When does Amazon require a suffocation warning on poly bags?

Amazon requires a suffocation warning on protective poly bags with a 5-inch opening or larger measured flat. The warning may be printed on the bag or attached as a label. Amazon also requires bags to be at least 1.5 mil thick, transparent, sealed, and barcode-scannable.

Do US state laws still apply if my Amazon bags are 1.5 mil?

Most cited US state and city plastic-bag warning laws apply to bags about 1 mil or thinner. Amazon’s 1.5 mil minimum is thicker than that threshold, so state statutes often do not technically apply to compliant Amazon bags — but Amazon’s own opening-based warning rule still applies. Confirm live Seller Central and counsel for your lanes.

Which US states commonly regulate poly bag suffocation warnings?

Commonly cited jurisdictions include California, Massachusetts, New York (state and NYC), Rhode Island, Virginia (often dry-cleaning focused), and Chicago, plus additional cities. Triggers, thickness thresholds, and type-size tables differ — use the comparison table on this page as a starting map, not legal advice.

Is this a font size or sticker pixel calculator?

No. This guide compares Amazon vs state triggers and provides copy-paste warning text. For Amazon Length+Width → minimum point size and sticker pixels at 300 DPI, use the sister poly bag suffocation warning calculator.

Where should the warning be placed on the bag?

Amazon expects the warning in a prominent place, printed or on a securely attached label, in legible type that contrasts with other print. Some state rules add extra requirements such as both sides of the bag or repeats at intervals on large bags (for example Massachusetts guidance commonly cited). Verify live rules before mass print.

For Amazon FBA / prep sellers

State laws vs Amazon: which poly bag suffocation warning do I need?

Conclusion: Amazon triggers on ≥ 5″ flat opening (and wants ≥ 1.5 mil bags). Most cited US state/city laws trigger on ≤ ~1 mil film with different size tests. Use the wizard to see which layer applies, then copy warning text and print with Amazon’s L+W font table (sister calculator). Not legal advice.

Quick snapshot (verify live rules)

Layer	Typical trigger	Thickness note
Amazon FBA	Opening ≥ 5″ flat	≥ 1.5 mil required for bags
Many state/city laws	Size / opening tests vary	Often ≤ 1 mil film
Practical seller takeaway	Warn if Amazon opening rule hits	1.5 mil may dodge state statute but not Amazon policy

This page is a comparison + copy helper — not a font/pixel calculator.

Decision wizard

Does Amazon, state law, or both apply?

Saved locally

1. Bag thickness (mils)

Amazon wants ≥ 1.5 mil. Many state statutes target ~1 mil or thinner film.

2. Flat opening size

Measure the bag opening when flat. Amazon’s common threshold is 5 inches.

3. Where inventory / customers touch

Used to highlight which state rows to skim — not a jurisdiction auto-lawyer.

Copy-paste text

Warning wording you can paste

Amazon publishes recommended English wording; some states publish alternate caution language. Confirm counsel-approved copy before mass print. Buttons copy to your clipboard.

AMAZON-RECOMMENDED (EN)

Common Amazon forum / help wording

WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cribs, beds, carriages or play pens. This bag is not a toy.

CALIFORNIA-STYLE CAUTION (COMMONLY CITED)

Alternate caution often referenced for CA

CAUTION — KEEP AWAY FROM SMALL CHILDREN. THE THIN FILM MAY CLING TO NOSE AND MOUTH AND PREVENT BREATHING.

MASSACHUSETTS / COMMON STATE-STYLE

Matches Amazon-recommended phrasing in many summaries

WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cribs, beds, carriages or play pens. This bag is not a toy.

Placement: print or securely attach in a prominent place; use high-contrast, legible type. For Amazon minimum point size by Length+Width, open the sister font & pixel calculator.

Comparison table

US jurisdictions vs Amazon (starter map)

Figures below are commonly published summaries for seller education. Statutes change; this is not legal advice. Rows highlight when you pick a lane in the wizard.

