Bad FBA prep quotes usually do not start with bad math. They start with missing information. If a prep center has to guess how many SKUs you have, whether units need FNSKU labels, how cartons arrive, how long inventory will sit in storage, or who creates Amazon shipment plans, the quote will either be vague, padded, or full of later add-ons.

An effective FBA prep RFP template gives every provider the same operating picture before they price the work. That makes quotes easier to compare and helps you spot which prep centers understand your SKU mix, inbound flow, and Amazon workflow before you commit inventory to them.

Direct answer

To get a useful FBA prep quote, send SKU counts, ASINs if available, product dimensions and weights, case-pack details, monthly unit volume, average inbound shipment size, prep requirements, labeling needs, bundling or kitting instructions, storage expectations, inbound sources, and who will handle Amazon shipment creation, box content information, carton labels, and carrier coordination. A stronger FBA prep quote template helps providers price receiving, labor, materials, storage, minimums, and special handling more accurately.

What an FBA prep RFP is and when to use one

An FBA prep RFP is a structured quote request sent to prep centers that handle inventory before it goes to Amazon fulfillment centers. It is not the same as asking, “What do you charge per unit?” It gives providers the operational details they need to quote the full workflow: receiving, inspection, labeling, packaging, bundling, storage, Amazon shipment support, and outbound movement to Amazon.

Use a formal request when you are comparing multiple prep centers, launching a new product line, changing from self-prep to outsourced prep, importing inventory, adding bundles, or moving away from a provider that produced surprise fees. Sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon need to account for Amazon-specific prep and shipment requirements, but the exact work depends on the product, packaging, routing, and seller workflow.

Why incomplete quote requests lead to bad pricing

A prep center cannot price accurately if the request leaves out the work. “500 units per month” could mean one simple SKU arriving in clean case packs, or 60 SKUs arriving in mixed cartons that need sorting, FNSKU labeling, poly bagging, bubble wrap, bundle assembly, quality checks, storage, and carton forwarding.

Incomplete requests create three common problems:

• Quotes that are not comparable: One provider includes materials, another excludes them, and a third assumes no storage.
• Low estimates that increase later: Missing details often become add-on fees once inventory arrives.
• Weak provider fit: A provider may quote the work without realizing your inbound freight, SKU count, or prep complexity does not fit their operation.

The goal is not to write a legal contract in the first email. The goal is to give enough detail that each provider can respond with realistic pricing, clear assumptions, and practical questions.

RFP fields to include in your quote request

Use the sections below as an Amazon seller prep questionnaire before you contact providers. If you do not know every answer yet, say so. A disclosed unknown is better than leaving the provider to guess.

1. Seller and account information

Start with the basic context. Include your company name, contact person, selling marketplace, product category, target start date, and whether you are already selling through FBA or preparing for launch. If you sell through multiple marketplaces, explain whether the prep center is quoting only Amazon-bound inventory or also non-Amazon fulfillment work.

Helpful fields include:

• Company name and contact information
• Amazon marketplace or marketplaces served
• Current monthly FBA volume, if active
• Expected go-live date or transition date
• Whether you use a 3PL, freight forwarder, customs broker, or other logistics partners

2. SKU-level product details

Prep complexity often lives at the SKU level. A provider needs to know how many different items they will handle and whether those products require different workflows.

Include a spreadsheet with these fields where possible:

• Seller SKU
• ASIN, if available
• Product name or short description
• Unit dimensions and weight
• Retail packaging type
• Fragile, sharp, liquid, meltable, oversized, or other special handling notes
• Expiration date, lot tracking, or batch tracking requirements, if relevant
• Whether the product arrives retail-ready or needs prep before Amazon

Do not assume all SKUs can be priced the same way. A small boxed accessory, a glass product, a multipack, and an expiration-dated consumable may require different labor, materials, and storage treatment.

3. Case pack, carton, and pallet details

Receiving costs depend heavily on how freight arrives. A clean pallet of single-SKU master cartons is different from parcel shipments with mixed cartons and no clear carton markings.

