Amazon FBA Pallet Requirements 2026
Complete compliance guide for FBA and Vendor Central: specs, stretch wrap, FC locations, and chargeback avoidance.
Complete compliance guide for FBA and Vendor Central: specs, stretch wrap, FC locations, and chargeback avoidance.
Amazon fulfillment centers process millions of shipments annually and operate some of the most automated inbound receiving systems in the world. Pallet non-compliance at Amazon is not just an inconvenience -- it can result in shipment refusal, inventory stranded at a third-party facility, and seller account restrictions. This guide covers Amazon FBA and Vendor Central pallet requirements in full, with specific guidance for sellers shipping from Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware.
Amazon publishes its pallet and packaging requirements in the Seller Central Help Center under "Shipping and routing requirements." The core specifications have been stable for several years but Amazon updates them periodically -- always check your shipment creation workflow for the most current requirements for your specific FC destination.
| Specification | Amazon FBA Requirement |
|---|---|
| Pallet size | 48x40 inches (GMA standard) |
| Pallet entry | 4-way entry required |
| Pallet condition | Grade A -- no broken boards, no damage |
| Max pallet weight | 1,500 lb per pallet (loaded) |
| Max pallet height | 72 inches (6 feet) including pallet deck |
| Overhang allowed | 3 inches max on each side |
| Stretch wrap | Required -- clear/transparent only |
| Wrap coverage | Base to top, minimum 4 passes |
| Colored/opaque stretch wrap | Not accepted |
| Black stretch wrap | Never accepted (blocks label scanning) |
| Pallet label placement | All 4 sides, upper left quadrant of each face |
| ISPM-15 (domestic shipments) | Not required |
| ISPM-15 (imported goods) | Required by USDA APHIS |
| Slip sheets | Not accepted (pallets required for LTL/FTL) |
Amazon's Kiva robotic system handles pallet movement at many FCs. Block pallets are preferred because they provide cleaner 4-way entry and more consistent jack points. If you ship frequently to Amazon, upgrading from stringer to block pallets reduces the risk of automated handling errors.
| Requirement | Seller Central FBA | Vendor Central (1P) |
|---|---|---|
| Pallet size | 48x40 GMA | 48x40 GMA (strict) |
| Pallet program | Owned pallets OK | CHEP or approved program at select DCs |
| TiHi requirements | Not published (seller set) | Mandatory -- buyer specifies Ti x Hi |
| Stretch wrap | Required, clear | Required, clear, specific gauge requirements |
| Label placement | 4-side, upper left | 4-side per Amazon Vendor Operations Manual |
| ASN requirement | Yes (Seller Central shipment plan) | Yes (EDI 856 ASN mandatory) |
| Chargeback for non-compliance | Unplanned service fee ($100-500) | Formal PO-based chargeback (3-5% of PO value typical) |
| Pallet condition minimum | Grade A practical minimum | Grade A required in vendor agreements |
| FC Code | Location | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCO1 | Gotha, FL (Orlando area) | Sortable FC | High volume; strict pallet inspection |
| MIA1 | Opa-locka, FL (Miami) | Sortable FC | Gateway for Latin America 3P imports |
| TPA1 | Ruskin, FL (Tampa) | Sortable FC | Grade A required; automated inbound |
| JAX2 | Jacksonville, FL | Non-Sortable FC | Oversized/heavy; block pallets recommended |
| ATL6 | Stonecrest, GA (Atlanta) | Sortable FC | High throughput; pallet rejections common |
| EWR4 | Robbinsville, NJ | Sortable FC | Port Newark proximity; high import volume |
| MDT2 | Carlisle, PA (near MD) | Non-Sortable FC | Serves MD/DE market |
| BWI2 | Windsor Mill, MD | Sortable FC | Serves MD, DC, Northern VA |
| PHL7 | Gloucester Township, NJ | Sortable FC | Primary NJ/DE fulfillment hub |
Stretch wrap is a hard requirement for all Amazon FBA pallet shipments. Getting it wrong is one of the most common causes of pallet rejection.
Start stretch wrap at the base of the pallet -- wrap around the pallet deck itself to anchor the load. Work upward with 50% overlap on each pass. Finish by folding over the top of the load and securing.
Amazon recommends at least 4 complete passes around the pallet. High-weight or irregular loads should use 6+ passes. Apply moderate tension -- enough to secure the load without crushing lightweight items.
Amazon's scanning systems read FBA labels and barcodes through the stretch wrap. Clear (transparent) 80-gauge stretch film is the standard choice. Never use colored, tinted, or black film on FBA pallets.
After wrapping, verify all 4 pallet labels are visible and scannable through the film. Reposition or cut wrap and reapply if any label is obscured. Amazon's FC associates will mark pallets unreadable if labels cannot be scanned on arrival.
If Amazon receives a shipment that does not comply with their requirements -- wrong pallet size, damaged pallets, missing labels, wrong stretch wrap -- they may assess an Unplanned Services fee ranging from $100 to $500 per affected shipment. Repeated violations can result in your shipping plan privileges being suspended. The cost of non-compliance far exceeds the incremental cost of Grade A pallets and proper stretch wrap.
Amazon FBA requires GMA 48x40 standard pallets for LTL and FTL shipments to fulfillment centers. Pallets must be 4-way entry, Grade A condition, and able to support loads up to 1,500 lb per pallet (Amazon's FBA inbound limit per pallet). Block pallets are preferred at many FCs due to better forklift compatibility with Amazon's Kiva robot infrastructure.
Amazon's official guidance requires pallets to be in 'good condition' -- no broken boards, no missing deckboards, and structurally sound. High-grade recycled GMA pallets (Grade A) that meet these criteria are generally accepted. However, Amazon reserves the right to refuse pallets at receiving, and Grade B or below is a significant rejection risk. New or Grade A recycled pallets are the safe choice.
Amazon will not unload pallets that fail their receiving inspection. Your shipment will be marked as 'undeliverable' in Seller Central and you will be responsible for return freight at your expense. Amazon charges a $100-500 unplanned service fee per affected shipment in some cases. Consistent pallet rejections can result in your inbound shipping plan being flagged and your ability to create new inbound shipments being restricted.
Yes. Amazon requires pallets to be stretch-wrapped with transparent (clear) stretch film. Wrap should start at the pallet base and extend over the top of the load. Minimum 4 passes recommended. Colored or opaque stretch wrap is not acceptable because Amazon's scan systems require line-of-sight to labels. Black stretch wrap is never acceptable for FBA inbound shipments.
Yes. Amazon Vendor Central (1P wholesale) shipments follow Amazon's Vendor Operations Manual, which has stricter specifications including mandatory CHEP or equivalent pallet programs at some DCs, specific label placement rules, and TiHi requirements. Seller Central FBA is more flexible but still requires GMA 48x40, Grade A condition, and compliant stretch wrapping. When in doubt, new GMA pallets with professional stretch wrap meet both standards.
Grade A GMA 48x40 for Amazon fulfillment centers. Same-day delivery available.
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