As an FBA seller, you'll have to replenish your inventory in Amazon fulfillment centers, where Amazon will pack and ship them to customers on your behalf. But when it comes to checking and replenishing inventory from your warehouse, there are many steps to keep track of. Following this checklist will ensure that you’re not forgetting anything when it comes time to pick and pack your products to restock them at Amazon facilities. This checklist works especially well if you’re just starting out as an Amazon FBA seller, but you can also reference it any time you find yourself in need of help restocking your inventory.
1) Find the products that need to be replenished in Amazon inventory
Once a month it's a good practice to verify your stock levels. For that you can let Amazon’s tools help you find which products to restock. The first step is deciding which products to replenish—you start by using Amazon’s recommendations tool to select some potential candidates that are selling well on your product page.
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/restockinventory/recommendations
Then sort the resulting list by: ''Total days left of supply'' to see which products are going to be out of stock soon and whether you have enough supply in stock for restocking.
Pro Tip: Beware that products that are out of stock (at 0) can be found at the bottom of the page.
Since Covid the new trend is to keep about 30 days of stock maximum since the warehouse space is very limited now.
2) Create shipping plan & double check that products are in stock
Once you know how many products you want to send to restock Amazon you will be able to create a shipping plan. You can do this in the same page that we used in the previous step. You can use the drop down menu on the right of the product: ''Send/Replenish inventory'', it will automatically start a new shipping plan.
Pro tip: Unfortunately to select multiple products to create a shipping you will have to open a second tab with the FBA Inventory: https://sellercentral.amazon.com/hz/inventory/view/FBAKNIGHTS
Here you will be able select more than one products at once by clicking on the radial box on the left side of the listing. You can also use the search bar to find hidden ASINs (products).
Then you will be able to use the drop down menu over the list: ''Action on # selected''. and choose: ''Send/Replenish inventory''
Step 1: Confirmed inventory to send
Once in the Send to Amazon, the new streamlined shipment creation workflow (Shipping plan builder area) , you will be able to define how many products you want to ship of each. Here you have to use the boxe feature to define you shipping units, please note that you will be able adjust those case packs in the last step.
It's also a good time to double check the quantities of your supplies since at the end you will only be able to be adjusted them of +/- 10%.
Dont forget download your FNSKU in the first step
Note that we sell labels in our store including the ones for FNSKU identification
They are compatible with the Avery 5160 template
link:
Step 2 Confirm Shipping
you will Confirm the shipping date and approve the Shipping fees
Quick tip: If you dont have UPS (Amazon-partnered carrier)*, it means that your Ship from address from the first step is wrong. Please go back and update it, otherwise your shipment will not be processed by Amazon. You can choose any carrier of your choice, but please note that if you ship with a non-UPS partner like USPS or FedEx, then you will need to print all shipping labels yourself.
3) Pick order & make sure products are in Perfect condition
For the next two steps, we will work outside of Amazon, directly in our pick line.
Lets Pick our products first, dont forget that Quality control is a critical step in shipping products, but it can also be one of most difficult when you are not personally taking care of it. This is the reason why it is important to select a good 3PL (Third party logistic). You need to find a partner that will prepare your orders like you would.
In addition to trying to pick out high-quality products, you also have to make sure they’re shipped properly, for the best customer experience. Here a few thinks to verify.
-The packaging of the products are in perfect condition
-You have to use clear bags with a special anti suffocation warnings on them
-Wen using blanck generic boxes for your products like a simple brown box with no branding on it, it would be a good idea to put a ''sell as set, do not separate label'' on them.
-The UPC or the FNSKU on the product is Accurate
-The products to be shipped are the exactly the same products on the current shipping plan (Color, pack quantity, bundle...)
Note that we sell different sizes of anti suffocation warnings bags and different utility labels
4) Pack shipping plan following Amazon boxes & packaging requirements?
Be sure to use correct size boxes that are approved by Amazon. Maximum box size is 25in by 25in and maximum weight 22.50KG. (63,50CM by 63,50CM 49,61LB) When packing your orders be sure that you only put items into boxes without exceeding maximum weight and size. Items over these amounts will be discarded during receiving inspection and you may receive negative feedback or even account suspension if they take up too much room in a box.
For more detail you can go on Amazon reference page
Quick tips
-You can use recycled boxes
-Make sure there are no barcodes or shipping labels on your boxe (aside from the ones provided by Amazon)
-Ideally never mix SKUS in one box
-If you have to exceed the limits you may do so, but you have to apply a Team lift label
-You can put a Fragile Label on you boxes
Note that we sell clean recycled shipping boxes of different sizes
we also sell utility stickers to encourage employees to manage your boxes properly
5) Close and print labels for FBA order
For the final step we will go back in Amazon tool.
If for some reason you lost your page, you should be able to retrieve your shipping plan here:
Main Menu/Inventory/Manage FBA Shipment/Shipping plans (Tab)
Amazon Shipping plan section
Step3: Print box labels on a thermal printer on 4by6 labels
Then you have to apply both labels on your boxes
One label is the tracking number for UPS
The second label is for Amazon, it lets them know the content of each boxes.
Once completed, you have to call UPS to pick up your shipment or you can drop it to your nearest UPS Access Point or to one of Ship Pro Solutions' Counter.
Final step: Tracking details
Track your shipment until it gets to Amazon
Once fully received, verify that everything is received correctly, discrepancies between the number of units that were received and the number that were expected may happen.
You have to go to the Contents tab to reconcile discrepancies
Finally, only ship what is necessary for the next month, and always check your products before shipping. Using clean boxes with clear identification will facilitate a faster sorting process at Amazon.
Verify that everything was received correctly.