Poly bagging is one of the most common prep requirements for Amazon FBA. Knowing which products need it, what specifications to follow, and how to do it properly prevents rejected shipments and additional fees.
When Poly Bags Are Required
Amazon requires poly bagging for products with fabric or textile components (clothing, soft toys, cushions), products in packaging that is not sealed (unsealed boxes, items without original packaging), products that could be damaged by dust, dirt, or moisture during warehouse storage, sets of items that need to be kept together, and products with multiple loose components.
When in doubt, poly bag it. Amazon would rather receive an unnecessarily bagged product than one that gets damaged in their warehouse.
Poly Bag Specifications
Bags must be transparent (so the FNSKU barcode can be scanned through the bag), at least 1.5 mil thick (thin bags tear easily during handling), and sealed — either heat-sealed, taped, or with a self-adhesive strip.
The bag should be sized appropriately for the product. Too large and the product rattles around; too small and it does not fit properly. A snug fit with enough room to seal the bag is ideal.
The Suffocation Warning
This is the requirement most commonly missed by new sellers. If the poly bag opening is larger than 127mm (5 inches), it must carry a printed suffocation warning. The standard warning reads: "WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cribs, beds, carriages, or playpens. This bag is not a toy."
The warning must be printed in a readable font size — at least 10-point for the word "WARNING" and at least 7-point for the remaining text. It can be printed directly on the bag or on a sticker affixed to the bag.
Some sellers use pre-printed suffocation warning bags, which are available from Amazon prep suppliers and stationery shops. This is the easiest approach — buy bags with the warning already printed.
How to Poly Bag Correctly
Place the product inside the bag with the FNSKU label facing outward and visible through the bag. Seal the bag securely — if using tape, ensure it holds firmly. If the product has sharp edges that could puncture the bag, add a cardboard backing or additional protection inside.
The FNSKU barcode must be scannable through the bag. Test this by scanning it with your phone. If the bag is too reflective or the barcode is obscured, apply the FNSKU label to the outside of the bag instead.
Common Poly Bagging Mistakes
Using bags that are too thin (they tear during handling, exposing the product), forgetting the suffocation warning on bags with openings over 127mm, using opaque or coloured bags that obscure the barcode, not sealing the bag properly (it opens during transit), and using bags that are dramatically oversized for the product.
Sourcing Poly Bags
Clear poly bags are available from Amazon prep suppliers, packaging wholesalers, and general retailers like Amazon itself. Buy them in bulk to reduce costs — a roll of 200 bags costs significantly less per unit than buying packs of 20. Keep a range of sizes on hand to match different product dimensions.
Self-seal bags (with an adhesive strip) are slightly more expensive than plain bags but much faster to use and produce a neater result than tape.
When Prep Centres Handle It
If you use a prep centre like Precision, poly bagging is a standard part of the prep process. We stock various bag sizes, use suffocation warning labels, and ensure every bagged product is properly sealed with a scannable barcode. It is one of those tasks that is straightforward but time-consuming when you are handling hundreds of units — exactly the kind of work that prep centres exist to take off your plate.