Manual FBA prep gives you full control over preparing and shipping inventory from Jetpack fulfillment centers to Amazon FBA warehouses—especially critical for freight orders and international markets. This comprehensive guide walks you through the complete manual FBA prep process, from creating FBA shipments in Amazon Seller Central to transferring inventory through your Jetpack dashboard, applying labels, and coordinating final delivery. Whether you’re managing cross-border shipments or working with freight orders during service updates, this guide provides everything you need to successfully prep inventory for Amazon FBA.
What Is Manual FBA Prep?
Manual FBA prep is the process of transferring inventory from a Jetpack fulfillment center to an Amazon FBA warehouse using manual order creation rather than automated workflows. This method gives you direct control over:- Inventory selection - Choose exactly which products and quantities to transfer
- Shipment configuration - Specify packing requirements and shipping methods
- Label application - Control when and how FBA labels are applied
- Carrier selection - Choose between Jetpack-purchased labels, freight services, or your own prepaid options
To qualify for Jetpack’s FBA program, you must ship at least 400 non-FBA (B2C) orders per month via Jetpack.
Manual FBA Prep Pricing and SLA
Manual FBA orders are a value-add service, not a standalone offering. For detailed pricing information, contact Jetpack Care. For service level agreement details specific to manual FBA prep orders, refer to Jetpack’s SLA documentation.Providing Amazon FNSKU Barcodes to Jetpack
If Jetpack needs to apply Amazon Product Labels to your inventory during the FBA prep process, you must provide a PDF of the FNSKU barcode sheet on each product’s details page in your dashboard.Uploading FNSKU Barcode Sheets
1
Access the Product Catalog
From the Product Catalog in your Jetpack dashboard, click Products on the left-hand navigation bar to open the Product Catalog.
2
Select the product and upload FNSKU barcode sheet
Locate the product that requires Amazon Product Labels and click the product Name (hyperlinked) to open the product details page. Scroll to the Fulfillment Information tile, check the box next to “This needs an Amazon FNSKU barcode sheet”, and click Choose File to upload the PDF file for the product’s Amazon Product Label. You will receive a success message confirming the upload.
3
Save your changes
Click Save in the Unsaved Changes bar at the top of the page to complete the upload.
Creating Manual FBA Orders in Amazon Seller Central
Before creating the FBA prep order in your Jetpack dashboard, you must first create the FBA shipment in Amazon Seller Central. This generates the FBA Shipment ID that you’ll need for the Jetpack transfer order.Step-by-Step: Amazon Seller Central Setup
1
Navigate to FBA Inventory
From Amazon Seller Central, click Inventory in the main navigation and select FBA Inventory from the dropdown menu.
2
Access Shipments and start new
Click Shipments on the top navigation bar, select Send to Amazon, then click Start new (hyperlinked) to begin a new shipment.
3
Configure shipment details
Input the Jetpack fulfillment center address as the Ship from address (verify the correct address via Jetpack’s Fulfillment Centers page). Select the product(s) you want to send and choose individual units, then enter the total units for each product.
4
Ready to pack
Click Ready to pack and then click Pack individual units.
5
Skip packing and review splits
Click Skip packing and continue to proceed. Review how Amazon will split your order across different fulfillment centers.
If Amazon splits your shipment across multiple FBA warehouses, you’ll create one manual FBA prep order in Jetpack for each destination. Each order will have its own FBA Shipment ID.
Creating Manual FBA Prep Orders in the Jetpack Dashboard
After creating the FBA shipment in Amazon Seller Central, you’ll transfer the inventory through your Jetpack dashboard using the Inventory Transfer workflow.Step-by-Step: Jetpack Dashboard Setup
1
Navigate to Orders and create new order
Click Orders on the left-hand navigation bar, select All Orders, and click the New Order button at the top right. Under “Who are you shipping to?”, choose Amazon FBA, then click Next - Item Selection.
2
Access Inventory Transfer page
Click the provided link in the banner that says “go to the Inventory Transfer page”.
3
Click Transfer Inventory
Click the Transfer Inventory button to open the transfer order popup.
