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⚠️ FBA Compliance Guide

Why Amazon FBA Shipments Get Rejected

Every year, thousands of FBA sellers pay unnecessary manual processing fees or suffer delayed inventory because of avoidable label errors. This guide covers every common rejection cause — and exactly how to fix each one before your next shipment.

Updated for 2026 standards Fix it before you ship
Top Causes

The 6 Most Common FBA Rejection Causes

HIGH RISK

Wrong Print Scale

Printing at "Fit to Page" or any scale other than 100% Actual Size shrinks the barcode's bar width. Amazon scanners have minimum bar width requirements — even 95% scale can cause systematic scan failures across an entire shipment.

Fix: Always print at exactly 100% / Actual Size. Verify in your print dialog before every job. See our print guide.
HIGH RISK

Low DPI / Print Quality

Labels printed below 300 DPI produce blurry or jagged barcode bars that scanners can't reliably read. Inkjet printers using generic paper are the most common offenders — the ink bleeds slightly and reduces contrast.

Fix: Use a thermal printer set to 203+ DPI, or inkjet at 300 DPI minimum on plain white label stock with no dithering.
MEDIUM RISK

Visible Manufacturer Barcode

If the original UPC or EAN barcode on the product packaging is still visible after labelling, Amazon scanners may read both and flag the item as improperly labelled. This is especially common with small items where the FNSKU label doesn't fully cover the original code.

Fix: Use an opaque label large enough to completely cover the original barcode. Alternatively, use a sharpie to black out the original — just don't cover your FNSKU.
MEDIUM RISK

Label Placement Errors

Labels applied over seams, edges, or on curved surfaces cause the barcode to distort when the label peels or buckles at corners. Shiny packing tape over the top of a label creates glare that blocks scanner infrared light — a surprisingly common cause of scan failures.

Fix: Apply only on flat, clean, dry surfaces. Never place on corners or seams. Never cover with gloss tape.
MEDIUM RISK

Insufficient Quiet Zone

The quiet zone is the blank white border surrounding a barcode. Amazon requires a minimum of 2.5mm (1/10 inch) on all sides of FNSKU labels. If other print elements — product descriptions, logos, or other barcodes — are too close, the scanner misreads the barcode boundaries.

Fix: Use our barcode generator which includes the proper quiet zone in all SVG/PNG exports. See our size guide for exact margins.
NEW IN 2024

Missing 2D Box Content Label

Amazon now requires PDF417 2D box content labels on most inbound FBA shipments. Missing or incorrect box labels result in manual checking at the fulfilment centre, which triggers processing fees (typically £0.15–£0.20 per unit in the UK) and delays of 2–5 additional business days.

Fix: Use our free 2D Box Content Builder to generate PDF417 labels at the correct 100×50mm size, 300 DPI, ready to print.

Quick test: Open your phone camera and point it at the printed barcode from 30cm away. If your phone can’t read it instantly, Amazon’s scanner won’t either. Re-print at higher DPI or check your quiet zones.

Pre-Shipment Checklist

The 5-Minute Check Before You Seal the Box

Run through this every time before a shipment leaves your warehouse. It catches 90% of rejection causes before they become expensive problems at the fulfilment centre.

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FNSKU barcode is the only visible barcode on the item. All manufacturer UPCs/EANs are fully covered by an opaque label.
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Label is printed at 100% / Actual Size. Checked in print dialog. No "Fit to Page" or scaling applied.
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Barcode scans correctly with a scanning app. Tested on at least 3 labels per new batch, on at least one freshly printed label.
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Label is on a flat surface, not over seams or corners. No packing tape over the barcode area.
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2D box content label is on the side of each carton. Not the top or bottom. PDF417 format, 100×50mm minimum.
FAQ

Shipment Rejection — Common Questions

Amazon will flag the shipment in Seller Central under "Shipping Queue" with a problem status. You'll receive a notification. Depending on the issue, they may quarantine the inventory, apply a manual processing fee, or send it back at your cost. Acting fast on the rejection notice reduces the chance of additional charges.

Manual processing fees vary by marketplace and issue type. In the UK, they typically range from £0.15–£0.20 per unit for labelling problems. In the US, it can be $0.15–$0.30 per unit. For large shipments this adds up quickly — 500 units with a labelling issue could cost £75–£100 in fees alone, before counting the time delay.

Yes, in most cases. Amazon will give you a window (usually 60–90 days depending on the issue) to rectify the problem. If the items are at the FC, you may need to request a removal order, re-label, and create a new shipment. For future shipments, use our barcode generator and run a pre-shipment audit before sealing the boxes.

Yes — as of 2024, Amazon requires a 2D box content label on every carton in an inbound FBA shipment, unless your shipment is a single box. The label contains the Shipment ID, item FNSKUs, and quantities. Use our free 2D Box Content Builder to generate compliant labels.

Source: Amazon Seller Central — Shipping and routing requirements. Shipments that do not meet labelling requirements may be refused, returned, or repackaged at the seller’s expense.

Last updated June 2026 · freebarcodetools FBA team · Corrections? Let us know

Related Tools & Guides

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FNSKU Barcode GeneratorGenerate compliant barcodes instantly
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FBA Label Size GuideExact dimensions and quiet zone rules
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How to Print FNSKU LabelsFix print quality and scale
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2D Box Content BuilderGenerate PDF417 box labels