The Amazon FBA Small and Light program presents a huge opportunity for sellers with the right product.
The small and light program uses lower FBA fees to ensure that every type of online seller can make a profit.
Before the introductory of this program, Amazon’s fee schedule looked pretty unbalanced for sellers of small, low price products.
FBA Small and light has changed the game for a lot of sellers, in this article I’m going to take you through everything you need to know.
Let’s get started.
What Is Amazon FBA Small and Light?
The Amazon FBA Small and Light program is open to any seller who is selling a product for $7 or less.
The weight of the product should also be less than 280g and have dimensions that are no greater than 16” x 9” x 4”.
These specifics do differ depending on the marketplace you wish to sell within, more on that further down.
With the help of an alternate Prime delivery timeline, the Small and Light program can offer sellers much lower FBA fees.
Any product sold via this program is marked as Prime-eligible and customers can expect delivery in 2 – 3 business days.
The standard Prime shipping guarantee is 2 days, so, unfortunately, you need to weigh up whether you want to pay lower fees or provide customers with faster shipping.
Any customer that doesn’t have Prime will receive free shipping within 6 – 8 business days if they purchase a Small and Light product (In my experience it’s usually quicker than that).
Even though shipping times are slightly longer with this program, customers don’t need to order a minimum number of items, which is a bonus.
Should You Use FBA Small and Light?
If you are planning to sell smaller, cheaper products, and still want to go down the FBA route, the Small and Light program could be a good choice for you.
Along with the higher profit margins, your customers benefit from free shipping to anywhere in the U.S.
Your products are also visible to Prime members, who are Amazon’s most loyal and active customers.
With the right product research and the backing of Amazon Prime, it is possible to generate much higher profit margins.
FBA Small and Light Requirements
The specific requirements of the FBA Small and Light program differ per country.
Since the U.S. and UK markets are amongst the biggest, I have included these specific requirements below, including pricing.
If you choose to ship mixed orders, keep in mind that fees are charged based on items priced higher than $5 and less than or equal to $7.
Long-term storage fees for Small and Light sellers are currently at $0.25 per unit.
You should also be aware of a few product restrictions – not all products can be sold via this program.
Any products that fall into these categories won’t be accepted:
- Adult products
- Used or second-hand products (More on selling second-hand products on Amazon here)
- Hazmat products
- Temperature-sensitive products
- Existing FBA products that use manufacturer barcodes
- Any ASIN that has been on the Amazon site for more than 90 days
If you are starting on Amazon, I suggest you read my articles on business licenses and Brand Registry. Even though you are starting an online business, there are still specific business-related requirements that need to be met.
Preparing Your Small and Light Packages
The preparation and packaging requirements of the Small and Light program are very similar to the standard FBA program. However, there are several small differences to be aware of:
- There is a minimum requirement of 24 units per SKU for each shipment.
- Same-ASIN units should be packaged together in clear plastic bags or seller case packs.
- Every bag or case requires a label with the total product quantity.
- Only poly or Jiffy bags are accepted for packages sent through the Small and Light program.
- Any damaged items received at the fulfilment centre will be disposed of at the seller’s expense. This speaks to the importance of secure and protective packaging.
- Shipping plans and shipment contents need to match for shipments to be accepted.
- Shipping boxes can’t exceed 63.5cm on any side or weigh more than 22kgs.
You can view the full list of shipment requirements in this Shipment Preparation Guide.
Enrolling in the Small and Light Program
Before you go through the enrolment process, start by making sure your products meet the requirements for your chosen Amazon marketplace.
To enrol in the FBA Small and Light program, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Create an Amazon account. To enrol in the Small and Light program, you need to login to Seller Central. This requires you to create an Amazon account.
- Sign Up for Small and Light. Once you are set up on Seller Central, you need to enrol into the Amazon FBA program. To make it a Small and Light account, modify the offers for any existing products. If you have not created any offers as yet or want to sell through multiple channels, move onto the next step.
- Create Offers in Small and Light. To submit offers for approval in FBA Small and Light, follow the steps in this guide.
- Send Your Inventory. Once you are approved for the Small and Light program, you can use the packing and shipping requirements to send your inventory to a fulfilment centre.
You are now ready to start selling and earning.
Related: Everything You Need To Know About Amazon FBA Labels
Is the FBA Small and Light Program Worth It?
Small and Light is the best way to sell on Amazon if you are set on small, light, inexpensive products, and still want to generate good returns.
In general, FBA is a good program because it allows you to focus on the more important aspects of your online business.
If Amazon won’t be your sole source of income, Small and Light is an ideal way to earn a passive income.
The program is practical, economical, and efficient for the right type of seller.
Still not convinced that Amazon FBA is worth it? This in-depth guide should help you make up your mind.
