Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) only works when your stock reaches Amazon’s warehouses complete and on time. The inbound process, sending stock to Amazon, is where many avoidable problems start: labels in the wrong place, box contents that do not match, shipments split across several warehouses and units that are never received.
Step 1: create the shipment in Send to Amazon
Shipments are created in Seller Central through the Send to Amazon workflow.
- Choose the inventory to send and the quantities.
- Enter packing information: whether each box holds one product (case-packed) or mixed products, and the box dimensions and weights.
- Confirm the placement: Amazon tells you which fulfilment centre or centres the boxes go to.
- Choose the shipping method: small parcel or pallet, with Amazon’s partnered carrier where available, or your own.
- Print the labels: product labels if your products need them, and a box label for every box.
Step 2: prepare and label correctly
- Each box needs its own box label, placed so it is not on a seam or a corner.
- Products that need a barcode label must have it covering any other barcode.
- Follow the prep requirements for your category, for example polybags or bubble wrap.
- Make sure the box contents match exactly what you entered. Mismatches are one of the most common reasons for receiving problems.
Step 3: track the shipment status
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Working | The shipment is created but not yet marked as shipped |
| Shipped / In transit | The carrier has it |
| Delivered | The carrier has delivered it to the fulfilment centre |
| Checked in | The fulfilment centre has registered its arrival |
| Receiving | Amazon is scanning units into stock; some are already available for sale |
| Closed | Receiving is finished |
Delivered does not mean sellable. The time between delivery and fully received varies by warehouse and season, so plan replenishment with that delay included.
Step 4: check what was received
Once a shipment is closed, compare the received quantity with what you sent. If units are missing:
- Check whether units were received into a different shipment or as a different product.
- Use the reconciliation options on the shipment page.
- Provide evidence: packing list, invoice and the carrier’s proof of delivery with box count and weight.
- Follow up until the case is resolved, and note the outcome for your records.
Missing units, damaged stock and returns that never came back are among the most common sources of FBA reimbursements. Checking them every week is part of good account management.
Common inbound mistakes
- Sending more stock than your capacity limits allow, so shipments cannot be created.
- Reusing old box labels or printing labels for the wrong shipment.
- Shipping too late before a seasonal peak, when receiving is slowest.
- Not planning for shipments split across several fulfilment centres.
Shipping to Amazon in Europe
In Europe the same workflow applies, with one extra decision: which countries hold your stock. Our guide to Pan-European FBA and its alternatives explains the options. If you would rather hand the whole process over, see our FBA management service.