Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program has raised its maximum box length from 25 inches to 36 inches for U.S. shipments, marking a key packaging policy shift that could deliver cost and compliance advantages for sellers. The change enables brands to standardize packaging across platforms and make better use of available space within Amazon’s fulfillment network. Other package dimensions, width, height, and weight, remain unchanged.
More Space, Less Friction
By expanding the allowable length, Amazon is giving sellers more flexibility to reduce box counts, consolidate shipments, and better align with packaging norms used across other sales channels. Amazon clarified that any packages already shipped under the new guidelines will be processed without penalty as long as they remain within standard-size parameters.
Third-party sellers and fulfillment experts were quick to highlight the operational upside. Deckgrow, an Amazon-focused account management firm, noted that brands using Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) can now “utilize up to 95% of the allowed dimensions and weight,” enabling cost savings on inbound and outbound AWD processing, which is priced per box. For sellers of longer items, such as curtain rods, yoga mats, or rolled posters, the change reduces the need for costly custom packaging or split shipments that increase handling fees.
Compliance and Carrier Constraints Still Apply
Despite the increased length limit, Amazon warned that boxes must remain appropriately sized in relation to their contents. While a box may exceed 36 inches if it contains a single oversized item, excessively large boxes could still result in added fees, restricted shipping privileges, or outright rejection at fulfillment centers. The enforcement of these guidelines remains strict, as oversized packaging disrupts automation and space optimization in Amazon’s network.
The new policy doesn’t negate broader carrier constraints. Fulfillment providers such as FedEx and UPS have raised surcharges for oversized and non-standard packages, especially those requiring manual handling. As parcel carriers focus on efficiency and capacity management, shippers using the new FBA limit will still need to weigh the downstream impact of dimensional pricing and handling costs.
Packaging Policy as a Competitive Lever
The seemingly modest 11-inch adjustment reflects a broader trend: packaging policies are increasingly being used as strategic levers to drive fulfillment efficiency. For sellers operating across multiple platforms, harmonizing box sizes can simplify inventory planning and reduce fragmentation in logistics workflows. As fulfillment ecosystems grow more complex and cost-sensitive, even small changes in dimensional thresholds can have ripple effects across warehousing, transportation, and last-mile delivery.