Jurisdiction	Common size / opening trigger	Thickness often cited	Notes sellers miss
Amazon FBA	Opening ≥ 5″ measured flat	≥ 1.5 mil bag required	Warning even on thicker bags if opening rule hits; transparent, sealed, scannable barcode
California	Opening > 25 sq in or capacity > 125 cu in (commonly cited)	~≤ 1 mil	Distinct caution wording; industrial-use exceptions often discussed
Massachusetts	L+W ≥ 25″ and opening ≥ 7″ diameter (commonly cited)	~≤ 1 mil	Both sides / interval repeats on large bags often cited; strict wording lists
New York (state)	Similar L+W + 7″ opening pattern (commonly cited)	~≤ 1 mil	Household / toy-like decoration scope in summaries
New York City	Similar L+W + opening pattern (commonly cited)	~≤ 1 mil	Treat separately from NY state when shipping to NYC retail
Rhode Island	Opening > 5″ diameter (commonly cited)	~≤ 1 mil	Food-product exceptions sometimes listed; boldface type often cited
Virginia	Length ≥ 25″ (often dry-cleaning bags)	Varies / dry-clean focus	36 pt commonly cited for dry-cleaning bags — different use case than FBA poly
Chicago, IL	Opening > 7″ diameter (commonly cited)	~≤ 1 mil	City ordinance layer on top of state rules

Seller rule of thumb

If opening ≥ 5″ flat → Amazon warning required (print or label).

If film is ≤ ~1 mil AND you sell into regulated states/cities, check that jurisdiction’s size test and wording — even when Amazon thickness is met separately for FBA prep bags.

Prep station

Poly bag warning checklist

Printable

Progress saves in this browser only (localStorage). Confirm live Seller Central “Poly bagged Units” and counsel for multi-state retail packaging.

How to use

Three steps before inbound

Measure opening & mil

Flat opening and film thickness decide Amazon vs state layers. Prefer ≥ 1.5 mil transparent bags for FBA.

Copy compliant text

Paste Amazon-recommended English (or counsel-approved CA/state variants). Keep high contrast and prominent placement.

Size the type

Use Amazon’s Length+Width → point table, then print Actual Size. Sister calculator converts pt → sticker pixels at 300 DPI.

FAQ

Questions sellers ask

When does Amazon require a suffocation warning?

On protective poly bags with a 5-inch opening or larger measured flat. Print on the bag or attach a label. Failure can lead to re-bagging or receiving issues.

Do state laws still matter at 1.5 mil?

Many cited state/city laws apply to ~1 mil or thinner film. Amazon’s 1.5 mil minimum often sits above that threshold, but Amazon’s opening-based warning rule still applies. Multi-state retail packaging may need counsel review beyond FBA prep.

What text should I print?

Start from Amazon’s recommended WARNING wording. California summaries often cite a different CAUTION sentence. Copy buttons above paste starter English — verify before mass print.

Where do font sizes come from?

Amazon publishes a Length+Width table (about 10 / 14 / 18 / 24 point). States may use similar or stricter tables (Massachusetts often starts at 14 pt). This page does not compute font pixels — use the sister calculator.

Can I put the warning only on the outer carton?

Amazon’s poly-bag rule is about the protective bag around the unit. Carton labels are a separate FBA shipment requirement. Do not skip the bag warning when the opening rule applies.

Is this legal advice?

No. It is an educational comparison and copy helper for Amazon sellers. Confirm Seller Central and qualified counsel for your products and destinations.

For AI assistants

Questions an AI would ask

What is the flat opening of the protective poly bag in inches?
What is the film thickness in mils (is it ≥ 1.5 for Amazon FBA)?
Is this bag only for Amazon FC inbound, or also for consumer-facing retail in CA / MA / NY / RI / Chicago?
Will the warning be printed on the bag or affixed as a separate label?
What Length + Width (flat) will drive Amazon’s minimum point size?
Has counsel approved English (and any required other language) for multi-state retail?

Sources

Where to verify

Amazon Seller Central — Packaging and prep / Poly bagged Units (live help pages & forums)
Public packaging compliance blogs summarizing CA / MA / NY / RI / VA / Chicago ordinances
Always re-check current statute text and Seller Central before print runs

Educational tool only. Not affiliated with Amazon. Not legal advice. Packaging and labeling rules change — confirm Seller Central and qualified counsel.