What packaging details matter when underwear goes to Amazon FBA?

Short answer: Amazon publishes prep requirements, and underwear is usually prepared as a poly-bagged textile unit. According to Amazon's guide, poly bags must be transparent, at least 1.5 mil thick, completely sealed and no more than 3 inches larger than the product, and bags with an opening of 5 inches or more need a suffocation warning printed on the bag or attached as a label. The barcode must be scannable without opening the bag, either through it or on a label outside. Multi-packs must be sealed so they cannot be separated and marked as a set. Give the factory these rules in writing, approve a packed sample and check a few units before shipping. Amazon updates its requirements, so check the current Seller Central guidance before each new style.

Unit packaging checklist

• Transparent bag, at least 1.5 mil thick.
• Completely sealed with an adhesive strip or heat seal.
• Bag no more than 3 inches beyond the product.
• Suffocation warning on bags with an opening of 5 inches or more, in a prominent place and legible size.
• One scannable barcode per unit; cover or remove other scannable codes that could confuse scanning.

Barcodes

Use either the manufacturer barcode, if Amazon accepts it for your listing, or the Amazon product label. Each size and colour needs its own identifier. GS1 guidance is that every size and colour combination of a product needs a separate GTIN.

Multi-packs

A pack of three must be sealed as one unit with a clear "sold as set" or similar marking, so warehouse staff do not split it and scan the individual pieces.

Cartons

Cartons need shipment labels and must meet Amazon's weight and size limits. Do not mix sizes in a carton unless your shipment plan allows it. Ask the factory to pack to the plan, not by habit.

Common mistakes

• Thin or non-transparent bags.
• Missing suffocation warning.
• Inner pieces with their own scannable barcodes visible.
• Wrong label on the wrong size.

Planning with the factory

Prep errors are cheapest to prevent at the factory. Before bulk packing, send the factory a one-page prep sheet with bag size per garment size, the warning text, label position and the set marking, plus a photo of an approved packed unit. Ask the factory to pack the first carton and send photos and a scan test video. Fixing the bag or label at this point costs little; relabelling or re-bagging at a warehouse costs far more and delays stock arriving for sale.

Limits

This summary is based on Amazon's published prep guide. Requirements differ between marketplaces and change, so check the current version.

Facts, recommendations and uncertainty

Established: Amazon's prep guide sets bag thickness, transparency, sealing, warning and barcode rules. Recommendation: give the factory written prep rules and inspect packed units. Uncertain: future changes and marketplace-specific requirements.

Sources and further reading

• Amazon — Packaging and Shipping Inventory to Amazon (FBA prep guide)
• GS1 — How many GTINs for a product with many sizes and colours

Standards and regulations are referenced by their published scope. Test parameters, cycles and pass levels should be agreed with your laboratory for the specific product; legal requirements should be confirmed for each destination market.