Amazon FBA Polybag Requirements: Complete Guide 2026
Last updated: May 27, 2026
Polybag Thickness: The 1.5 Mil Rule
Amazon requires a minimum polybag thickness of 1.5 mils (0.0015 inches). Bags thinner than this are rejected. Many suppliers in China default to 1.0 mil or 1.2 mil bags because they are cheaper — verify the thickness before your shipment leaves the factory. Per Amazon's packaging requirements, the bag must be completely sealed. Open-ended bags, bags closed with staples, or bags with loose openings are not accepted.
The standard practice for clothing sellers is to order 1.5 mil polybags with a self-sealing adhesive strip. Amazon polybag size requirements state the bag should not extend more than 3 inches past the edges of the product — oversized bags create excess bulk that increases dimensional weight charges on air shipments and wastes storage space. For FBA polybag requirements for clothing specifically, the bag must be transparent so Amazon's receiving team can verify the garment color, size, and style without opening the package. Do not use standard Ziploc-style resealable bags — the closure must be a permanent adhesive seal, not a press-to-close track.
Suffocation Warning Label
Under federal law (16 CFR Part 1700), any polybag with an opening larger than 5 inches must carry a suffocation warning label. Amazon's font size requirements for the suffocation warning are stricter than federal minimums:
| Bag Opening Width | Minimum Font Size |
|---|---|
| 60 inches and above | 24 pt |
| 40-59 inches | 18 pt |
| 30-39 inches | 14 pt |
| Under 30 inches | 10 pt |
The warning must be printed directly on the bag or applied as a permanent adhesive label. Common text: "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 play pens. This bag is not a toy."
Sellers who ship from factories that do not print the warning directly onto the bag can buy pre-printed suffocation warning stickers and apply them at the prep stage. This is one of the most common FBA prep services at consolidation warehouses in Shenzhen. See our FBA clothing shipping guide for factory prep instructions. For a full FBA inbound checklist including labeling, carton marking, and palletization, see our FBA inbound shipment guide.
Barcode Placement: Outside the Bag
The FNSKU barcode must be on the outside of the polybag, scannable without opening. A barcode placed inside the bag means Amazon must break the seal to scan it — at which point the unit is no longer sellable. Use transparent bags so the barcode and product are visible. If you use opaque bags, print a second content label and place it alongside the barcode.
The barcode must be scannable through a single layer of bag material. Folded or wrinkled bags that obscure the barcode cause scanner rejection at the fulfillment center. Flat-pack your units so the barcode side faces outward.
When Polybags Are Required vs Optional
| Product Type | Polybag Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Textiles/clothing | Yes | 1.5 mil, transparent, sealed |
| Liquids, powders, pastes | Yes | Sealed + leak-proof cap |
| Hard goods in retail packaging | No | Retail box is sufficient |
| Multi-piece sets | Yes | All pieces sealed as one unit |
| Adult products | Yes | Opaque black bag required |
FBA Prep at the Factory: Checklist for Suppliers
Give this list to your Chinese supplier before production. It prevents the most common receiving rejections:
- Polybag each unit individually with 1.5 mil minimum thickness, sealed
- Suffocation warning printed on bag (if opening exceeds 5 inches)
- FNSKU barcode on outside of bag, scannable through single layer
- Hang tags secured — staples or adhesive to prevent detachment
- One SKU per master carton — do not mix products in the same box
Polybag compliance is one part of the broader FBA inbound shipping process. For the full shipment workflow — from factory prep to customs clearance to Amazon delivery — see our complete FBA shipping guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum thickness for Amazon FBA polybags?
1.5 mils (0.0015 inches). Thinner bags are rejected at inbound. Verify thickness with your supplier before production.
Do all FBA products need polybags?
No. Textiles, liquids, loose products, and multi-piece sets need polybags. Hard goods in sealed retail packaging generally do not.
What goes on the polybag label?
FNSKU barcode on the outside, scannable through the bag. Suffocation warning required if opening exceeds 5 inches.
Get Your FBA Shipment Prep-Ready
Zbao Logistics offers FBA prep services at our Shenzhen consolidation warehouse: polybag verification, FNSKU labeling, and suffocation warning application. We inspect packaging before the container departs China so rejections happen at the factory, not at Amazon's dock. See our Amazon FBA freight forwarding.
