Amazon FBA Prep Requirements in Canada: The Complete Seller Guide
Amazon's FBA prep requirements are detailed, specific, and unforgiving. A single labeling error or incorrect poly bag size can result in a rejected shipment at an Amazon fulfillment center — triggering fees, delays, and potential account health issues. For Canadian sellers using FBA, understanding every prep requirement is the difference between smooth operations and expensive headaches.
This guide covers every major FBA prep requirement relevant to Canadian sellers, and how CanadiEx — as an Amazon SPN certified partner — handles all of them. For a broader comparison of FBA vs FBM strategies in Canada, see our Amazon FBA vs FBM Canada guide.
Why FBA Prep Is Complex for Canadian Sellers
Canadian sellers face an additional layer of complexity compared to US sellers:
Bilingual labeling requirements: Canada's Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act requires that many product labels include both English and French. Amazon.ca has specific requirements around bilingual labeling that differ from Amazon.com requirements.
Cross-border receiving: Inventory shipped from Canada to Amazon's US fulfillment centers crosses the border — requiring accurate customs documentation, correct HS codes, and commercial invoices that match the shipment exactly.
Seasonal restrictions: Amazon Canada applies seasonal fulfillment center restrictions for temperature-sensitive products that may not apply the same way at US centers.
FNSKU Labeling
Every unit entering an Amazon fulfillment center must be labeled with an FNSKU (Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit) — Amazon's internal barcode that ties the unit to your specific seller account and ASIN.
Key requirements:
- FNSKU label must be applied so it is scannable and covers any existing barcode on the product
- Label must be 1" x 2 5/8" or larger
- Label must be placed on the outermost level of packaging
- Do not apply FNSKU labels to expiry-date-sensitive products in a way that obscures the expiry date
CanadiEx prints and applies FNSKU labels as part of standard FBA prep. Labels are generated from Seller Central data and applied with barcode verification at each unit.
Poly Bagging Requirements
Amazon requires poly bagging for certain product categories to prevent damage during transit within their fulfillment network. Categories typically requiring poly bags include:
- Products with multiple loose components
- Soft lines (apparel, fabric items)
- Products that can be damaged by moisture or light dust
- Baby products in certain subcategories
- Products under 45 lbs that could be considered loose or unsafe without containment
Key poly bag requirements:
- Bag must be transparent
- Must have suffocation warning printed on the bag (required if bag opening is 5" or larger)
- Must be sealed — either heat sealed or with appropriate closure
- Must be sturdy enough to protect the product throughout Amazon's fulfillment process
CanadiEx applies poly bags to specification, including printing or affixing suffocation warning stickers to appropriate bags.
Set/Bundle Requirements
When you create product sets (e.g., "3-pack" bundles or "kit" offers), Amazon requires all items in the bundle to be clearly contained together:
- Items must be packaged together so they cannot be separated during fulfillment
- The bundle as a whole needs a single FNSKU label covering the entire set
- Each individual item inside the bundle should not have an individually scannable barcode visible (to prevent misscanning)
- "Do not separate" or "Sold as set" label required on the bundle packaging
CanadiEx handles bundle assembly and compliance labeling for set products.
Expiry Date Requirements
Amazon has strict requirements for products with expiration dates:
- Expiry date must be printed on the unit and the outer case in MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY format
- Products must have a remaining shelf life of at least 90 days upon arrival at the fulfillment center (specific categories have longer minimums)
- Products within 50 days of expiry may be disposed of by Amazon without compensation
CanadiEx inspects expiry dates at inbound receiving and flags any product that would fail Amazon's shelf life requirements before it's prepared for shipment to an FC.
Oversize and Heavy Item Requirements
Items over 18" x 14" x 8" or heavier than 20 lbs are classified as "oversize" by Amazon and have different prep requirements:
- Must have a "Team Lift" label if over 50 lbs (or "Mechanical Lift" if over 100 lbs)
- Bubble wrap or additional protection required for fragile oversize items
- Specific pallet requirements for very large items
Carton/Box Requirements for Shipments to Amazon FCs
Each carton shipped to an Amazon fulfillment center must:
- Weigh 50 lbs or less (single unit items up to 80 lbs with "Single item" label)
- Not exceed 25" on any side (unless single oversize unit)
- Have a shipment ID label on each carton (generated in Seller Central)
- Have the carton content clearly documented in the shipment plan in Seller Central
CanadiEx generates Amazon shipment plans, applies carton labels, and creates ASNs (Advance Shipment Notifications) in Seller Central for every FBA shipment.
How CanadiEx Handles All FBA Prep for Canadian Sellers
CanadiEx is an Amazon Service Provider Network (SPN) certified partner — meaning Amazon has reviewed and approved CanadiEx's FBA prep processes. This certification is the highest trust signal a Canadian 3PL can provide to Amazon sellers.
