Skip to content
Marketplace Prep Specialists Only

The FBA prep center that gets your inventory checked in, not kicked back.

FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bundling, kitting and carton forwarding built to Amazon FBA, Walmart WFS, Target Plus and TikTok Shop requirements, across 25 U.S. markets.

  • Unit-level prep to each channel's current rules
  • Container-to-FC carton forwarding and splits
  • Photo-documented receiving and damage logs
Get My QuoteExplore services
25U.S. markets for prep and forwarding
4marketplace programs prepped to spec
24 hrcustom quote turnaround

Get your prep quote

Tell us about your volume. Get a custom quote within one business day.

We reply within one business day. No spam, ever.

Amazon FBAWalmart WFSTarget PlusTikTok ShopFNSKU LabelsPolybag & Suffocation WarningsBundles & SetsCarton ForwardingLTL & SPD SplitsExpiration DatingAmazon FBAWalmart WFSTarget PlusTikTok ShopFNSKU LabelsPolybag & Suffocation WarningsBundles & SetsCarton ForwardingLTL & SPD SplitsExpiration Dating
The problem

Prep errors are the most expensive mistakes you never see coming

Marketplace receiving docks do not negotiate. These are the failures we see when prep is treated as an afterthought.

ERR_001

Wrong barcode scanned

The manufacturer UPC was left exposed next to the FNSKU. The receiving scan picks the wrong one and units land under the wrong ASIN or in unfulfillable limbo.

ERR_002

Bag without a warning

A polybag with a 5-inch-plus opening and no suffocation warning. Units get prepped by the marketplace for a fee or flagged as noncompliant.

ERR_003

Set split apart

A three-pack shipped without a sold-as-set label gets separated at receiving. Now you have three stranded single units and an angry customer.

ERR_004

Overweight carton

A 58-lb carton packed with multiple units, past the standard 50-lb limit. Receiving delays, safety flags and possible refusal or repack fees.

ERR_005

Box contents mismatch

The box content info says 48 units, the carton holds 46. Discrepancy claims, reconciliation tickets and inventory you paid to ship but cannot sell.

ERR_006

Container sat for weeks

Inventory cleared customs but nobody could break it down, label it and split it to fulfillment centers fast. Your listings go out of stock while it waits.

Compare

Dedicated prep center vs. a generic 3PL

CapabilityGeneric 3PLPrep Center Co.
FNSKU and marketplace labelingDone when staff are available; often manualCore workflow, printed from shipment plans and scan-verified
Polybag and protective prepWhatever bags are on the shelfCorrect gauge, transparency and suffocation warnings per channel rules
Bundles, sets and multipacksCustom project with long lead timesStandard service with sold-as-set labeling and bundle FNSKUs
Carton forwarding from overseasStore first, ship laterReceive, inspect, relabel and split to FCs as a flow-through operation
Multi-marketplace prepAmazon-only or DTC-onlyAmazon FBA, Walmart WFS, Target Plus and TikTok Shop from one inventory pool
Receiving documentationCount on requestCarton counts, photos and damage notes logged on every inbound
Policy change awarenessLearns after a rejectionWork instructions updated as marketplace requirements change

FBA Prep Center vs. Generic 3PL: Which Should Prep Your Marketplace Inventory? U.S. Prep Center vs. Factory Prep: Where Should Your FBA Labeling Happen? Independent Prep Center vs. Amazon AWD: Where Should Your Reserve Inventory Live?

Why us

The Prep Center Co. Standard

Six habits that separate a dedicated prep center from a warehouse that does prep on the side.

Scan-verify every label

Labels are printed from your shipment plan and scan-checked against the SKU before the unit moves on. No hand-written mapping, no guessing.

Channel-specific prep

Amazon FBA, Walmart WFS, Target Plus and TikTok Shop each have their own label, packaging and carton rules. We prep to the destination, not a generic standard.

Photo-logged receiving

Inbound cartons are counted, photographed and checked for damage on arrival, so carrier and supplier claims have evidence behind them.

Rules tracked for you

Marketplace prep requirements change. We watch policy updates and adjust work instructions before your next shipment, not after a rejection.

Carton discipline

Carton weights, dimensions, box content data and carton labels are checked against marketplace limits before anything is sealed.

Clear prep pricing

Every prep step is a line item you can see in your quote. Transparent pricing, no surprise labor charges after the fact.

How it works

Live in weeks, not months

1

Scope your prep

Send your SKU list, channels and a sample shipment plan. We map every prep step per SKU and return a custom quote within 24 hours.

2

Ship inventory in

Route supplier, container or domestic shipments to the market closest to your source or customers. We receive, count and photograph on arrival.

3

Prep to channel spec

Units are labeled, bagged, bundled or kitted to each marketplace's requirements, then packed into compliant cartons or pallets.

4

Ship to the marketplace

Carton labels applied, box content confirmed and shipments released to your chosen carrier or the marketplace's partnered program.

See the full onboarding process →

Solutions

Built for every kind of fba prep brand

Private-Label Brands

Private-label brands need a prep center that catches factory mistakes before Amazon does. Prep Center Co. sits between your manufacturer...

