About Elite Prep Center
What does Elite Prep Center do?
Elite Prep Center helps e-commerce sellers receive, prep, label, store, and ship inventory to Amazon FBA, Walmart WFS, TikTok Shop, Shopify, Woo Commerce and other sales channels. We support prep, carton forwarding, palletization, storage, returns, and custom logistics workflows. We also offer direct-to-consumer (DTC) fulfillment.
Who is EPC best suited for?
EPC is best for Amazon, Walmart, and e-commerce sellers who need a reliable U.S.-based prep partner. We support online arbitrage sellers, wholesale sellers, supplement brands, apparel and footwear sellers, fragile products, carton forwarding accounts, and growing brands that need hands-on operational support.
Do you work with new sellers?
Yes. We work with new sellers and make the first shipment simple. We explain how to send inventory, how to label shipments, what information we need, and how the prep process works.
Do you work with high-volume sellers?
Yes. EPC can support recurring and higher-volume accounts with repeatable workflows, shared tracking, account-specific instructions, and scalable prep processes.
Why should I choose EPC over another prep center?
EPC focuses on responsive communication, clear pricing, organized inventory tracking, marketplace prep experience, and practical warehouse execution. We help sellers save time, reduce logistics issues, and keep inventory moving.
Services
What services does EPC provide?
EPC supports Amazon FBA prep, Walmart WFS prep, carton forwarding, FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bundling, kitting, palletization, storage, removals, returns, fragile packaging, supplement prep, apparel and footwear prep, and custom e-commerce logistics projects.
What is included in standard Amazon FBA prep?
Standard FBA prep can include receiving, basic count verification, inspection, FNSKU labeling, polybagging when required, cartonization, palletization when needed, shipment preparation support, staging, and outbound release.
Can EPC prep inventory for Walmart WFS?
Yes. EPC can support Walmart WFS workflows, including receiving, carton labeling, item labeling when required, palletization, forwarding, and shipment staging.
What is carton forwarding?
Carton forwarding means EPC receives cartons from your supplier, identifies your account, applies or replaces required labels, measures or weighs cartons when needed, and forwards the cartons to Amazon, Walmart, another warehouse, or another destination.
What is the difference between unit prep and carton forwarding?
Unit prep involves work on each sellable unit, such as FNSKU labeling, polybagging, bundling, bubble wrapping, or boxing. Carton forwarding focuses on the master carton or case level, such as relabeling, measuring, weighing, staging, and forwarding.
Can EPC handle kitting and bundling?
Yes. EPC can handle kitting and bundling when instructions are clear. We confirm the number of components, packaging requirements, label placement, bundle rules, and quality-check process before starting.
Can EPC support DTC or Shopify fulfillment?
Yes, when the process is clearly defined. DTC fulfillment can include pick/pack, packaging, carrier labels, returns, customer-specific SOPs, and integration needs.
Pricing
How does EPC pricing work?
EPC provides clear, all-inclusive pricing based on your workflow. Pricing depends on product type, volume, packaging materials, marketplace requirements, storage needs, and whether the work involves prep, forwarding, returns, fulfillment, or special handling.
Do you have minimum order quantities?
No. EPC can support small first shipments, test orders, one-time projects, and recurring volume accounts.
Do you offer all-inclusive pricing?
Yes. Our goal is to give you a clear price upfront with no surprise charges. If additional work is needed outside the original scope, we explain it before moving forward.
What affects the final price?
Pricing depends on unit count, carton count, product size, product category, materials required, prep complexity, storage duration, shipment type, account-management needs, and whether special handling is required.
Are there hidden fees?
No. EPC’s goal is simple pricing. We define what is included upfront, and any additional work is quoted clearly before it is performed.
When do I receive an invoice?
Billing terms are confirmed during onboarding. New, small, or one-time projects may require payment before outbound release. Recurring accounts may be billed on an agreed schedule.
