Amazon announced in 2025 that it will officially end FBA prep and labeling services in the U.S. on January 1, 2026—a shift that will impact every seller, especially those shipping smaller, fast‑moving items like beauty products, electronics accessories, home & kitchen gadgets, toys, stationery, and craft supplies.
After that date, every unit you send must be fully prepped, packaged, and labeled according to Amazon’s exact requirements before arriving at their fulfillment centers. Missing labels, improper packaging, or skipped poly‑bags can lead to delays, rejections, or even non‑reimbursable inventory—costing you sales and damaging your account health.
That’s where Logos Logistics & Distribution comes in. We’re built for Amazon compliance, speed, and accuracy, helping sellers transition seamlessly before the deadline. From receiving and inspection to labeling, poly‑bagging, and shipment creation, we handle every detail so your products arrive FBA‑ready—on time, every time. Explore our full capabilities on our services page.
Why this is a big problem for sellers
Until now, many brands relied on Amazon’s internal team for basics like FNSKU/UPC labeling, poly‑bagging with suffocation warnings, bubble‑wrap for fragile goods, and “sold as set” prep. With those services going away, that work lands on you—often right before peak selling windows. For small‑item catalogs with lots of variants and bundle options, even minor errors can trigger delays at receiving, slow your check‑ins, and create stockouts that hurt your listings and Buy Box share.
Standing up an in‑house prep line sounds simple, but it takes space, labor planning, consumables, and process control. Many sellers discover the real cost later—when returns spike, fees accumulate, or inbound gets flagged. Choosing an experienced 3PL like Logos means you plug into proven SOPs, trained staff, and a scalable operation that flexes with promotions, launches, and Q4 demand.
Who is most affected?
- Small‑item brands needing labeling, protective packaging, and set prep.
Catalogs with accessories, small bottles, pouches, and kits typically require consistent bagging and labels. When specs vary by SKU, a disciplined prep flow prevents receiving holds and keeps inventory sellable the first time.
- Seasonal and drop‑based sellers that can’t afford check‑in delays.
Launch calendars and seasonal peaks compress timelines. If inbound is bounced for non‑compliance, you lose the window. Logos schedules receiving and preps against your dates so you can hit every release.
- Growing DTC brands wanting better packaging and brand control.
As you scale, unboxing, inserts, and kitting become core to retention. Our team integrates those brand touches while keeping shipments fully FBA‑compliant. See how we approach packaging and fulfillment on our services page.
How Logos Logistics keeps you moving
We’re a 3PL built for small, high‑growth brands. That means end‑to‑end processes tuned for speed, accuracy, and control—without sacrificing compliance.
- Full‑service fulfillment: storage, pick & pack, shipping, and returns.
Centralizing prep and fulfillment eliminates handoffs that slow you down. We receive, prep, and ship from one operation, reducing touches and cycle time. If you also sell DTC or FBM, we use the same inventory pool to speed orders.
- Small‑item expertise: labeling, poly‑bagging, “sold as set,” protective packaging.
We apply the right bag thickness, warnings, and set stickers, verify barcodes, and secure fragile items—so cartons pass receiving the first time. This lowers delays and hidden costs. Learn more about our prep standards on our services hub.
- Fast SLAs: many brands see up to 30% faster turnarounds.
Speed matters most before promotions and Q4. Our scheduling, labor planning, and pick/pack discipline help you launch on time and recover quickly when demand spikes.
- Lower total cost: about 15% savings vs. FBA + outside prep fees.
When prep and fulfillment are separate, you pay in dwell time, transportation, and rework. Consolidation with Logos trims those costs and gives you one accountable partner.
- Brand control: custom packaging and inserts for better unboxing and reviews.
We can add branded tissue, cards, and bundles without risking inbound compliance. That means higher review rates and repeat purchases while staying Amazon‑ready.
- Capacity: 3,000+ pallet positions and yard space for 25–30 containers.
More space = smoother peaks. We book receiving windows early and scale labor against your forecast so your inbound keeps moving.
- Multi‑channel ready: Amazon FBM, Shopify, TikTok Shop, and more.
Running FBA + FBM + DTC gives you resilience. If one channel slows, the others keep cash flowing. We integrate the stack and fulfill from the same stock to reduce outs.
What to do before January 1, 2026
- Audit your SKUs: confirm barcodes, sizes, and prep needs (bagging, tags, sets).
