Prep It Pack It Ship It - FAQs

Created by Brian Cummings, Modified on Mon, 29 Apr at 1:27 PM by Brian Cummings

How much does it cost to use your prep center?

We have three basic service fees:

A small receiving fee when you send us inventory. (Receiving fees are free if both receiving and shipment out at the same time)
An outbound shipment fee when we prep and ship your inventory
A monthly storage fee if we store your inventory

We have no membership or start-up fees, and no monthly minimum volume requirements. You may view a comprehensive list of all services and pricing here: https://www.prepitpackitshipit.com/services-pricing

What services do you offer?

In addition to forwarding products to Amazon fulfillment centers, we offer a broad range of services. This includes inventory storage, product inspection, labeling, bundling, polybagging, kitting, e-commerce order fulfillment (FBM), returns and removals, and inventory disposal.

As an Amazon seller sending products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, do I have to use an FBA prep center, or can I prep my products myself?

You can always choose to do your own FBA prep, however professional sellers use prep centers like Prep It Pack It Ship It to ensure that their products are inspected, packaged, labeled, and shipped according to Amazon's stringent requirements.

How do I choose the right FBA prep center for my business?

Choosing a prep center is an important decision, one that can impact the success of your business. Price is an important consideration, of course, but there are several other factors you'll want to take into consideration. How long has the prep center been in business? How easy is their software to work with? How quickly will they get your inventory out the door and on its way to Amazon? Is there someone to talk to when you have a concern?

Prep It Pack It Ship It checks all the boxes:

Competitive pricing
In business for over 10 years
Easy-to-use software connects to your Amazon account - place orders 24/7
24-48 hour turnaround
We are available by phone, email or chat during business hours
No set-up fee
No monthly fee
No minimum volume requirements
Straightforward, no-surprises pricing
No change in prices during Q4

What precautions should I take when selecting an FBA prep center?

Research the prep center thoroughly, read reviews, ask for references, and ensure they have a good track record of reliability and quality. Refrain from using new prep centers in their first year or two of business as they may be vastly unprepared and understaffed for handling the increased levels of inventory during holiday periods.

Can I trust Prep it Pack It Ship It with my inventory?

We are an established FBA prep center with over ten years of experience managing our clients’ inventory. We take security and quality quite seriously. We establish and maintain trust through due diligence and communication with our clients.

How long will it take Prep it Pack It Ship It to process my products?

We promise a turnaround time of 24 to 72 hours. The processing time may vary depending on your needs. Please contact us to discuss the type of products you sell and how we can best serve you.

Can I track the progress of my products at your FBA prep center?

You will have access to our online portal giving you a 24/7 view of your inventory and all prep orders. You can monitor the status and location of your products throughout the prep process.

What happens if there are issues with my products at your prep center?

Should your inventory arrive damaged, we will notify you and provide pictures within your portal account. You can also always reach out to us through our email support and someone is always available by phone during business hours should you wish to discuss any concerns.

Do you handle international shipping and customs clearance?

You will need an account with DHL, First Choice, UPS, or other carriers that will handle the customs requirements. We will deliver your cartons to the carrier for shipment. The cost of shipping will be billed to your account with your carrier.

Can I use multiple FBA prep centers for different aspects of my business?

Yes, you can use multiple FBA prep centers for various services or locations, depending on your needs. We also have different warehouse locations for our wholesale and online arbitrage clients.

Are there any restrictions on the types of products that your prep center will handle?

We can receive, store and process most types of items, including HazMat. We currently do not handle used books, perishable items or larger items such as furniture.

Do you provide storage services?

If you are planning to store a portion or all of your inventory, storage is billed at $45/pallet/month. Storage is prorated by the day and percentage of pallet space used.

How do I ship my products to your prep center warehouses?

You will enter your expected incoming shipments in our online portal for our warehouse to receive. Our complete warehouse address will be provided to you along with further instructions during your new client onboarding. You will also be able to monitor the status of your shipments after delivery through your portal account.

Can Prep it Pack It Ship It help with Amazon FBA shipping requirements and compliance?

Yes, this is what we do. We are thoroughly knowledgeable of all of Amazon's FBA requirements for your items and can assist with compliance, including labeling, packaging, and bundling needs.

Are there any additional fees or hidden costs associated with using your prep center?

We do not have any hidden costs, membership or start-up fees, and no monthly minimum volume requirements. You will only be charged for the services you use.

How can I communicate with your prep center regarding my orders and preferences?

You may provide instructions or ask questions through our online portal. We also have both email, chat and phone support during regular business hours so you can connect and communicate with our support team. Also, you can request an online video meeting with our operations manager for a demonstration of our portal and answer any other questions you may have.

Can you help with my FBA removals and returns?

Our warehouse can receive, inspect, store or repack your returns/removals from Amazon.

Will your prep center handle international shipping for my products to Amazon fulfillment centers in different countries?

You will need an account with DHL, First Choice, UPS, or other carriers that will handle the customs requirements. The cost of shipping will be billed to your account with your carrier.

Create an DTC outbound shipment in our portal. In the notes section, ask for the dimensions and weight of the carton(s) to provide to your carrier.
Create the shipping labels and forms through your carrier account and add them to the attachments option immediately below the notes section of the Outbound shipment.
We will deliver your cartons to the carrier for shipment.

What types of packaging materials do FBA prep centers typically use, and can I request specific packaging materials?