4
Enter transfer information
In the pop-up window, enter the transfer information:
(Optional) Check the box if the items require Amazon Product Labels that you want Jetpack to attach (Jetpack will use the product labels you previously uploaded to the product details page). Under Packing Instructions, select Individual Items, then click Next.
| Field | Selection/Input |
|---|---|
| Transfer Type | Select External Transfer |
| Transfer From | Choose the Jetpack fulfillment center that will prep and ship the order |
| Transfer To | Select Amazon FBA |
| FBA Shipment ID | Enter the shipment ID from Amazon Seller Central |
5
Choose your shipping method
Select the appropriate shipping method based on your needs:
Input a future date for “When should we pick inventory?” The order will move to Processing status on this date. After 4 business days in Processing, the order will be ready for carrier pickup.
| Shipping Method | When to Use | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Discounted label from Jetpack | Parcel shipments with Jetpack-purchased labels |
|
| Jetpack Freight | Freight shipments arranged by Jetpack |
|
| Prepaid standard carrier | Self-purchased parcel labels |
|
| Prepaid freight (palletized) | Self-arranged freight shipments |
|
6
Complete order details and save
Enter the recipient’s name and address (this should match the Amazon FBA warehouse address from Amazon Seller Central). Select the items and their quantities (quantities should match what you specified in Amazon Seller Central). (Optional) Upload stickers (PDF) from Amazon Seller Central for each item if needed. Click Save to complete the order creation. (Optional) Subscribe to order updates to receive email notifications.Once the order is packed, Jetpack will email you with the shipment dimensions and weight. You can also export the order details to Excel by clicking the Actions button on the order details page—the file will be emailed to your inbox.
FBA Prep Requirements
Amazon has specific labeling and packaging requirements for all FBA shipments. Jetpack follows these standards to ensure your inventory is accepted at Amazon warehouses.Labeling Requirements
Every box or pallet must have a unique GS1 (carton and pallet) label. You will incur label fees per carton/pallet applied.FBA Carton Label Example
FBA Pallet Label Example
FBA Carton Label Placement
Labels must be placed on the exterior of boxes in a visible location that won’t be obscured during transit or warehousing.
FBA Pallet Label Placement
Pallet labels must be applied to all four sides of the pallet at a height easily scannable by warehouse staff.
Dimension and Weight Limits
Amazon enforces strict dimension and weight limits for FBA shipments. If your order exceeds these limits, Jetpack will automatically split it into multiple compliant shipments.| Shipment Type | Limits |
|---|---|
| Parcel orders |
|
| Freight orders |
|
Post-Packing Steps: Uploading Amazon Box Labels
After Jetpack has packed your FBA prep order, you must complete additional steps in Amazon Seller Central to generate and upload the Amazon Box labels. These labels are separate from shipping labels and are required for all Amazon FBA shipments.What Happens After Packing
- You will receive an email notification that the order has been packed
- The email will prompt you to upload the Amazon Box labels
- You can view dimensions and weight under the Shipment Breakdown section of the order in your Jetpack dashboard
- Click View Dimensions for the full packing configuration
Completing Amazon Seller Central Workflow
1
Access Active Workflows
From Amazon Seller Central, click Active Workflows and select Continue Workflow for the relevant FBA order.
2
Submit packing details
Under the Submit Packing Details section, input the total number of boxes for each shipment. Click Generate Excel file to download the template for dimensions and weight, then click Accept Charges and Confirm Shipments.
3
Confirm transportation
Click Step 2c: Confirm Transportation. Input the Ship Date using the calendar icon, then click Accept Charges and Confirm Shipments again.
4
Fill out the Excel template
Open the Excel file you downloaded and input the dimensions and weight for each shipment. Use the dimensions and weight from the Jetpack dashboard order details and ensure accuracy to avoid Amazon receiving discrepancies.
5
Upload Excel file
Save the completed Excel file and upload it back to Amazon Seller Central. After uploading, click Accept Charges and Confirm Shipments again.
6
Download Amazon Box Labels
Download the Amazon Box Labels from Amazon Seller Central. These labels are required for all Amazon shipments, regardless of your shipping label selection.
7
Select carrier and configure shipment
Click Continue to Carrier and Pallet Information. Select Amazon Partnered Carrier (if you want to purchase shipping labels from Amazon) or Non-Partnered Carrier (if you purchased labels from Jetpack or are using your own carrier).
8
Download labels and approve shipment
(If applicable) Download the shipping labels provided by Amazon if you selected Amazon Partnered Carrier. (If applicable) If Jetpack is applying Amazon product labels, select the 30-up labels 1” x 2 5/8” on US Letter size format and download them. Once all information is complete, click Approve Shipment.
Final Steps: Uploading Labels to Jetpack Dashboard
After completing the Amazon Seller Central workflow, return to your Jetpack dashboard to upload all required labels and documentation.Uploading Amazon Box Labels
1
Navigate to your FBA prep order
From the Jetpack dashboard, navigate to All Orders and locate your FBA prep order. Scroll down to the Attachments section of the order details page.
2
Upload Amazon Box Labels
Click Upload Attachment, select the Amazon box label file you downloaded from Amazon Seller Central, and update the file type dropdown to Amazon Box Label. Click the Upload button. The progress bar will update once the upload is complete.
