Question 1

How fast can I launch with Shipprep?

Accepted Answer

Most accounts go live within 14 days from signup. The timeline includes integration setup, inventory transfer from your current location, test orders, and your first live shipments.

Question 2

Do I need technical knowledge to get started?

Accepted Answer

No. We integrate with major platforms (Shopify, Amazon, eBay, Walmart, TikTok Shop, Etsy) through one-click apps. Setup takes 15–30 minutes, and we set it up with you.

Question 3

Is there a minimum order volume?

Accepted Answer

No minimum for fulfillment, returns, kitting, or storage. Subscription boxes start at 50 boxes/month. SFP has its own tier structure.

Question 4

Can I visit the studio before signing?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we encourage it. Schedule a 30-minute in-person tour via the Contact page.

Question 5

Do you have setup fees?

Accepted Answer

No setup fees for FBA prep, returns, or storage. Multi-channel fulfillment integration ($150), SFP ($500), kitting build sheet ($150), and subscription setup ($300) have one-time fees — waived for Founding Members (first 20 clients).

Question 6

Do I need a long-term contract?

Accepted Answer

No. Our agreement is one page and either side can exit with 30 days' notice.

Question 7

How does volume pricing work?

Accepted Answer

FBA prep tiers are based on your total units for the month. You tell us your monthly forecast and orders are priced at that tier (500+ units/month is Tier 4, −$0.10/unit; 1,000+ is Tier 5, −$0.12/unit). At month-end we compare it with your actual total: if it lands in a more expensive tier, the difference is billed automatically; if in a cheaper tier, the difference is credited to your next invoice. No renegotiation required.

Question 8

Do you mark up shipping?

Accepted Answer

No — multi-channel fulfillment shipping is pass-through at our negotiated carrier rate. The only exception is SFP, which has a 5% service fee on Amazon Buy Shipping rates.

Question 9

What's your billing cycle?

Accepted Answer

FBA prep, kitting, and inbound receiving are charged to your card on file before the work starts, when you create the order or shipment. Multi-channel and SFP orders are charged to your card on file the moment they ship. Storage is billed at month-end. Every charge comes with line-item detail.

Question 10

How fast do you process orders?

Accepted Answer

Orders are typically processed within 1 business day. We work Monday to Friday, excluding US federal holidays.

Question 11

Which carriers do you use?

Accepted Answer

UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL Express, DHL eCommerce, Amazon Logistics, and OnTrac. We rate-shop for every order automatically. You can also bring your own carrier accounts.

Question 12

Do you handle international shipping?

Accepted Answer

Yes — DDP and DDU shipping to Canada, Mexico, and major EU countries with full customs documentation.

Question 13

Can you use my branded packaging?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Send us your branded boxes, mailers, tissue, and inserts. We'll store them and use them per your instructions.

Question 14

What if an order ships wrong?

Accepted Answer

If it's our error, we refund the order and reship at no cost. This is covered by our accuracy guarantee.

Question 15

Can my supplier ship containers directly to Shipprep?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this is our most common international workflow. We receive containers at the Port of Houston (about 25 minutes from our facility) and skip the "ship to yourself first" step.

Question 16

Do you speak languages other than English?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We operate in English, Türkçe, and Español on the floor. Your supplier's language probably isn't a barrier.

Question 17

Do you handle customs and import documentation?

Accepted Answer

We help coordinate import documentation for DDP shipments; the customs entry itself is filed by a licensed customs broker, and we work with licensed partners at the Port of Houston. Note that the US suspended the $800 de minimis (Section 321) duty-free exemption for all countries on August 29, 2025 — even low-value shipments now need a customs entry and pay applicable duties.

Question 18

Do I need a US business entity to work with you?

Accepted Answer

Most sellers do (LLC or corporation) for tax and platform reasons. We can refer you to services that handle EIN/LLC setup.

Question 19

What about returns from US customers?

Accepted Answer

We provide a US-based return address — no international reshipping required. Returns are inspected, graded, and routed to restock, refurbishment, or disposal.