Explore →

Wholesale & Arbitrage Sellers

Wholesale and arbitrage sellers send mixed, unpredictable inbound: supplier cases, retailer orders, single units and returns. Prep...

Explore →

Expiration-Dated Consumables

Expiration-dated products fail at receiving for reasons that have nothing to do with the product: unreadable dates, mixed lots in one...

Explore →

Fragile & Glass Products

Fragile products cost money twice when they break: once for the unit and again in negative reviews and returns. Prep Center Co. protects...

Explore →

TikTok Shop & Multichannel Sellers

Selling on several marketplaces means following several sets of prep rules from one inventory pool. Prep Center Co. holds your stock,...

Explore →
Guides

Resources for fba prep brands

How to Choose an FBA Prep Center: A Seller's Checklist

The right prep center is the one whose shipments check in clean; here is how to tell before you send a container.

Read guide →

FBA Prep Center Pricing Explained: What You Actually Pay For

Prep pricing is a stack of small line items, and understanding the stack is how you compare quotes honestly.

Read guide →

Amazon FBA Prep Requirements: A Practical Checklist

The prep rules that cause the most rejected and reworked shipments, organized so you can check every SKU before it ships.

Read guide →

FNSKU vs. Manufacturer Barcode: Which Should You Use?

The barcode you choose decides whether Amazon treats your inventory as yours alone or pools it with other sellers'.

Read guide →

Self-Prep vs. Prep Center: When to Outsource FBA Prep

Doing your own prep saves cash until the hours, errors and missed restocks cost more than a prep center would.

Read guide →

Walmart WFS vs. Amazon FBA Prep: Key Differences

Prepping for Walmart like it is Amazon is one of the fastest ways to get a WFS inbound held up.

Read guide →

All 12 guides 3PL readiness checklist Glossary Integrations

FAQ

FBA Prep fulfillment questions, answered

What is an FBA prep center?

An FBA prep center is a facility that receives your inventory, prepares each unit to Amazon's FBA packaging and labeling requirements, and ships it into Amazon fulfillment centers. Typical work includes FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bubble wrapping, bundling, set labeling and carton or pallet preparation. Prep Center Co. extends the same work to Walmart WFS, Target Plus and TikTok Shop.

Does Amazon still offer its own FBA prep service?

Amazon announced it would discontinue its in-house prep and item labeling services for the U.S. marketplace starting January 1, 2026, which means sellers are expected to send inventory already prepped and labeled. That shift is a major reason brands now use an independent prep center. Always confirm the current policy in Seller Central, since program details change.

Do I need FNSKU labels or can I use the manufacturer barcode?

You can use the manufacturer barcode only if your listing is eligible and you accept that your units may be commingled with identical units from other sellers. FNSKU labels keep your inventory tracked to your seller account, which protects you from counterfeit or damaged units from other sellers being shipped to your customers. Most brands and all resellers of easily counterfeited items should use FNSKU labels.

What are Amazon's polybag requirements?

Amazon requires polybags to be transparent, at least 1.5 mil thick, fully sealed, and scannable through the bag, and bags with an opening of 5 inches or more must carry a printed suffocation warning. The bag must not extend far beyond the product's dimensions, and the barcode must be on the outside or clearly readable through it. Prep Center Co. stocks compliant bags in common sizes.

Can you prep for Walmart WFS and TikTok Shop too?

Yes. Prep Center Co. prepares inventory for Walmart Fulfillment Services, Target Plus seller-fulfilled orders and TikTok Shop, in addition to Amazon FBA. Each program has different barcode, packaging, carton and appointment rules, so we keep separate work instructions per channel and can split a single inbound container across several marketplaces.

What is carton forwarding?

Carton forwarding is receiving master cartons, usually from an overseas factory or freight forwarder, and sending them on to marketplace fulfillment centers with little or no unit-level work. It often includes inspection, carton relabeling, box content verification and splitting a container across multiple destinations. It is the fastest path from port to sellable inventory.

How long does FBA prep take?

Turnaround depends on volume, prep complexity and how clean the inbound is, so we commit to a timeline in your quote rather than a blanket promise. Simple labeling moves faster than bundling or kitting, and accurate shipment plans plus advance notice of inbound arrivals shorten the cycle. Peak season and Prime event deadlines require earlier booking.

How much does an FBA prep service cost?

FBA prep pricing is usually per unit for each prep step, plus per-carton or per-pallet fees for receiving and outbound, and storage only if inventory stays beyond the prep window. Your cost depends on which steps each SKU needs. We provide transparent, line-item pricing and a custom quote within 24 hours.

Can you handle expiration-dated or fragile products?

Yes. We apply expiration date labels in the format the marketplace requires, keep lots separated, and route short-dated stock back to you instead of shipping it to be rejected. Fragile items such as glass, ceramics and cosmetics get bubble wrap, boxing or both, with drop-test-minded carton packing.

Do you handle lithium battery or hazmat products?

Products containing lithium batteries, aerosols or flammable liquids must clear the marketplace's dangerous goods review before shipping, and must be packed and marked under DOT rules. Hazmat-capable handling is available in select markets. Tell us about these SKUs when you request a quote so we can route them correctly.

Stop paying for prep mistakes

Send us your SKU list and channels. Get a line-item FBA prep quote within 24 hours.

Get My Quote