Amazon FBA box labels are different from the shipping labels you stick on customer parcels, they identify inbound boxes to Amazon's fulfilment centres, and they have specific content and size requirements. Getting them wrong means delays or rejection at the fulfilment centre, so the format is worth understanding before you send inventory.
What an FBA box label contains
An FBA box label carries the shipment ID, the destination fulfilment centre, a scannable barcode and a box count identifier like '1 of 5'. Amazon generates it when you create a shipment plan, and it's what tells Amazon's receiving teams exactly which shipment and box they're handling.
The required label size
Amazon specifies a minimum label size for FBA box labels, and the standard A4 or 100 × 150mm formats are both commonly used depending on the box. The critical requirement is that the barcode prints at full size and is scannable, because Amazon's inbound scanning runs on it.
Barcode quality is non-negotiable
The barcode is the whole point of the label, and Amazon rejects boxes with smudged, creased or low-contrast barcodes. Print on a clean surface, attach flat without wrinkles, and avoid placing the label over box seams or tape, all of which cause the scan failures our barcode guide describes.
Printing FBA box labels on a thermal printer
For high-volume FBA senders, a 4x6 thermal printer handles the smaller box labels cleanly and cheaply, while larger boxes may need A4 laser labels. Many sellers use thermal for the box ID labels and reserve A4 for the larger shipment documentation, depending on what the specific shipment plan generates.
FNSKU product labels are separate
Don't confuse box labels with FNSKU product labels, which go on each individual unit and carry a different barcode. Our FBA labelling guide covers the full set of labels an inbound shipment needs, from product to box to pallet.
Common rejection reasons
Boxes get rejected at the fulfilment centre most often for unreadable barcodes, missing labels, or labels placed over seams where they crease. The fixes are all cheap: print at full size, attach flat on a clean panel, and avoid edges and tape.
The dispatch workflow
Once every box is labelled and the shipment is confirmed, the carrier collects the pallet or boxes using their own shipping label on top of the FBA box labels. Keeping the two label types straight, and printing each clearly, is what makes an inbound shipment go through without a hitch.
Frequently asked questions
What size must an FBA box label be? Amazon specifies a minimum label size and requires the barcode to print at full size and scan cleanly, with 100 × 150mm and A4 both used depending on the box.
Is an FBA box label the same as a shipping label? No. The FBA box label identifies the box to Amazon's fulfilment centre, while the carrier's shipping label is applied on top for transport.
Why are my FBA boxes being rejected? The most common reasons are unreadable barcodes, missing labels, or labels placed over seams where they crease, all of which are cheap to prevent.
Labels that pass Amazon's inbound scan
Print crisp 100 × 150mm direct thermal labels so every FBA barcode scans first time at the fulfilment centre.
Shop 4×6 Labels