Your prep center quote request should describe:

• Units per case or master carton
• Whether cartons are single-SKU or mixed-SKU
• Average cartons per inbound shipment
• Whether inbound arrives by parcel, LTL, FTL, ocean container, or air freight
• Whether pallets are floor-loaded, palletized, shrink-wrapped, or need sorting
• Carton dimensions and weights, if known
• Whether carton labels, packing lists, or supplier labels are consistent

4. Exact prep work required

This is where many quotes break down. List the specific actions you expect the prep center to perform, not just “FBA prep.” Amazon-bound products may require different prep steps depending on the item, packaging, and Amazon guidance for the listing.

Common prep tasks to define include:

• FNSKU labeling
• Manufacturer barcode coverage or label placement requirements
• Poly bagging
• Suffocation warning labels where applicable
• Bubble wrap or protective packaging
• Bundling, multipacks, or kitting
• Insert placement
• Quality checks or damage inspection
• Sticker removal or relabeling
• Carton forwarding without unit-level prep
• Returns inspection or refurbishment, if needed

5. Expected volume and seasonality

Volume helps providers price labor and capacity. Be specific about both current and expected activity. If you are launching, separate conservative launch volume from upside scenarios.

Include:

• Expected monthly units
• Expected monthly inbound shipments
• Average units per inbound shipment
• Average SKUs per shipment
• Peak season months
• Planned launch spikes, promotions, or Prime event surges
• Whether you need rush receiving or rush prep at certain times

If your volume is uncertain, provide ranges. For example, “2,000 to 3,000 units per month after launch, with an initial 8,000-unit inbound shipment.”

6. Storage expectations

Storage is often misunderstood in prep quotes. Some sellers need only short-term staging before inventory moves to Amazon. Others need overflow storage because they import larger quantities than Amazon should receive at once.

Clarify whether you need:

• Short-term staging only
• Carton storage
• Pallet storage
• Bin or shelf storage
• Overflow inventory management
• Temperature-sensitive or special handling space, if applicable
• First-expired, first-out handling for expiration-dated goods, if relevant

Ask providers to state how storage is billed: per pallet, bin, carton, cubic foot, or another basis. Also ask when storage charges begin after receiving.

7. Inbound sources and freight flow

Where inventory comes from affects receiving, appointment coordination, unloading, and communication. A seller receiving small parcel shipments from a domestic supplier has a different workflow than a seller importing containers from overseas.

In the RFP, state whether inbound inventory comes from:

• Domestic suppliers
• Overseas manufacturers
• Freight forwarders
• Amazon removal orders
• Customer returns
• Parcel carriers
• LTL or full truckload carriers
• Ocean containers or transload partners

If you use a freight forwarder or customs broker, explain whether the prep center will coordinate delivery appointments, receive containers, unload floor-loaded freight, or only receive palletized shipments.

8. Amazon workflow responsibilities

Do not assume every prep center handles Amazon workflow tasks the same way. Some sellers create shipments themselves and send labels. Others want the prep center to manage more of the Amazon-side process.

Ask providers to quote and explain responsibility for:

• Amazon shipment plan creation
• Box content information
• FBA carton label printing and application
• Pallet labels, if applicable
• Shipment coordination with Amazon-partnered or non-partnered carriers
• Carrier pickup scheduling
• Tracking updates and shipment confirmation
• Exception handling if Amazon changes routing or rejects shipment details

This is also where you should ask operational questions after the quote comes back. For a deeper discovery call list, see Questions to Ask an FBA Prep Center.

Pricing format to request from each prep center

The best RFPs do not just ask for “your rates.” They ask each provider to separate pricing by fee type. That makes it easier to compare quotes and identify assumptions.

Request pricing for:

• Receiving: Per carton, pallet, container, hour, or shipment
• Unit prep: FNSKU labeling, bagging, wrapping, bundling, kitting, or other per-unit work
• Materials: Labels, poly bags, bubble wrap, cartons, tape, inserts, dunnage, or pallets
• Storage: Pallet, carton, bin, shelf, cubic-foot, or other storage basis
• Amazon shipment support: Shipment creation, box content, carton labels, and coordination
• Minimums: Monthly minimums, shipment minimums, or labor minimums
• Account setup: Onboarding, system setup, SOP creation, or test shipment fees
• Rush work: Expedited receiving, expedited prep, weekend work, or priority outbound handling
• Exception fees: Rework, unexpected mixed cartons, missing packing lists, supplier errors, or non-compliant packaging

Also ask the provider to list all assumptions. For example, a quote might assume that cartons are clearly labeled, units arrive undamaged, no relabeling is needed beyond FNSKU application, and all Amazon labels are supplied by the seller. Those assumptions matter as much as the rate sheet.

