What Is a Real FBA Prep SLA?
Most prep centers guarantee prep time. We guarantee the entire cycle.
When a prep center says "48h turnaround," they mean 48 hours to prep your inventory. But prep is only one step. What about shipping? What about Amazon check-in? PrepVia's FastLane 35H is an end-to-end SLA that covers every step from check-in at our facility to delivered status at Amazon.
What Happens to Your Inventory
Follow the full journey from arrival at a prep center to being live on Amazon. See exactly where a "prep SLA" ends — and where PrepVia's SLA keeps going.
Arrives at PrepVia
Shipment is delivered and marked received at our Medley, FL facility.
Inspection & Receiving
Units counted, inspected for damage, and logged into the system.
Prep & Label
FNSKU labeling, poly-bagging, bundling, and compliance packaging.
Ship to Amazon FC
FTL dispatch to eligible fulfillment centers via Amazon Freight.
Amazon Check-In
Inventory marked as delivered/received at the Amazon fulfillment center.
Steps 4-5 are where most sellers lose days — and money.
A "48h prep SLA" ends at Step 3. Shipping and Amazon check-in (Steps 4-5) can add 5-12 more days. PrepVia's FastLane 35H covers the entire journey — all 5 steps — in 35 hours.
Prep-Only SLA vs. End-to-End SLA
Not all SLA guarantees are created equal. Here's what you're actually getting.
Why Prep-Only SLAs Are Misleading
A fast prep time means nothing if the rest of the process takes a week. Here's what most prep centers don't tell you.
See real data: Florida vs Pennsylvania prep center timeline →
A 48h Prep SLA Means Nothing If Shipping Takes 5 Days
Most prep centers stop the clock the moment your labels are applied. But your inventory is still sitting in their warehouse waiting for a carrier pickup. That wait can add 3-5 business days before it even leaves the building.
Amazon Receiving Can Add 2-7 More Days
Even after your shipment arrives at the Amazon fulfillment center, check-in can take days. If the prep center's SLA doesn't cover this, you're absorbing all of that delay — with zero recourse.
Total Time: 7-14 Days at a Typical Prep Center
Add it up: 2 days prep + 3-5 days shipping + 2-7 days Amazon receiving = 7-14 days from your products arriving at the prep center to being live on Amazon. With PrepVia FastLane: 35 hours total.
The Real Question Isn't "How Fast Do You Prep?"
It's "how fast is my inventory live on Amazon?" That's the only metric that impacts your cash flow, your Buy Box share, and your ability to restock before competitors. PrepVia measures — and guarantees — the metric that matters.
How FastLane 35H Works
Four steps to activate the only end-to-end FBA prep SLA in the industry.
Notify 3+ Days Before
Inform PrepVia at least 3 days before your shipment arrives at our facility.
Submit Packing List
Provide carton count, dimensions, and weights so we can plan resources in advance.
Create Shipment Early
Create your Amazon shipment before physical arrival (Pre-Fulfillment Request).
35H Clock Starts
The 35-hour SLA clock starts when your shipment is marked delivered at PrepVia.
The Numbers Behind the Guarantee
The infrastructure and logistics that make a 35-hour end-to-end SLA possible.
13,200units/hr
Labeling throughput
labeling-only workflows
~7min
Shipment creation
PrepVia Express engine
~30miles
From Amazon TMB8
Homestead, FL
~90miles
From Amazon PBI3
Port Saint Lucie, FL
5-12hours
FTL transit to Amazon
after departure
0min
Wait between receiving & prep
Pre-Fulfillment Requests
What Happens If We Miss the SLA?
No fine print. No excuses. Here's exactly what happens.
Prep is free
No questions asked. The prep charge is waived entirely.
Up to 40,000 units per shipment
FastLane is built for high-volume sellers.
Eligible FCs in FL, NC, GA, and AL
Strategic coverage for the fastest transit times.
Full program details available
See FastLane 35H program page for eligibility and requirements.
The Cost of Slow Prep
Every day your inventory sits in a prep center instead of being live on Amazon, you're losing money.
Daily lost opportunity ($100K at 30% ROI)
$82/day
10 days at a typical prep center
$820 lost per batch
12 batches/year
$9,840 in annual opportunity cost
With PrepVia: 35 hours vs 10 days
Recover that cost
Based on $100,000 inventory value at 30% annual ROI. Actual results vary by product category and sales velocity.
One 3PL for All Your Channels
Amazon Seller
eBay
Walmart
Etsy
Shopify
Woo Commerce
TikTok Shop
Direct to Consumer
Distribution
Import / Export
Amazon Seller
eBay
Walmart
Etsy
Shopify
Woo Commerce
TikTok Shop
Direct to Consumer
Distribution
Import / Export
FBA Prep SLA — Common Questions
Your Prep Center Should Follow the Calendar
Most prep centers collapse during peak season. SLAs that work in March break down in October. PrepVia maintains FastLane 35H year-round — including Q4, Prime Day, and Black Friday.
1 Week Late in November
Missing Black Friday week can cost $10,000–$100,000+ in lost sales depending on your catalog. Your competitors are in stock. You're waiting for prep.
BSR Collapse During Stockout
Going out of stock during peak destroys your Best Seller Rank. Rebuilding BSR costs 3x more than building it the first time. One slow prep cycle can set you back months.
PrepVia Peak Season Guarantee
FastLane 35H runs 365 days a year — including Q4, Prime Day, and Black Friday. Same SLA. Same guarantee. No peak surcharges. Your inventory moves at the same speed in December as it does in March.
Explore Our Amazon Prep Services
Speed guarantees are just part of the picture. Explore the full range of Amazon prep, 3PL, and FBA services at PrepVia.
Fastest FBA Prep Center
See how PrepVia achieves the fastest FBA prep in the US with automation and strategic FC proximity.
Amazon Prep Service
Complete FBA prep — inspection, labeling, bundling, and compliance packaging. 24-48 hour SLA.
Amazon 3PL
Full-service third-party logistics for Amazon sellers. Receiving, prep, labeling, and fulfillment.
Ready for an SLA That Actually Means Something?
35 hours. End-to-end. Prep + transit + Amazon check-in — or prep is free.