Getting Started
How do I get started with EPC?
Tell us what you sell, where the inventory needs to go, what prep is required, your expected volume, and when your first shipment is coming. We will confirm pricing, set up tracking, provide shipping instructions, and guide your first inbound shipment.
What information does EPC need during onboarding?
We collect your contact information, business name, billing email, marketplace details, store name, product type, monthly volume, first shipment timing, services needed, special handling requirements, and account access or label process.
How should I address inbound shipments?
Every inbound shipment should clearly include your business name, store name, or assigned account name in the Attn/c/o line. This helps EPC identify your inventory quickly and prevents delays. Our address is 1736 Dutch Mill Road, Franklinville, NJ 08322
What happens when my inventory arrives?
EPC receives the shipment, identifies your account, checks carton count and visible condition, records the shipment, stages the inventory, and begins prep once labels and instructions are available.
What if a shipment arrives damaged?
EPC documents visible damage, takes photos when needed, updates the tracker, and notifies you. Carrier damage is usually handled through the carrier claim process or your cargo/inventory insurance.
How do I track my inventory?
EPC uses shared trackers or account-specific systems to show inbound shipments, received quantities, SKU details, prep status, labels, weights, dimensions, outbound status, and billing counts.
Amazon, Walmart, and Account Access
Who creates the Amazon or Walmart shipment plan?
Either EPC or the customer can create the shipment plan. If EPC creates it, we need appropriate account access or enough shipment data. If the customer creates it, they provide the required labels, BOLs, and instructions.
Can EPC apply FNSKU labels?
Yes. EPC can apply FNSKU labels to individual units when labels are provided or generated through authorized account access.
Do I need to give EPC access to Seller Central or Walmart Seller Center?
Not always. Many customers create shipments themselves and send EPC the labels and instructions. If EPC needs access, we can gain limited FBA shipment access through Amazon’s service provider network portal.
How does EPC protect account access and private data?
EPC only asks for the access needed to perform the service. We avoid unnecessary permissions and encourage secure access methods for Seller Central, Walmart Seller Center.
Turnaround and Storage
What is EPC’s turnaround time?
Turnaround depends on volume, complexity, label availability, materials, and warehouse workload. EPC confirms realistic expectations during onboarding and keeps customers updated during active work. We target shipping DTC orders within 24 hours and processing Amazon FBA prep orders within 48 hours, once inventory is received, identified, and all required labels and instructions are available.
When does turnaround time start?
Turnaround starts when inventory is received, identified, logged, and all required labels, instructions, and account access are available. It does not start if inventory arrives without clear instructions or required labels.
Can EPC rush an order?
Yes, if capacity allows. Rush work may include a surcharge, especially for same-day, next-day, palletization, rework, or urgent high-volume shipments.
Does EPC offer storage?
Yes. EPC can store inventory short-term or longer-term depending on the account. Storage terms are defined by pallet, duration, and workflow.
Is storage included in prep pricing?
Short-term staging may be included in some quotes, but long-term storage is not automatically included. EPC confirms any free storage period, pallet rates, carton rates, or storage start date upfront.
Freight, Pallets, and Carriers
Can EPC receive pallets?
Yes. EPC can receive palletized freight. Customers should provide carrier details, BOLs, pallet counts, delivery information, and appointment details when required.
Can EPC palletize shipments?
Yes. EPC can palletize Amazon FBA, Walmart WFS, and other outbound shipments when pallet labels, BOLs, carrier pickup details, and shipment requirements are provided.
What does EPC need for an LTL pickup?
EPC needs the carrier name, pickup date, BOL, pallet labels, destination labels, pallet count, pallet dimensions, pallet weights, and any appointment or reference numbers.
Can EPC use UPS, FedEx, Amazon Freight, or other carriers?
Yes. EPC can work with common carriers depending on the shipment type. Customers may provide labels, or EPC can help coordinate shipping when the charges and process are agreed upfront.