Copy-ready example email for your quote request

Use this email as a starting point and attach your SKU spreadsheet. Keep the message concise, but give enough detail for the provider to respond intelligently.

Subject: FBA prep quote request for [company name] — [estimated monthly units]

Hello [provider name],

We are evaluating FBA prep partners for our Amazon inventory and would like a quote based on the workflow below. I have attached a SKU file with product dimensions, weights, ASINs where available, case-pack details, and prep notes.

Company: [company name]
Amazon marketplace: [U.S., Canada, etc.]
Target start date: [date]
SKU count: [number]
Expected monthly units: [range]
Average inbound shipment size: [cartons, pallets, or units]
Inbound source: [domestic supplier, import container, parcel, LTL, etc.]

We need pricing for receiving, FNSKU labeling, [poly bagging/bubble wrap/bundling/kitting/quality checks as applicable], storage, materials, Amazon carton labeling, box content support, outbound coordination to Amazon, monthly minimums, setup fees, and rush or exception fees.

Please also identify any assumptions in your quote, what information you still need from us, your typical receiving-to-ready processing time, and whether this SKU mix fits your current operation.

Thank you,
[name]

Common mistakes to avoid

A strong RFP does not have to be complicated, but it should avoid the gaps that cause bad comparisons. Watch for these mistakes before sending your request:

• Only sending monthly unit volume: Units alone do not explain SKU complexity, prep work, storage, or inbound handling.
• Leaving out dimensions and weights: Size affects handling, storage, packaging, and outbound freight.
• Not separating simple SKUs from complex SKUs: Bundles, fragile items, liquids, and expiration-dated products may need different pricing.
• Ignoring how freight arrives: Parcel, palletized LTL, floor-loaded containers, and mixed cartons all create different receiving work.
• Assuming Amazon workflow support is included: Shipment creation, box content, and label handling should be defined.
• Not asking about minimums: A low per-unit rate can be less useful if monthly minimums or setup fees do not fit your volume.
• Comparing only the headline prep fee: Materials, storage, receiving, exception charges, and rush fees often change the total cost.

Simple RFP checklist

Before sending your request, confirm that your RFP includes the following:

• Company and contact details
• Amazon marketplace and launch or transition timeline
• Total SKU count and SKU spreadsheet
• ASINs where available
• Unit dimensions and weights
• Carton dimensions, case packs, and mixed-carton notes
• Prep tasks by SKU or product group
• Expected monthly units and inbound frequency
• Peak season or launch spike estimates
• Storage requirements and expected dwell time
• Inbound source and freight mode
• Amazon shipment workflow responsibilities
• Requested pricing format and fee categories
• Questions about assumptions, turnaround time, and exception handling

FAQ

What information should sellers send to get a useful FBA prep quote?

Send SKU count, ASINs if available, product dimensions and weights, case-pack details, inbound shipment type, exact prep work, monthly volume, storage needs, and Amazon workflow responsibilities. The more specific the request, the easier it is to compare quotes.

Should I send the same RFP to every prep center?

Yes, send the same core request so pricing is comparable. You can add provider-specific questions later, but the first quote round should use the same volume assumptions, prep requirements, and pricing categories.

Do I need exact monthly volume before requesting quotes?

No. If volume is uncertain, provide a realistic range and explain whether the numbers are current, forecasted, seasonal, or tied to a launch. Providers can usually quote better from a range than from no estimate at all.

What should I compare besides the per-unit prep fee?

Compare receiving fees, materials, storage, minimums, setup fees, rush fees, exception charges, Amazon shipment support, turnaround times, inbound freight handling, and whether the provider is equipped for your SKU mix.