Sellers can reach their full potential by getting an Amazon FBA inspection. Use this checklist to ensure you’re compliant.
While selling products on Amazon can open your ecommerce store up to new customers, you also must fight the competition.
There’s one simple rule when standing out on Amazon: give your customers what they want. And product quality will always be at the forefront. 51% of customers say product quality is more important than price.
How can sellers ensure their products meet FBA’s standards? Conducting an Amazon FBA inspection is an overlooked strategy. However, there are specific factors that FBA testers will observe, and it can be challenging to know if you meet all the requirements.
What Is an FBA Inspection?
An Amazon FBA inspection is a test conducted by a third-party service. The service will check various areas of your supply chain, such as product packaging and shipping.
Amazon has strict requirements for its FBA program. Getting the product quality green light before putting your products up for sale will put you one step above your competitors.
Is an Amazon FBA Inspection Required?
An FBA inspection is not required for all sellers; Amazon doesn’t perform one themselves. But the retail giant requires merchants to comply with their requirements. If they find any FBA mistakes with a seller, they will send them a warning.
There are additional advantages to getting an FBA inspection done. These include:
- Avoiding product listing rejections and returns
- Reduced order delays and logistics complications
- Maintains high product and store quality
- More likely to receive positive product reviews
Who Should Get an FBA Inspection?
Brands selling on Amazon should get an FBA inspection to ensure compliance before listing their products. However, any brand would benefit from regular Amazon FBA inspections.
When are specific instances that you should get an FBA inspection? Any change, such as a new product, should warrant a third-party inspection.
If a seller receives customer complaints about product quality or packaging problems, it is a good idea to hire a third-party service to find persistent issues. This not only prevents negative reviews but can also boost sales.
Some other overlooked examples include managing inventory better, improving logistics, and avoiding extra Amazon fees.
Not all sellers will need an FBA inspection. For example, if your store is performing fine but you want better results, an FBA coach will be more beneficial.
What’s Reviewed in an Amazon FBA Inspection?
While all third-party services are different, many will check the same factors. Here’s what a service will check before you make it to Amazon fulfillment centers:
Product Testing
Many third-party services test functionality on various products, specifically mechanical and tech items. They will conduct tests such as turning products on and off, testing different buttons and switches, and ensuring proper assembly.
Physical Inspection
Many services will inspect the physical products even if you don’t sell tech or electronic products. They will ensure your products meet all quality requirements and notify you if they find defects, damages, or other discrepancies.
Labeling
Amazon requires sellers to print specific information on FBA shipping labels.
All labels must have the proper FNSKU number for inventory tracking. Inspectors know Amazon’s labeling guidelines and will ensure the labels have the correct information and are consistently applied correctly.
Packaging
Amazon also has specific packaging guidelines, which ensure the products arrive undamaged and fully intact. Inspectors will check for proper packaging, appropriate labeling, and other factors like suffocation warnings and adequate sealing.
Photographic Evidence
You’ll always receive photographs after an Amazon FBA inspection. The photos will show the packaging and products.
Inspectors will also take pictures of any issues found during the inspection. Sellers should use these pictures to make corrections and for quality proof in case of a claim or dispute.
Documentation
Inspectors may also offer different documents to confirm your product quality. These may include certifications for safety, authenticity, and compliance. This is especially important if you sell products that require regulatory or legal review.
Relabeling or Repackaging
If there are any problems in your Amazon FBA inspection, they may offer to check your relabeling or repackaging efforts.
This gives you further peace of mind that your products comply with Amazon’s requirements, ensuring you get positive reviews and fewer complaints when you’re ready to sell your items.
Amazon FBA Inspection Checklist
To prepare for your Amazon inspection, all sellers can use a checklist to ensure they have everything needed for the third-party service to review. This includes:
- Undamaged products that work properly
- Products free from inconsistencies or imperfections
- Correct inventory quantities
- Accurate product weight and dimensions
There are other tests that a third-party service may not conduct that a seller can perform themselves. For example: smell, drop, and color tests. Sellers drop the products and ensure they don’t break. They also smell the item and check the color to ensure no discrepancies.
These internal checks give sellers peace of mind when checking product quality to get higher ratings.
Other Amazon FBA Seller Responsibilities
There’s more to running an online FBA business than ensuring your products and shipping meet Amazon’s standards.
Amazon has other requirements for their FBA program that you must meet. Doing so will keep customers happy and will reduce return rates.
Here’s how to stay compliant with Amazon FBA to set yourself up for success:
Choose the Correct Niche and Category
An easy way to increase sales is to ensure customers can find your items. Amazon separates products into different categories. If you’re in a specific niche, Amazon will better rank you on SERPs and display your brand against competitors.
When you create a product listing, you can select your item’s category and subcategory. Over time, Amazon will use this data to learn your brand’s niche, improving SEO results.
Have Accurate Seller Information
Amazon requires sellers to submit documentation related to the business and personal identity of those using the account. Essential information sellers should have before signing up for FBA include:
- Contact information
- Tax information
- Bank account
Apply for Brand Registry (If Applicable)
This may not apply to all sellers, but if you have a trademark, it’s worth applying to Amazon Brand Registry.
If you sell private label or branded items, having your trademark on the program will safeguard your company from fraudsters.
Create Accurate Product Listings
When it comes to Amazon product listings, accuracy is critical. If there are any discrepancies in your listing, you’ll experience more dissatisfied customers and higher return rates.
Always give your products an appropriate title. Don’t use several keywords in the title to manipulate Amazon’s search engines. These titles not only hurt your SEO results but aren’t easy to read and can confuse customers.
For transparency, always include your brand name in the title.
Your product descriptions should be clear and highlight benefits and features. Include essential information, like product weight and dimensions. Upload multiple high-res product images that show the item from different angles.
Related content: Product Listing Optimization Guidelines
Use Fair Pricing
Every seller needs a pricing strategy. You should price high enough to meet your bottom line but not too high to deter customers.
If you don’t have a pricing strategy, consider what your competitors charge. Remember to include Amazon and FBA fees in addition to your initial investments.
You can also experiment with different prices. Make slight price adjustments and monitor your sales.
Are You Ready for an Amazon FBA Inspection?
An Amazon FBA inspection ensures compliance with Amazon’s requirements and can make your business more competitive. You’ll be able to find issues with product quality and packaging and resolve them before putting your items for sale.
Now, this isn’t the only way to ensure customer satisfaction and decrease return rates. Other ways to comply with Amazon include having accurate information, applying for a brand registry, creating detailed product descriptions, and using fair pricing.
If you’re ready to launch on Amazon, there are other ways to ensure your success from the start. Amazon coaching is one of those services. We can craft a strategy for your unique brand and ensure you accomplish all your goals.
Learn more about our services by clicking here.
Author
Stephanie Jensen has been writing ecommerce content for seven years, and her copy has helped numerous stores rank on Amazon. Follow her on LinkedIn for more insight into freelance writing and creating high-quality content.