CanadiEx's FBA prep service covers every requirement above:
- FNSKU labeling with barcode verification
- Poly bagging (including suffocation warnings)
- Bundle assembly and set labeling
- Expiry date inspection and flagging
- Oversize labeling and protection
- Carton marking and shipment creation in Seller Central
- ASN submission
Canadian sellers work with CanadiEx's SPN-certified team to ensure every FBA shipment is fully compliant — eliminating the risk of Amazon FC rejection and the fees and delays that come with it.
FBA Prep Costs in Canada
Understanding FBA prep costs helps you evaluate whether to prep yourself or use a 3PL. Typical Canadian 3PL FBA prep pricing:
- FNSKU labeling: $0.10–$0.30 per unit
- Poly bagging: $0.25–$0.75 per unit (includes bag and application)
- Bundle/set assembly: $0.50–$1.50 per set depending on complexity
- Suffocation warning labels: Included in poly bag service at CanadiEx
- Expiry date inspection: $0.10–$0.20 per unit
- Oversize/heavy lift labeling: $0.15–$0.35 per unit
- Carton labeling and ASN submission: Typically included in 3PL receiving/shipment creation service
For most products, total FBA prep at CanadiEx runs $0.35–$1.25 per unit. For complex kits or multi-component bundles, the cost may be $1.50–$3.00 per unit.
The alternative — prepping FBA shipments yourself — involves buying poly bags, FNSKU labels, suffocation warning stickers, and carton labels, plus the labor cost. For most brands at moderate volumes, outsourcing FBA prep to CanadiEx is cost-effective once labor is factored in.
FBA Prep vs. FBM Fulfillment: A Canadian Perspective
Many Canadian sellers use a combination of FBA and FBM. FBA offers Prime badging and Amazon's delivery network; FBM gives you more control over inventory and avoids FBA storage fees. For a detailed comparison of both models, see our guide on Amazon FBA vs FBM Canada comparison.
CanadiEx supports both:
- FBA prep: Receive inventory at CanadiEx, prep to Amazon's specifications, ship to designated Amazon fulfillment centers
- FBM fulfillment: CanadiEx fulfills Amazon.ca orders directly to customers via Canada Post, Purolator, or other carriers
Many sellers maintain FBA inventory for their best-sellers (benefiting from Prime and Amazon delivery) and FBM fulfillment through CanadiEx for their broader catalog or slower-moving SKUs.
Amazon Replenishment Strategy for Canadian Sellers
Getting FBA replenishment timing right is critical. Common mistakes:
Over-sending inventory: Amazon charges long-term storage fees (quarterly) for inventory sitting in FCs for 181+ days. Over-sending ties up capital and generates ongoing storage costs.
Under-sending: Running out of FBA stock kills your Best Seller Rank and loses sales to competitors. Recovery can take weeks.
Optimal replenishment: Send 45–60 days of projected sales to Amazon FCs. Use CanadiEx as your primary Canadian inventory hub — maintain bulk stock at CanadiEx and replenish Amazon FCs regularly. This approach minimizes Amazon long-term storage fees while keeping FBA stocked.
CanadiEx can automate this process: when FBA stock for a given ASIN drops below your set threshold, CanadiEx generates the replenishment shipment automatically and ships to Amazon's designated FC. For guidance on how to list and sell effectively on Amazon.ca, see our how to sell on Amazon.ca guide.
FAQ: Amazon FBA Prep Requirements Canada
What happens if I send non-compliant inventory to an Amazon FC?
Amazon may refuse the shipment, require correction (at your expense), charge a non-compliance fee, or dispose of units. Systematic non-compliance can trigger account health warnings. An SPN-certified 3PL like CanadiEx eliminates this risk.
Do FNSKU labels need to cover existing barcodes?
Yes. The FNSKU must cover (or be placed near enough to mask) any other scannable barcode on the product. If a UPC or other barcode is visible alongside the FNSKU, Amazon's FC scanners may scan the wrong code, causing attribution errors.
Does CanadiEx handle Amazon FBA prep for both Amazon.ca and Amazon.com?
Yes. CanadiEx handles FBA prep for both Canadian (Amazon.ca) and US (Amazon.com) fulfillment centers. US-bound FBA inventory also requires export documentation and customs clearance — CanadiEx coordinates this.
What is an ASN and is it required?
An ASN (Advanced Shipment Notification) is a digital notice submitted in Seller Central before your FBA shipment arrives at an FC. It is required for all FBA shipments. CanadiEx submits ASNs on your behalf as part of the standard FBA prep service.
How long does FBA prep take at CanadiEx?
Standard FBA prep — labeling, poly bagging, carton marking, and shipment creation — typically takes 1–3 business days depending on volume and complexity. Rush prep for time-sensitive restocking is available.