We can discuss your packaging preferences. We use standard packaging materials but you can request specific materials or customized packaging if needed.

How do I handle inventory reconciliation and tracking when using your FBA prep center?

We have an online portal where you can monitor all your incoming and outgoing shipments and also the inventory levels you have at our warehouse. Tracking numbers can also be seen or added on them for easier visibility. You can download your current inventory count anytime or just check online for a specific item. You will also be able to see if what we receive is less or more than what was expected for your inbound shipments.

What happens if my products require special handling or assembly before shipping to Amazon?

We can assemble multipacks/bundles for you. If your products require special handling, assembly, or kitting, you can send us a message or add it in your notes section of the shipment. Our team will process it for you as requested, otherwise we’ll check with the warehouse if we can accommodate it depending on the complexity of the request.

Can Prep It Pack It Ship It help with Amazon's labeling requirements, including FNSKU labels and expiration date labels?

Yes, we can definitely assist you with your labeling needs. You can see a more comprehensive list of our services on our service and pricing page.

What is the process for receiving and inspecting products at your warehouse?

We will receive your products and check the quantities, inspect them for any issues, and then proceed with the agreed-upon services such as storage,labeling or packaging. Your shipments will be shrink wrapped and will be stored in pallets.

Are there any volume discounts or pricing tiers available for larger quantities of products?

Yes, we have volume discounts for customers sending us 5000 units/month for prep services or over 1000 cartons/month for carton-forwarding. You may coordinate with us by sending the details to our support email. Our managers will review the details and we’ll get back to you.

Can you help with Amazon's long-term storage fee avoidance by periodically sending in small shipments?

There is no minimum shipment requirement and you can send small frequent shipment schedules as you would see fit. We’ll notify you in case there will be an error such as stock limits on your requested shipment prior to sending them out.

How do I handle returns from Amazon?

You can create a removal order from your seller account and add the incoming removal order on your inbound shipment for our warehouse to receive.

Do you provide any additional support or advice for optimizing my Amazon FBA business?

We’d like to help as much as we can offer. We can provide additional support on certain concerns. We may not be able to answer everything but we can provide guidance on compliance and strategy.

What is the typical process for sending inventory to your warehouse, and how can I track the shipment's progress?

You can create an inbound shipment in our portal for any incoming shipments we should expect to be delivered at our warehouse. You can monitor the status of it in the portal as it will be tagged as received once our warehouse has finished checking them in. Any issues we find, you may see in the fix issues area. You would also be able to check if the quantity expected is the same as the actual received in the portal.

Can youprep centers handle products that require special temperature-controlled storage or shipping conditions, such as refrigeration or freezing?

We currently don't offer services for temperature-sensitive products.

What is the process for handling damaged or missing items that occur during the prep and shipping process at your prep center?

If we receive or have found a damage or missing item in your inventory, we’ll notify you and you will be able to see them under your fix issues tab in your portal. We can also communicate about this through our support team if you need further details. Please note that once the items have been shipped out to Amazon, we are no longer liable for any damage/missing inventory.

Can you handle oversized or irregularly shaped items that may not fit standard Amazon fulfillment requirements? -

An Oversize item exceeds 18 inches on its longest side or 20 pounds in weight. Oversized items have a different fee than standard-sized ones. Generally, for case-packed inventory shipment to Amazon FBA we have a $5.00 per carton oversize, includes the carton label.

Do you offer custom labeling options, such as branding or promotional inserts, to help differentiate my products on Amazon?

You may email us your specific instructions on your custom labeling for us to check if our warehouse can handle the details and depending on the complexity of the request.

How do I calculate shipping costs from the your prep warehouse to Amazon fulfillment centers, and can the center assist with optimizing shipping routes and costs?

The cost of shipping to Amazon's warehouses will be billed to your Amazon account. A rough estimate cost to ship to Amazon's warehouses using a partnered carrier is generally about $0.50 per pound. The cost will be less to Amazon warehouses in the western part of the US and more to those in the eastern US.

What are the security measures in place to protect my products while they are at Prep It Pack It Ship It?

Our warehouses all have cameras and alarm systems and are insured. Should something happen to the inventory the insurance may not reimburse the full amount that you would like. We recommend that you have a rider on your Amazon insurance that says your inventory is in our warehouse and that will provide the additional insurance that you need. We have insurance on our warehouse and not once it is shipped.

Can you handle the removal and disposal of unsellable or expired products from Amazon's fulfillment centers?

Yes, we can handle and receive your returns/removals from Amazon. Inspect and check if they are still sellable. We can also handle its disposal once requested. The cost for Removals is $1.75 per unit ($2.00 per oversized unit) and includes a brief, external inspection to determine if the product is re-sellable.

If your products need to be relabeled with a new FNSKU, the additional cost is $0.85 per item. You may view a comprehensive list of all services and pricing here: https://www.prepitpackitshipit.com/services-pricing

Can I use your prep center for a short-term project or seasonal business without committing to a long-term contract?

We can handle your prep request may it be seasonal or ongoing. You will only be charged for the service you used. If you do however have inventory in stock at our warehouse, there will still be a storage fee unless all items will be sent to Amazon.

What happens if my products require assembly or customization before being sent to Amazon?

If your products need assembly or customization, you may reach out to us to discuss these requirements for us to check and ensure that we have the capabilities and resources to handle them.