How Much Should You Pay for FBA Prep?
If you're an Amazon seller looking to outsource your FBA prep, the first question is always the same: how much does it cost? The answer is "it depends" — but this guide will give you real numbers, explain what drives costs up or down, and help you compare quotes from different prep centers so you don't overpay.
FBA prep pricing varies based on the type of prep required, your volume, and the prep center's location and service level. But as a general baseline, most sellers should expect to pay somewhere between $0.50 and $3.00 per unit for standard prep — with the final number depending on exactly what's being done to each product.
Standard FBA Prep Pricing Breakdown
Here's what typical FBA prep services cost at most prep centers in 2026:
FNSKU Labeling: $0.20 - $0.50 per unit
This is the most basic prep service. The prep center prints and applies your FNSKU barcode over the manufacturer's UPC. Price depends on label size and whether the item has irregular packaging that makes labeling difficult.
Polybagging: $0.30 - $0.75 per unit
Amazon requires poly bags for many product types — anything with loose parts, items with exposed openings, or products in packaging that could open during transit. The bag must include a suffocation warning. Cost varies by bag size.
Bubble Wrapping: $0.50 - $1.50 per unit
Fragile items (glass, ceramics, electronics) need bubble wrap protection. The cost depends on the item's size and how much wrapping is required to meet Amazon's prep requirements.
Bundling / Set Creation: $1.00 - $3.00 per bundle
If you sell multi-packs or bundles (e.g., "3-pack of dish soap"), the prep center combines the individual items, applies a "Sold as Set" label, and packages them together. Pricing depends on the number of components and packaging complexity.
Shrink Wrapping: $0.50 - $1.00 per unit
Some products need to be shrink-wrapped for protection or to combine items. This is common for multi-packs, boxed items, and products with safety concerns.
Inspection / Quality Check: $0.10 - $0.50 per unit
Most prep centers inspect every unit for damage, defects, or discrepancies. Basic visual inspection is often included in the base prep fee, while detailed inspection (checking functionality, counting pieces) costs extra.
Fees Beyond Per-Unit Prep
The per-unit cost is only part of the equation. Watch for these additional fees that can significantly impact your total cost:
Receiving / Inbound Fees: $25 - $75 per shipment or $2 - $5 per box
When your inventory arrives at the prep center, they need to unload it, count it, and check it against your purchase order. Some centers charge per-shipment, others per-box or per-pallet. A few include receiving in their per-unit price.
Storage Fees: $15 - $40 per pallet/month
If your inventory sits at the prep center before being shipped to Amazon, you'll pay storage. This is usually charged per pallet per month. Some centers offer a few days of free storage after receiving, then charge daily or monthly rates after that.
FBA Shipment Plan Creation: $0 - $25 per shipment
Some prep centers create your FBA shipment plans (telling Amazon what's coming and where to send it). Others expect you to create the plans yourself. If they handle it, there may be a fee — though many include this as part of the service.
Shipping to Amazon: Varies
The cost to ship your prepped inventory from the prep center to Amazon's fulfillment centers is usually separate from prep pricing. Prep centers with high shipping volume often get discounted carrier rates (UPS, FedEx) that they pass on to you. Expect to pay less than if you shipped yourself.
Materials / Supplies: Usually included
Labels, poly bags, tape, and boxes are typically included in the per-unit price. But some budget prep centers charge separately for materials. Always ask.
What Drives FBA Prep Costs Up
Several factors can push your per-unit cost above the standard range:
Product size and weight: Oversized or heavy items take more time and materials to prep. A small supplement bottle costs far less to prep than a 50-lb bag of dog food.
Complex prep requirements: Some products need multiple prep steps — labeling + polybagging + bubble wrap + bundling. Each step adds cost. A product that only needs an FNSKU label might cost $0.30/unit, while one needing labeling + poly bag + shrink wrap could cost $1.50+.
Low volume: Most prep centers offer volume discounts. Prepping 100 units costs more per unit than prepping 10,000. If you're sending small quantities, expect to pay at the higher end of the range — or look for centers with low minimums.
Seasonal surcharges: During Q4 (October-December), some prep centers add peak season surcharges of 10-25% due to increased demand and overtime labor costs.
Special handling: Products that require temperature control, hazmat compliance, or serial number tracking cost more to prep.
How to Compare FBA Prep Quotes
When getting quotes from multiple prep centers, don't just compare the per-unit price. Calculate your total all-in cost per unit, including:
1. Per-unit prep fee (for all prep steps your product needs)
2. Receiving fee (divided by number of units in the shipment)
3. Storage (if your inventory will sit for more than a few days)
4. FBA shipment creation fee (if charged)
5. Shipping to Amazon cost
6. Any materials/supply fees
Example calculation:
1,000 units need FNSKU labeling ($0.35/unit) + polybagging ($0.40/unit)
Receiving fee: $35 per shipment = $0.035/unit
5 days storage (free at most centers)
Shipping to Amazon: $0.80/unit (using discounted rates)
Total: $1.585 per unit
Now compare that total across 2-3 prep centers. The cheapest per-unit prep fee doesn't always mean the cheapest total cost — a center with higher prep fees but free receiving and cheaper shipping might be the better deal.
Red Flags in FBA Prep Pricing
Watch out for these warning signs when reviewing prep center quotes:
No written pricing: If they won't put their pricing in writing or give you a clear quote, move on. You need to know exactly what you'll pay before sending inventory.
"Starting at" pricing with no ceiling: A quote that says "labeling starting at $0.25/unit" sounds great — until your invoice comes back at $0.75/unit because your product was "non-standard." Get a firm per-unit quote for YOUR specific products.
Minimum monthly spend requirements: Some prep centers require you to hit $500-2,000+/month in prep fees or they charge you the difference. If you're a smaller seller, this can be a trap during slow months.
Long-term contracts: Most reputable prep centers work month-to-month. If they want you to sign a 6 or 12-month contract, ask why — and what the early termination fee looks like.
FBA Prep Pricing at Asfar Distribution
At Asfar Distribution in Houston, we keep our pricing straightforward:
FNSKU labeling from $0.30/unit
Polybagging from $0.35/unit
Bubble wrapping from $0.50/unit
Bundling from $1.00/bundle
Inspection included with all prep
Receiving included for standard shipments
FBA shipment plans created at no extra charge
Discounted shipping to Amazon via our UPS/FedEx accounts
No minimums, no long-term contracts, no surprise fees. We quote your exact products before you send anything, and the invoice matches the quote.
The Bottom Line
FBA prep should cost you somewhere between $0.50 and $2.00 per unit for standard prep, plus shipping to Amazon. The key is getting an all-in quote for your specific products, comparing total costs (not just per-unit fees), and making sure there are no hidden charges waiting on your first invoice.
Don't choose a prep center on price alone — the cheapest option that damages your products or gets your shipments rejected by Amazon will cost you far more in the long run.
Want a clear, no-surprise quote for your FBA prep? Request a quote from Asfar Distribution — send us your product details and we'll have a complete quote back to you within 24 hours. Learn more about our FBA prep services or explore our full 3PL fulfillment solutions.