What Is an FBA Prep Center?
A simple, beginner-friendly explanation of what prep centers do and when sellers need one.
An FBA prep center is a third-party service provider that helps ecommerce sellers prepare inventory before it is sent to Amazon FBA or another fulfillment destination.
Prep centers commonly receive inventory from suppliers, inspect products, apply labels, package items, bundle products, store inventory, and forward shipments to fulfillment centers.
Sellers use prep centers when they do not want to handle inventory themselves, when products need marketplace-compliant prep, or when suppliers cannot prepare items correctly before shipping.
When sellers use a prep center
- Products need FNSKU labels
- Items need poly bags or packaging
- Supplier ships inventory directly
- Seller wants product inspection
- Inventory must be bundled or kitted
- Seller does not have warehouse space
- FBA shipment needs carton labels or pallet prep
This can be especially useful when a seller does not have warehouse space, lives far from suppliers, imports products from overseas, or wants a provider to handle operational details.
Best for sellers who
- Source products from wholesalers or manufacturers
- Need labels or packaging applied
- Want inventory inspected before FBA
- Need help managing multiple shipment destinations
- Want to avoid handling inventory at home
- Need short-term storage or staging
More in Seller Guides
Who Preps Your FBA Inventory Now That Amazon Stopped?
Amazon wound down the in-house prep and labeling help it offered US FBA sellers. Here's what changed, your options for getting inventory prepped, and how to choose a third-party prep center.
Multi-Channel Prep: Amazon FBA, Walmart WFS, and TikTok Shop
Use one prep partner across Amazon FBA, Walmart WFS, TikTok Shop, and your own DTC store - and why that's an edge Amazon's own network can't match.
How to Choose the Right Prep Center
Choosing a prep center is not only about price - match shipment type, service needs, location, communication, and marketplace destination.
Need a prep center now?
Post one request and connect with prep partners that match your shipment needs, services, and destination.