled inventory.

You can print FNSKU labels directly from Seller Central or use Amazon’s FBA Label Service (small fee per unit).

B. Packaging Rules

• Each unit must be in secure packaging (polybags, bubble wrap, boxes).

• Units must have scannable barcodes visible.

• Liquids need leak-proof sealing.

• Fragile items need bubble wrap + “fragile” label.

Pro Tip: Always check Amazon’s Prep and Packaging Requirements for your category.

Step 7: Set Quantity to Ship

Enter the number of units you’re sending for each SKU. Double-check this against your physical inventory to avoid mismatches.

Amazon may split your inventory across multiple warehouses. While this can feel frustrating, it’s designed to improve customer delivery speed. You can use Inventory Placement Service (IPS) to ship to one warehouse, but it comes with additional fees.

Step 8: Review and Confirm Shipments

At this stage, Amazon will:

• Assign fulfillment centers for each SKU

• Split your shipment if necessary

• Provide packing instructions

Review the details carefully before proceeding. Errors here can lead to inventory stranded at incorrect warehouses.

Step 9: Print Labels

Amazon requires two types of labels:

1. Product Labels (FNSKU): One per unit

2. Box Labels (Shipment ID Label): One per carton, generated in the final step

Make sure labels are clear, scannable, and placed on flat surfaces. Avoid edges or seams.

Step 10: Prepare Boxes & Pallets

A. Carton Packing

• Max weight per carton: 50 lbs (22.6 kg) unless a single unit exceeds this.

• Dimensions should be within 25” on any side.

B. Pallet Requirements

• Standard pallet size: 40” x 48”.

• Max height: 72” (including pallet).

• Shrink-wrap pallets tightly and apply labels to all four sides.

Step 11: Select Carrier and Shipping Method

Amazon partners with discounted carriers for FBA shipments.

• Small Parcel Delivery (SPD): For shipping individual boxes via UPS, FedEx, or DHL.

• Less than Truckload (LTL) / Full Truckload (FTL): For palletized freight shipments.

If you use Amazon Partnered Carrier, you’ll enjoy lower rates and simplified tracking. Enter box dimensions, weights, and carrier details here.

Step 12: Print and Attach Shipment Labels

Once your shipping method is confirmed:

• Print box labels (provided by Amazon).

• Affix one label per carton, covering old barcodes.

• For pallets, attach labels on all four sides.

This ensures Amazon can receive your shipment without delays.

Step 13: Ship Inventory to Amazon

Now it’s time to hand over your shipment to the carrier.

• For SPD (UPS/FedEx): Drop off cartons or schedule a pickup.

• For LTL/FTL: Coordinate with the freight carrier and provide Amazon’s delivery appointment system (CARP) details.

Keep your tracking IDs safe and upload them into Seller Central.

Step 14: Track and Monitor Shipment Status

Inside Seller Central:

1. Navigate to Manage FBA Shipments.

2. Find your shipment plan ID.

3. Track progress: “Shipped → In Transit → Delivered → Checked-In → Receiving → Closed.”

Amazon may take a few days to check in inventory. During Q4, this may stretch longer due to high volume.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Shipment Plans

• Incorrect labeling – Using UPC instead of FNSKU when required.

• Overweight cartons – Exceeding 50 lbs can result in rejection.

• Ignoring hazmat rules – Shipping restricted products without clearance.

• Mismatched quantities – Declaring 100 units but sending 90.

• Poor packaging – Products arriving damaged, leading to negative reviews.

Avoiding these mistakes saves you time, money, and account health headaches.

Best Practices for Smooth FBA Shipments

• Plan ahead: Factor in Amazon check-in delays, especially during Q4.

• Use 3PLs strategically: Many sellers ship bulk inventory to a 3PL, then drip-feed to Amazon.

• Monitor restock limits: Stay within IPI thresholds to avoid restrictions.

• Audit shipments: Always verify weight, dimensions, and counts before booking carriers.

• Document everything: Keep records of invoices, BOLs, and shipment IDs.

Final Thoughts

Creating and sending an Amazon FBA shipment plan might feel overwhelming at first, but once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes a repeatable process. Following the step-by-step approach outlined above ensures that your products reach Amazon fulfillment centers smoothly, without costly mistakes or delays.

Remember: the quality of your shipment preparation directly affects customer satisfaction and sales performance. When your inventory arrives quickly, safely, and in compliance, Amazon rewards you with faster processing, fewer issues, and better Buy Box visibility.

If you’re serious about growing your FBA business, mastering the shipment plan process is non-negotiable. Treat it as a system, refine it over time, and your logistics will become a competitive advantage.