SEATTLE, WA, 26 Oct 2026: PointStory, a Seattle-based Amazon agency, has outlined the key requirements brands based outside the United States should understand before shipping inventory to Amazon’s US fulfillment centers. The advisory comes as more of the preparation work shifts to sellers, following Amazon’s decision to stop offering prep and item labelling services for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) shipments in the US from January 1, 2026.

For international brands, selling on Amazon.com through FBA involves several steps that sellers based in the US may never face. PointStory highlights five areas where international brands most often run into delays or extra costs.

1. Prep and labelling must be done before shipping
Since January 1, 2026, Amazon no longer prepares or labels inventory for US FBA shipments. Units must arrive with the correct Amazon barcode labels and any required bagging or protective packaging already in place. Amazon has stated that shipments created after that date which arrive without proper prep and labelling are not eligible for reimbursement if units are damaged or cannot be traced. For brands manufacturing abroad, the most practical approach is usually to have prep done at the factory or by a prep provider before goods reach Amazon.

2. Amazon will not act as importer of record
Amazon does not act as importer of record for any FBA shipment. Brands need either to register as a non-resident importer with US Customs and Border Protection, which requires a customs bond, or to appoint a customs broker or freight forwarder to act on their behalf. Without an importer of record, goods cannot clear customs.

3. Paperwork must match Amazon’s requirements
Customs documents must list the shipment correctly. Amazon can be named as the ultimate consignee only when “in care of FBA” appears before the Amazon entity name, and the FBA shipment ID should appear on shipping documents. Errors at this stage can delay clearance or delivery.

4. Landed cost should be calculated before pricing
US duties depend on a product’s customs classification and country of origin. International brands are advised to calculate full landed cost per unit, including freight, duties, broker fees, Amazon fees and launch advertising, before setting a US price.

5. A US company is not required to start
Non-US businesses can register a seller account on Amazon.com and receive payouts to a bank account outside the US through Amazon’s currency conversion service. Some brands later form a US entity for banking, tax or logistics reasons, but it is not a requirement to begin selling.

PointStory recommends that international brands involve a customs broker and confirm prep requirements with their manufacturer before creating their first FBA shipment, rather than resolving problems once goods have arrived in the US.

Brands looking to launch or grow on Amazon US can find more information at https://www.pointstory.io/.

About PointStory
PointStory is a Seattle-based Amazon agency that helps brands launch, manage and grow on Amazon US, including Seller Central launches, Vendor Central management and Amazon advertising. Learn more at https://www.pointstory.io/.

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