# Creating Your First Shipment

This is the bit that feels the most overwhelming for new sellers. There are a few moving parts and it's easy to make mistakes the first time. But once you've done it once, it becomes routine — most sellers can prep and book a shipment in under an hour after a few goes.

Here's the full process from start to finish.

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**Step 1 — Print your product labels**

Every unit you send to Amazon needs an FNSKU label on it. This is the barcode Amazon uses to identify your specific stock in their warehouse.

1. Go to **Inventory → Manage All Inventory**
2. Select the products you want to send
3. Click **Action → Print item labels**
4. Choose your label format — most sellers use 27 labels per A4 sheet if using a standard printer, or a thermal printer roll if you have one
5. Print and apply to every unit, making sure:
   * The label covers the original barcode completely
   * It's placed on a flat surface — not on an edge or curve
   * Every single unit has one — Amazon will reject unlabelled stock

A thermal printer is worth the investment as you scale. Faster, cleaner, and no ink costs.

***

**Step 2 — Pack your box**

* Use a sturdy double wall cardboard box
* Fill any gaps with void fill or scrunched paper so products can't move around in transit
* Try to keep boxes **under 15kg** where possible — heavier boxes are harder to handle and increase the risk of damage
* Hard limit is **23kg** — Amazon won't accept anything over this
* Keep each side of the box **under 63.5cm**
* Weigh the packed box and note the dimensions — you'll need these when creating your shipment plan

***

**Step 3 — Create your shipment plan in Seller Central**

1. Go to **Manage Inventory**, select your products, and click **Send/Replenish Inventory**
2. Choose **I will prep and label units**
3. Enter the number of units you're sending for each product
4. Click **Ready to Pack → Pack Individual Units**
5. Enter your box dimensions and weight
6. Confirm your packaging information and proceed

***

**Step 4 — Book shipping with UPS**

1. Select **UPS Partnered Carrier** — this is Amazon's discounted shipping rate and it's significantly cheaper than booking UPS directly for standard shipments
2. Confirm the charges
3. Download and print your **UPS box labels** — these are separate from your product labels and go on the outside of the box
4. Stick the label flat on the largest face of the box where it's clearly scannable

***

**Step 5 — Schedule your UPS collection**

1. Go to the UPS website and schedule a collection
2. Enter the tracking numbers from your Seller Central shipment
3. Choose a collection date — usually next working day
4. Add your address and preferred pickup spot

UPS will come to you. You don't need to drop anything off.

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**Final checklist before you hand it over**

* Every unit labelled with FNSKU?
* Box sealed and secure with no gaps inside?
* UPS label flat and scannable on the outside?
* Box under 23kg and under 63.5cm on every side?

If all four are yes — you're done. Your first shipment is booked.

***

**A few things to expect**

* Stock usually takes around a week to go live after Amazon receives it
* Batch your shipments where possible — filling a full box keeps your cost per unit low
* Track your shipment progress in Seller Central — it'll move through Receiving, FC Transfer, and then Available


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