Supplements, Fragile Items, and Special Categories
Can EPC support supplement brands?
Yes. EPC can support supplement brands with storage, Amazon prep, lot and expiration tracking, inventory visibility, labeling, packaging, and shipment workflows. Our warehouse is an FDA registered facility.
What information does EPC need for supplements?
EPC needs the SKU list, bottle or pouch details, lot numbers, expiration dates, storage expectations, labeling requirements, Amazon packaging requirements, case-pack details, and any hold or recall instructions.
Does EPC perform GMP manufacturing or product testing?
No. EPC’s role is prep, storage, packaging, and logistics. Product owners are responsible for manufacturing compliance, COAs, product claims, labeling, formulation, and regulatory obligations.
Can EPC handle fragile products?
Yes. EPC can support fragile products such as bottles, collectibles, and delicate packaging. Fragile work is quoted carefully because it may require bubble wrap, individual boxes, extra labor, photo documentation, or special packaging materials.
Can EPC support apparel and footwear?
Yes. EPC can support apparel and footwear prep, including receiving, size/color verification, folding, polybagging, labeling, cartonization, and marketplace shipment prep.
Can EPC handle restricted or sensitive products?
EPC reviews sensitive products case by case. Supplements, food, cosmetics, liquids, batteries, aerosols, chemicals, medical products, high-value electronics, luxury goods, children’s products, and restricted marketplace categories may require extra review before acceptance.
Returns, Removals, and Problem Inventory
Can EPC process Amazon FBA removals?
Yes. EPC can receive FBA removals, record inventory, relabel or re-prep units, forward inventory, store inventory, or support liquidation when approved by the product owner.
Can EPC process customer returns?
Yes, if a returns workflow is defined. Return processing can include receiving, inspection, photos, grading, repackaging, relabeling, restocking, liquidation, disposal, or forwarding.
Are returns included in standard prep pricing?
Usually no. Returns are handled separately because each return may require inspection, photos, repackaging, grading, disposal, liquidation, or restocking.
Can EPC dispose of or liquidate inventory?
Yes, with written authorization from the product owner. Disposal, liquidation, resale, or donation must be approved in writing and may involve additional fees or commission terms.
Insurance, Liability, and Compliance
Does EPC insure customer inventory?
EPC carries warehouse legal liability, inland marine, crime or related coverage depending on the policy in force. However, EPC’s insurance does not automatically cover every product value or every cause of loss.
What insurance should I carry as the product owner?
Product owners should carry product liability insurance and inventory/cargo coverage appropriate for their product value, category, and transit/storage risk.
Does EPC cover carrier damage?
Carrier damage is usually handled through the carrier claim process or the customer’s cargo insurance unless EPC caused the damage through negligence or poor packaging within the agreed scope.
Does EPC guarantee Amazon or Walmart will receive inventory without issue?
No prep center can fully control Amazon or Walmart receiving outcomes. EPC can follow instructions, apply labels properly, provide weights and dimensions, and document outbound release, but marketplace receiving performance is outside EPC’s control.
Who is responsible for product compliance?
The product owner is responsible for product safety, claims, restricted product status, listing compliance, marketplace account health, and regulatory obligations. EPC follows prep and labeling instructions but does not replace the seller’s compliance responsibility.
What happens if EPC makes an error?
EPC takes accuracy seriously. If we make an error, we review what happened, communicate quickly, and work toward a fair, practical resolution.
What happens if I send the wrong labels or instructions?
EPC will flag the issue, explain what needs to be corrected, and help get the shipment back on track. Rework may be billed if new labels, shipment changes, or corrected instructions require additional labor.
Final Question
What is the fastest way to get a quote?
Send EPC your product type, sales channel, expected monthly volume, first shipment size, required services, storage needs, and target start date. EPC will confirm the best workflow, provide an all-inclusive quote, and guide your first inbound shipment step by step. You can also view an instant quote here.