Question 20

How fast are returns processed?

Accepted Answer

Within 24 hours of arrival at our facility. We inspect, grade, and either restock or refurbish based on condition.

Question 21

What's the difference between restock, refurbishment, and disposal?

Accepted Answer

Grade A = resellable as-is (restock). Grade B = needs cleaning, repackaging, or label replacement (refurbishment). Grade C = not resellable (disposal or donation).

Question 22

Do you handle Amazon FBA removal orders?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FBA removals come to our facility for inspection and are either restocked for resale, refurbished, or disposed per your instructions.

Question 23

Do you handle hazmat, food, supplements, or oversized items?

Accepted Answer

Hazmat (batteries, aerosols, flammables), food, beverages, supplements, and pet food (consumables that require FDA registration or a license) are not accepted; we'll refer you to a licensed partner for those. Oversized items are not refused: a single item or carton up to 48" and 50 lb is standard, and anything larger is accepted by quote.

Question 24

What guarantees do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Three written guarantees: Zero Shrinkage, Pick & Pack Accuracy, and Same-Day Receiving. See /guarantees for full terms.

Question 25

How do I file a claim?

Accepted Answer

Open a ticket in your client dashboard or email claims@shipprephouston.com with your order number or shipment ID. We respond within 4 business hours, investigate within 24 hours, resolve within 72 hours.

Question 26

What if my inventory goes missing or gets damaged?

Accepted Answer

We cover it at your wholesale cost, documented by commercial invoice. Claims must be filed within 30 days of discovery.

Question 27

What counts as a shipping accuracy error?

Accepted Answer

Wrong item, missing item, wrong quantity, wrong address (our error, not customer's), or damaged in packing. For every error, we refund the order and reship at our cost.

Answers to what sellers
ask us most.

Getting started

How fast can I launch with Shipprep?

Do I need technical knowledge to get started?

Is there a minimum order volume?

Can I visit the studio before signing?

Pricing & billing

Do you have setup fees?

Do I need a long-term contract?

How does volume pricing work?

Do you mark up shipping?

What's your billing cycle?

Shipping & fulfillment

How fast do you process orders?

Which carriers do you use?

Do you handle international shipping?

Can you use my branded packaging?

What if an order ships wrong?

International sellers

Can my supplier ship containers directly to Shipprep?

Do you speak languages other than English?

Do you handle customs and import documentation?

Do I need a US business entity to work with you?

What about returns from US customers?

Returns & exceptions

How fast are returns processed?

What's the difference between restock, refurbishment, and disposal?

Do you handle Amazon FBA removal orders?

Do you handle hazmat, food, supplements, or oversized items?

Guarantees & claims

What guarantees do you offer?

How do I file a claim?

What if my inventory goes missing or gets damaged?

What counts as a shipping accuracy error?

Still have a question?

Ready to ship from Houston?

Answers to what sellersask us most.

Getting started

How fast can I launch with Shipprep?

Do I need technical knowledge to get started?

Is there a minimum order volume?

Can I visit the studio before signing?

Pricing & billing

Do you have setup fees?

Do I need a long-term contract?

How does volume pricing work?

Do you mark up shipping?

What's your billing cycle?

Shipping & fulfillment

How fast do you process orders?

Which carriers do you use?

Do you handle international shipping?

Can you use my branded packaging?

What if an order ships wrong?

International sellers

Can my supplier ship containers directly to Shipprep?

Do you speak languages other than English?

Do you handle customs and import documentation?

Do I need a US business entity to work with you?

What about returns from US customers?

Returns & exceptions

How fast are returns processed?

What's the difference between restock, refurbishment, and disposal?

Do you handle Amazon FBA removal orders?

Do you handle hazmat, food, supplements, or oversized items?

Guarantees & claims

What guarantees do you offer?

How do I file a claim?

What if my inventory goes missing or gets damaged?

What counts as a shipping accuracy error?

Still have a question?

Ready to ship from Houston?

Answers to what sellers
ask us most.