Dated products are where FBA gets unforgiving. Amazon checks expiration dates at receipt, removes units as they approach expiry and expects dates in an accepted format on every unit and master carton. We track every lot and expiration date upstream and release inventory first-expired, first-out, so the freshest-possible stock goes to Amazon and nothing ages out in a warehouse.
Expiration-date rules for FBA
Expiration-date rules for FBA cover format, placement and remaining shelf life. Amazon accepts dates in MM-DD-YYYY or MM-YYYY style formats and requires them on each unit and on the outside of master cartons in large, legible type. Units must also arrive with a minimum amount of remaining shelf life, and Amazon removes or disposes of units as they get close to expiry.
Those thresholds vary by category and change over time, so always confirm the current numbers in Seller Central. The practical point is simple: a lot that is fine for a Shopify order may already be too short-dated for Amazon. We check remaining shelf life before each replenishment shipment is built and route short-dated lots to channels that can still sell them.
FEFO release and lot traceability
FEFO release means the lot that expires first ships first, which is the only safe way to rotate dated stock. Every inbound lot is recorded with its expiration date at receiving, stored as a separate lot and allocated in date order when we build FBA shipments or pick DTC orders.
Lot traceability also matters if something goes wrong. If a supplier flags a batch or you need to pull a lot from sale, we can tell you which lot numbers went into which Amazon shipments and which are still upstream, so a withdrawal is surgical instead of account-wide. FDA-registered facilities are available in select markets for food and dietary supplement storage.
Compliance items that stay with the brand
Some compliance items stay with the brand rather than the warehouse, and it helps to be clear about the split. Label claims, Supplement Facts panels, manufacturing under the dietary supplement cGMP rule, and any third-party testing or verification that Amazon's dietary supplement policy requires for your listings are seller responsibilities.
Our role is the physical side: correct FNSKU labeling, intact tamper seals, sealed liquids and powders, expiration labeling on cartons, clean lot records and temperature-appropriate storage. Climate-controlled storage is available in select markets for gummies, softgels, chocolate and other heat-sensitive products, which is worth planning around in Sun Belt summers.
Frequently asked questions
How much shelf life must supplements have when they reach Amazon?
Amazon requires a minimum remaining shelf life at receipt that varies by category, commonly cited as around 90 days for many products. Confirm the current requirement in Seller Central before each season.
Do you put expiration dates on master cartons?
Yes. Master cartons are labeled with the expiration date in an Amazon-accepted format, and mixed-lot cartons are avoided for dated SKUs.
Can short-dated stock go somewhere other than Amazon?
Yes. Lots that are too short-dated for FBA can be routed to Shopify, wholesale or discount channels from the same upstream inventory pool.