The Ultimate Guide to Amazon FBA Prep for Jewelry Brands

Once you have assessed your inventory, it’s time to execute the physical prep.

This phase covers the must-do packing rules that protect your jewelry from warehouse conditions, and keep Amazon from flagging or rejecting your shipment.

Jewelry often falls into two or three tricky categories: multi-piece sets, fragile items, and/or sharp objects. Amazon applies strict "pass/fail" rules for these items, with mistakes often leading to inventory being split up, damaged, or disposed of.

Here’s how to prep each scenario correctly.

If you are selling a necklace and earring combo, or stackable ring set, Amazon must receive, store, and ship them as one single unit. If components arrive loose or in separate packaging, the warehouse will treat them as individual items.

Make sure to:

• Secure everything together: All components must be combined into a single package, like one larger polybag, a single rigid box, or a heat-sealed shrink wrap.

• Apply a "Sold as Set" sticker: Once packaged, Amazon requires you to apply a label to the outside of the package that clearly states: "Sold as set," "Ready to ship," or "This is a set. Do not separate".
  

• Check your barcodes: Only the set’s unique barcode (ASIN/FNSKU) should be visible on the outside. Cover or face-inward any barcodes on individual components so the scanner can only read the barcode for the complete set.

If your jewelry includes breakable materials, like glass, ceramics, porcelain, or brittle stones, it must be packaged to survive warehouse handling.

First, apply Amazon’s rule for fragility: The 3-Foot Drop Test

Per Amazon, your packaged item must be able to survive five consecutive drops from a height of 3 feet onto a concrete surface without breaking or damaging the product. The drops must test the top, bottom, largest side, bottom corner and longest bottom edge.

Brooches, hat pins, and lapel pins present a safety hazard. Amazon is very strict here: Bubble wrap is NOT enough.

If any part of your product has the potential to stick or cut someone, you must:

• Use puncture-resistant packaging: Soft materials like poly bags or bubble wrap can be pierced. Acceptable options include blister packs, hard plastic shells, or rigid boxes.

• Fully encase the point: The sharp edge or point must be completely covered and secured so it cannot become exposed during shipping. For example, a pin should be secured to a fiberboard backing and encased in hard plastic so the point cannot slide out.

If a worker can be injured by handling the package, Amazon will classify it as a safety hazard and may dispose of the inventory at your expense.

Amazon allows two barcode types: Manufacturer Barcodes (UPC/EAN) and Amazon Barcodes (FNSKU). Which one you’re allowed to use depends on whether you’re a reseller or a brand-registered seller, and that distinction becomes mandatory on March 31, 2026

• If you’re a reseller: Starting March 31, 2026, you must use Amazon Barcodes (FNSKU) for all products. Even if the jewelry already has a manufacturer's UPC on it, you’ll be required to cover it with an Amazon barcode sticker. This will ensure the item sold is attributed specifically to your inventory and not “commingled” with other sellers’ stock.

• If you’re a brand owner/representative: If you’re enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry as a brand representative, you may continue to use the Manufacturer Barcode (UPC) without adding extra stickers, provided the product has a valid GS1 standard UPC.

• For Private Label or Hand-Made Items: Using an Amazon FNSKU barcode is highly recommended for private label sellers to ensure brand exclusivity, prevent commingling with counterfeits, and improve inventory tracking.

Since jewelry packaging is often small, label quality and placement is particularly important.

• Printing: Amazon recommends using a thermal or laser printer since inkjet printers are prone to smudging. Labels must be white and non-flective, with dimensions between 1 x 2 inches and 2 x 3 inches, and printed at a minimum resolution of 300 DPI to remain readable through the fulfillment process.

• Placement: Barcode labels must go on the outside of the final, outermost protective layer, whether that’s a poly bag, box, or bubble wrapped unit. The labels must sit on a flat, even surface, not over a curve or fold. Even a correctly printed barcode can fail to scan if its applied to uneven surfaces.

Skipping prep might feel like a shortcut, but Amazon has very little tolerance for non-compliant inventory, especially in categories like jewelry. If your products arrive without meeting the safety, packaging, or labeling standards outlined above, the consequences can escalate quickly.

At best, Amazon may correct the issue for you and charge per-unit fees, including preparation defect fees, unplanned labeling fees, or inbound defect fees for improperly routed or packaged shipments.

At worst, non-compliant shipments can be refused at the dock, returned to you at your expense, or flagged as seller-damaged, leaving you responsible for return freight and lost inventory. Items that pose a safety risk, such as sharp jewelry without puncture-resistant packaging, may be disposed of immediately and are typically not eligible for reimbursement.

Repeated issues don’t just affect a single shipment. Ongoing non-compliance can lead Amazon to mandate additional prep requirements, block future inbound shipments, or, in severe cases involving safety violations, deactivate your selling account entirely.

Do I need to poly bag jewelry that comes in a velvet box?

Yes. According to Amazon’s guidelines for small products, jewelry boxes made of fabric-like materials (such as velvet) or materials susceptible to dust and tearing must be bagged or boxed again. The barcode must be scannable on the outside of this protective layer. If your jewelry comes in an easily cleanable box (like hard plastic) that is secure, it generally does not require an extra bag.

Does the Amazon barcode (FNSKU) go on the jewelry tag or the bag?

The barcode must never be placed on the jewelry itself if it cannot be scanned without opening the packaging. It must be visible on the outside of the final prep packaging (the bag, box, or bubble wrap),. Additionally, do not place the barcode label around a corner, curve, or on a reflective surface, as this makes it unscannable.

What is the maximum weight for a shipping box containing jewelry?

While standard FBA shipments allow boxes up to 50 lb, boxes containing jewelry or watches have a stricter limit and must not exceed 40 lb. If you send a box heavier than this, you risk having your shipment blocked or refused.

Can I use crinkle paper or packing peanuts to protect jewelry in the shipping box?

No. Amazon strictly prohibits the use of "crinkle wrap," shredded paper, and packing peanuts (even biodegradable ones). These materials can cause processing jams in the fulfillment center. Instead, you should use bubble wrap, polyethylene foam sheeting, or inflatable air pillows to fill void space.

How do I package a jewelry set (e.g., necklace and earrings) for FBA?

Jewelry sold as a set must be contained in a single package (bagged or boxed together) so the pieces do not get separated. You are required to apply a sticker that explicitly says "Sold as set," "Ready to ship," or "This is a set. Do not separate". Furthermore, you must ensure that the unique barcodes for the individual items inside are covered so they are not scanned by mistake; only the barcode for the set should be visible.

Do I have to use Amazon Barcodes (stickers) or can I use the Manufacturer UPC?

This depends on your role and the timeline. Currently, you can use Manufacturer Barcodes (UPC/EAN) if your product is eligible. However, starting March 31, 2026, Amazon is changing its policy:

• Resellers: You will be required to use Amazon Barcodes (FNSKU stickers) for all products, even if they have a manufacturer barcode.

• Brand Owners: If you are the brand representative enrolled in Amazon Brand Registry, you may continue using Manufacturer Barcodes without additional stickers.