Uploading Additional Documents
Depending on your shipment configuration, you may need to upload additional documents:| Document Type | When Required | File Type Selection |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid Shipping Labels | If you selected prepaid standard carrier or prepaid freight | Prepaid Shipping Label |
| Bill of Lading (BOL) | For shipments configured as prepaid freight (palletized) | Bill of Lading |
| Commercial Invoice | For cross-border/international shipments | Other |
If your FBA shipment is traveling cross-border (e.g., from a US fulfillment center to an Amazon warehouse in Canada or Mexico), attach a commercial invoice and mark the file type as Other. Learn more about customs and commercial invoices.
Upload Issues
If you encounter any issues uploading attachments to your FBA order in the Jetpack dashboard, contact Jetpack Care via chat, phone, or email for immediate assistance.Manual FBA Prep FAQs
What's the difference between manual and automated FBA prep?
What's the difference between manual and automated FBA prep?
Manual FBA prep requires you to create the FBA shipment in Amazon Seller Central first, then manually transfer inventory in the Jetpack dashboard. Automated FBA prep (when available) allows Jetpack to automatically generate and process FBA shipments based on your Amazon Seller Central connection.Manual prep is currently required for all freight orders due to a temporary service update. For standard parcel orders, automated FBA prep is the recommended workflow when available. Learn more about creating automated FBA shipments.
Can I use manual FBA prep for parcel orders, or is it only for freight?
Can I use manual FBA prep for parcel orders, or is it only for freight?
You can use manual FBA prep for both parcel and freight orders. However, manual prep is particularly important for freight orders during the current temporary service pause. For standard parcel orders, automated FBA prep is generally more efficient when available.
How do I know which fulfillment center address to use in Amazon Seller Central?
How do I know which fulfillment center address to use in Amazon Seller Central?
Always use the address of the Jetpack fulfillment center that will be prepping and shipping your FBA order. Verify the correct address on Jetpack’s Fulfillment Centers page. The fulfillment center you select should be the same one you choose when creating the transfer order in your Jetpack dashboard.
What happens if Amazon splits my shipment to multiple warehouses?
What happens if Amazon splits my shipment to multiple warehouses?
If Amazon splits your shipment across multiple FBA warehouses, you must create a separate FBA prep order in your Jetpack dashboard for each destination. Each destination will have its own FBA Shipment ID from Amazon Seller Central, and each requires its own transfer order in Jetpack with corresponding labels and documentation.
Do I need to upload FNSKU barcode sheets for every product?
Do I need to upload FNSKU barcode sheets for every product?
Only if you want Jetpack to apply Amazon Product Labels to your inventory. If your products already have Amazon FNSKU labels applied (e.g., from your manufacturer or another prep service), you don’t need to upload barcode sheets. However, if Jetpack needs to label your products, you must upload the FNSKU barcode sheet PDF to each product’s details page before creating the FBA prep order.
What is the difference between Amazon Box Labels and shipping labels?
What is the difference between Amazon Box Labels and shipping labels?
Amazon Box Labels are GS1 carton or pallet labels that identify your shipment to Amazon’s receiving system. These are required for all FBA shipments and must be uploaded to your Jetpack dashboard.Shipping labels are the carrier labels (e.g., FedEx, UPS, freight carrier) that route your shipment to the Amazon warehouse. Depending on your shipping method selection, these may be purchased by Jetpack, purchased by you, or purchased through Amazon’s partnered carrier program.Both types of labels are required, but they serve different purposes.
How long does it take to process a manual FBA prep order?
How long does it take to process a manual FBA prep order?
The service level agreement (SLA) for manual FBA prep orders begins when the order enters Processing status (based on the inventory reserve date you selected). After entering Processing, the order will be ready for carrier pickup within 4 business days. For specific SLA details, refer to Jetpack’s SLA documentation.
Can I change the FBA prep order after I create it in the Jetpack dashboard?
Can I change the FBA prep order after I create it in the Jetpack dashboard?
Limited changes can be made after order creation. If you need to adjust inventory quantities, change the fulfillment center, or modify other critical details, contact Jetpack Care immediately. Note that requesting adjustments to inventory within the order (adding, removing, or canceling) may incur a fee priced as a paid request.
Let’s Dive Deeper
Amazon FBA Overview
Back to the main FBA guide
Creating Automated FBA Shipments
Learn about automated FBA workflows for parcel orders
Creating Manual B2B Orders
General B2B order creation process
FBA LTL Workflow
Detailed freight and LTL shipment workflow
Troubleshooting FBA Errors
Common FBA issues and solutions
Upload Order Attachments
Detailed guide to uploading documents
Questions? Contact Jetpack Care.
If you have any questions or run into issues with manual FBA prep, you can always contact Jetpack Care for help. Our team is always here to assist via Slack, phone, or email!