FAQ: Packaging
Packaging FAQ.
01: Platform-Specific Prep
Platform-Specific Prep
What are Amazon's packaging requirements?
Products must arrive at FBA in scannable condition with FNSKU labels. Poly-bagged items need a suffocation warning if opening >125mm. Glass and fragile items need bubble wrap. Oversized items need 'Team Lift' stickers above 15kg. Non-compliance causes inbound delays, additional prep charges (£0.50-£1.50/unit), or inventory rejection.
Do I need different packaging for different platforms?
Not necessarily, but labelling requirements differ. Amazon needs FNSKU barcodes. Your own site can use branded packaging without barcodes. eBay requires proper weight/dimensions. Design packaging that works everywhere, then add platform-specific labels. Over-customising per channel increases cost and complexity.
What's the difference between retail-ready and ecommerce packaging?
Retail-ready packaging is designed to be displayed on shelves. It emphasises visual appeal. Ecommerce packaging prioritises protection during transit, easy opening, and compact dimensions to reduce shipping cost. Many products now need both: attractive unboxing experience that survives courier handling.
02: Design & Branding
Design & Branding
How much should I spend on packaging design?
For a standard product: £200-500 for design, £0.30-£2.00 per unit for production depending on complexity. Premium packaging (rigid boxes, inserts, tissue) can cost £3-5/unit. The packaging should match your price point. £15 product in a £3 box looks generous. £15 product in a £0.10 poly bag looks cheap.
Does branded packaging actually increase sales?
Branded packaging doesn't directly increase marketplace sales (customers decide before seeing it). But it dramatically affects repeat purchase rate, unboxing social shares, and perceived value. On your own site, branded packaging reduces return rates by 15-20% because customers feel they received what they expected.
What information must be on my packaging legally?
UK law requires: business name and address, product contents/materials where applicable, weight/volume, safety warnings, CE/UKCA marking where required, country of origin, and recycling symbols. Failing to include required information can result in marketplace listing removal, customs seizure, or trading standards action.
03: Sustainability & Compliance
Sustainability & Compliance
What packaging regulations apply in the UK?
The UK Packaging Waste Regulations require businesses handling 50+ tonnes of packaging annually to register and pay compliance fees. All packaging must display OPRL recycling labels. EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) obligations are tightening. Non-compliance penalties can reach £50,000 per offence.
How do I make packaging more sustainable without increasing costs?
Switch from plastic to paper-based void fill (often cheaper). Right-size boxes to reduce material and shipping costs. Use mono-material packaging (easier to recycle). Remove unnecessary inserts. Sustainable packaging can actually reduce costs when you eliminate over-packaging. You're often paying for waste.
What are the fire-safety requirements for packaging?
UK Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 apply to upholstered furniture and some soft furnishings. Products must pass flammability tests and display permanent labels with fire safety information. Non-compliant products can be seized at customs. New regulations expected in 2026 will extend requirements to online-only sellers.
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Language matters as much as mechanics.
Every term used in these answers has a consistent definition in the Glossary.