Amazon FBA Pallet Requirements: The Complete 2026 Inbound Checklist
To ship Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) or Full-Truckload (FTL) freight into an Amazon Fulfillment Center (FC), your goods must be loaded onto standard wooden pallets that strictly adhere to Amazon's dimensional, weight, and labeling rules. Non-compliant pallets risk dock delivery refusal, re-palletizing fees, and performance defect marks in Seller Central.
1. Core Physical Pallet Dimensions & Material Standards
Amazon US fulfillment centers mandate standard 48 × 40 inch wooden pallets. Pallets constructed from plastic, metal, particleboard, or weak corrugated cardboard are strictly rejected at the receiving dock.
| Specification | Amazon US Requirement | Amazon UK / EU Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Dimensions | 48.0" × 40.0" (120 × 100 cm) | 120.0 × 80.0 cm (Euro EPAL 1) |
| Pallet Grade | GMA Grade B or higher (4-way access) | EPAL 1 certified wooden block |
| Max Overall Height | 72.0 inches (182.88 cm) | 180.0 cm (including pallet) |
| Max Gross Weight | 1,500.0 lbs (680.39 kg) | 500.0 kg (standard) |
| Allowable Overhang | 0.0 inches (Strict 0 overhang) | 0.0 cm (Strict 0 overhang) |
*GMA Grade B pallets may have stringer repairs (companion stringers or metal plates) but must have intact deckboards with zero missing boards or exposed protruding nails.
2. Maximum Height & Weight Limits Explained
The 72-inch maximum height limit includes the wooden pallet base itself. Standard GMA pallets have a base height of approximately 6.0 inches (15.24 cm), leaving you with 66.0 inches of usable carton cargo height.
The only scenario in which a pallet may exceed 72 inches in height is when it contains a single oversized product that physically exceeds 72 inches on its own (such as a large piece of furniture, kayak, or commercial fixture). In this case, no other units may be stacked on that pallet.
The 1,500-lb gross weight limit includes the weight of the wooden pallet base (typically ~45 lbs for dry wood, or ~50 lbs for treated wood). Therefore, your actual carton freight cannot exceed ~1,450 lbs.
3. Box Weight and "Team Lift" Labeling
Amazon enforces strict individual box weight rules to protect fulfillment center employees from ergonomic injuries:
- Standard Box Limit: Master cartons must not exceed 50.0 lbs (22.68 kg) unless containing a single oversized unit that weighs more than 50 lbs on its own.
- Team Lift Requirement: Any carton weighing between 50.1 lbs and 100.0 lbs must have clear, prominent "Team Lift" warning stickers affixed to all four vertical sides and the top panel.
- Mechanical Lift Requirement: Cartons exceeding 100.0 lbs require "Mechanical Lift" warning labels.
4. Zero Overhang & Stretch Wrapping Rules
Amazon enforces a strict 0.0-inch overhang tolerance. If any master carton protrudes over the outer perimeter edges of the wooden pallet deck, the freight is at high risk of receiving rejection. Why? Inside carrier trailers and cross-dock conveyor systems, adjacent pallets bump against each other. Overhanging cartons absorb the direct impact, crushing packaging and tearing barcodes.
- Clear Plastic Film Only: You must use transparent, clear plastic stretch wrap. Black, opaque, or colored films are prohibited because dock workers must visually inspect cargo condition and scan barcodes through the film.
- Anchor the Pallet Base: Stretch wrap must wind tightly around the bottom deckboards and stringers of the wooden base to tie the load directly to the pallet.
- Flat Top Surface: The top layer of your pallet must be flat. "Pyramid" stacking (where boxes taper to a central peak) is prohibited because it prevents double-stacking in carrier trailers.
5. FBA Pallet Labeling Requirements
Every pallet shipped via LTL or FTL must have four (4) identical Amazon FBA pallet labels affixed:
- Affix one label centrally on the top-center of each of the four sides of the stretch-wrapped pallet.
- Place labels straight, not tilted, so carrier drivers and forklift operators can scan the barcodes from any approach angle.
- Do not place labels over corners where folds or creases can distort the 2D matrix barcode.
6. Inbound Receiving Checklist for Dock Workers
Primary Sources & Verified Guidelines
Ready to model your shipment?
Test your master carton dimensions and generate instant printable slips with our browser-based tool.
Launch FBA Pallet Calculator →