Pull a list of active and seasonal SKUs and validate each one’s barcode and prep category. Fix label mismatches now to protect your receiving times later. We can assist with a structured audit—start on our services page.
- Decide packaging rules: protective packaging, labels, inserts, and returns flow.
Document poly‑bag specs, warnings, bubble‑wrap rules, and “sold‑as‑set” labeling. Define how returns are inspected and re‑bagged. Clear rules reduce errors as volumes rise.
- Plan capacity: lock receiving windows and space for peak seasons (Prime events & Q4).
Share promo calendars early so we can align docks, labor, and putaway space. Good planning avoids congestion, especially when inbound container volumes climb.
- Enable channels: set up Amazon FBM alongside Shopify or other stores for flexibility.
FBM gives you a safety valve when FBA inbound slows. We configure service‑level promises and routing so you stay competitive on delivery time and cost.
- Choose a partner: line up a 3PL that can do small‑item prep and fast outbound.
Look for consistent SLAs, barcode QA, and multi‑channel capability. Logos brings all three—plus transparent communication and scale. Explore how we work at logosdistribution.com/services.
What sellers say
“We moved from FBA to Logos and cut costs by 20% while improving delivery speed. The branded packaging was a big win for us.” — Small‑Item Brand, California
FAQs
What should I do before Amazon ends FBA prep on January 1, 2026?
Audit SKUs and barcodes, define prep rules (poly‑bags with warnings, “sold‑as‑set” labels, bubble‑wrap), standardize bundles, and reserve inbound capacity. If you don’t want to run prep in‑house, partner with Logos to handle prep, labeling, and multi‑channel shipping so you keep selling through the deadline and beyond.
Can Logos handle FBA prep and FBM/DTC shipping so I don’t depend on Amazon?
Yes. We prep to Amazon’s standards for inbound FBA shipments and also ship FBM/DTC orders from the same inventory pool. That means faster launches, fewer stockouts, and flexibility across Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, and TikTok Shop—without duplicating stock.
How fast can I switch to Logos before the deadline?
Most brands can start in days once SKUs and routing are set. We recommend: (1) pilot batch to finalize specs, (2) migrate core SKUs + enable FBM, (3) schedule peak capacity. This phased approach protects cash flow and avoids downtime.
What small‑item prep does Logos handle?
- FNSKU/UPC labeling and barcode verification
- Poly‑bagging with warnings; bubble‑wrap for fragile goods
- “Sold‑as‑set” stickers; light kitting & bundling
- Carton QA and clear carton labels to speed receiving
Goal: first‑pass compliance and faster check‑ins.
Can I keep Prime‑competitive speeds if I rely less on FBA?
Many sellers run a hybrid model: keep high‑velocity SKUs in FBA and fulfill others via FBM with Logos. Our fast SLAs, smart routing, and consistent pick/pack times help you maintain competitive delivery windows while improving margins on long‑tail or bundled SKUs.
What’s the cost impact vs. FBA + third‑party prep?
Typical small‑item brands see about ~15% total savings by consolidating prep and fulfillment with Logos. You reduce handoffs, get faster SLAs, and avoid surprise charges tied to non‑compliant inbound shipments.
Does Logos process returns and restock small items quickly?
Yes. We follow your policy, inspect, re‑bag/re‑label if needed, and restock sellable units fast. Non‑sellable items follow your disposition rules (recycle, donate, liquidate). Quick returns handling improves reviews and protects margin.
Will Logos help me prepare for peak dates?
We plan capacity in advance—receiving windows, labor, and space—so you avoid bottlenecks during the busiest weeks. Talk to us early if you’re launching seasonal bundles or promotions.
Conclusion
Amazon’s decision to end FBA prep and labeling on January 1, 2026 shifts critical work to sellers—work that must be done right the first time. If you manage dozens or hundreds of small SKUs, the risk of slow check‑ins and inventory holds grows quickly. The safest path is a partner that lives in the details: barcode validation, correct bagging and warnings, accurate set stickers, and cartons that sail through receiving. That’s the foundation of predictable cash flow.
At Logos Logistics & Distribution, we pair compliant prep with fast, reliable fulfillment—FBA inbound, FBM, and DTC from the same inventory. You get one team, one process, and one accountable timeline. As you plan Q4 and new product drops, we’ll align receiving windows, labor, and storage so your launches stay on track. If you want a clearer, simpler operation, start by reviewing our services and outlining your next inbound. We’ll do the rest.
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