FBA Prep Center

FBA Prep Center Germany – every prep step from one provider

We take care of preparing your goods for Amazon FBA in full: receiving, inspection, labelling, packaging and the inbound shipment – at one site in Germany, at fixed prices per unit.

Basics

What is an FBA prep center?

An FBA prep center is a service provider that prepares goods on behalf of an Amazon seller so that Amazon will accept them at the fulfilment centre. Amazon sets specific requirements for incoming consignments: every saleable unit needs a scannable FNSKU label, certain product groups have to be packed in polybags or bubble wrap, sets have to be marked as a bundle, and cartons and pallets must comply with the requirements for weight, labelling and stacking.

If just one of these points is not met, the result can be handling fees (the “Unplanned Prep Service Fee”), delayed check-in or, in extreme cases, the return of the entire delivery. A prep center takes on precisely these steps – and the responsibility for making sure the consignment arrives in an Amazon-compliant condition.

For sellers this means one thing above all: you buy goods and sell them without having to maintain your own warehouse space, label printer and handling staff.

Services

The services we provide

Our range of services covers the entire chain between goods receipt and the FBA inbound shipment. You can book everything as a complete package or combine individual steps.

  • Goods receipt: Receipt of cartons and pallets, including a unit count and booking in.
  • Quality control: Visual inspection for transit damage, completeness and the condition of the packaging.
  • FNSKU labelling: Application of the Amazon barcode to every unit, using your labels or ours.
  • Packaging: Polybag with suffocation warning, bubble wrap for delicate items, repacking into new cartons.
  • Bundling and multipacking: Combining several items into one saleable unit, including the bundle label.
  • Interim storage: The first 14 days free of charge when FBA prep is booked.
  • Inbound shipment to Amazon FBA: Making up the shipment cartons or pallets and handing them over to the carrier.
  • Returns processing: Receipt, condition inspection, refurbishment or proper disposal.
Process

How working with us runs

1. Enquiry. You tell us about your products, your monthly volume and the services you want. You receive a quote based on our published price list within 24 hours on working days.

2. Delivery. You give us advance notice of the consignment by e-mail and have it delivered to us by parcel service or freight forwarder. We take in the goods, count them and confirm receipt.

3. Processing. Within 24–48 hours we carry out the prep steps you have ordered. We report anything unusual to you before doing any further work.

4. Inbound shipment. You create the shipping plan in your Seller Central and send us the shipment ID and the shipping labels. We make up the consignment and hand it over to the carrier.

5. Invoicing. We invoice the services actually performed at the prices you saw beforehand. Payment terms are 14 days.

Prices

What does an FBA prep center in Germany cost?

We work with fixed prices per unit rather than packages or monthly base fees. FBA complete prep costs €0.79 per unit, FNSKU labelling on its own €0.39, quality control €0.25 and polybagging €0.29 per unit. Pallet receiving is €6.00 and FBA carton handling €2.90 per carton.

There is no minimum number of units. Only a minimum order value of €25.00 net per individual order for prep services applies. New customers receive a 10 % discount on the first delivery and 5 % on the second. All prices are net plus statutory VAT.

The full price list with every item, together with a cost calculator, is available on the pricing page.

Our services are aimed exclusively at businesses within the meaning of § 14 BGB (German Civil Code).

Choosing a provider

What to look for when choosing a prep center

The price per unit is only half the story. What matters is what it includes and what is charged on top – label printing, polybag material, carton handling, storage after the free period. Ask for the items to be broken down individually before you commit.

Just as important are the turnaround time promised from goods receipt and the question of what happens if a delivery arrives damaged or incomplete. A sound process reports such cases before any further processing and documents them, instead of quietly letting them pass.

Finally, check whether the provider has a physical address in Germany and a complete imprint. For the importation and the VAT treatment of your goods that is not a detail but a prerequisite.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a prep center and a 3PL?
A prep center prepares goods for an inbound shipment to Amazon FBA – Amazon then handles storage and delivery to the end customer. A 3PL stores your goods on a permanent basis and ships to end customers itself (FBM). We cover both: prep for FBA, as well as storage and dispatch preparation for FBM consignments.
How long does processing take?
For standard orders, 24–48 hours from goods receipt. For larger or more demanding consignments we agree the schedule with you in advance.
Can I have goods delivered to you directly from the manufacturer?
Yes. Many clients have goods delivered to us directly from the supplier or out of a container. Please give us advance notice of the consignment and state how many packages to expect.
Do I need a German VAT number?
Selling via Amazon in Germany generally requires a VAT registration in Germany. That is a tax matter you should clarify with your tax adviser – we provide the logistics service only, not tax advice.
Do you work with sellers based abroad?
Yes. A large proportion of our clients are based outside Germany. We can communicate in German, English, Italian and French.

Related pages

Request a quote for your volume

Send us your product list and your monthly volume – you will receive a specific quote within 24 hours on working days.

Request a quote View pricing