UK Warehouse Job Requirements: Age, Right to Work and Checks (2026)
Check if you qualify for a UK warehouse job: age rules, right to work documents, background checks, physical demands and common mistakes to avoid.
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Step 2 of 3: Requirements
Most UK warehouse jobs ask for three things: you're old enough (usually 18+), you can prove your right to work in the UK, and you can handle a physical shift, such as lifting up to 23kg at Amazon. No CV is needed for Amazon's warehouse roles. The next page walks you through the application step by step.
Tell us where you are right now, and the next page shows you what to do.
Where are you in the process?
✅ Basic eligibility
The exact rules depend on the employer and the job advert, but these are the basics that come up again and again.
- Age: most warehouse adverts ask for applicants aged 18 or over. Asda's warehouse adverts, for example, say you must be at least 18 to operate equipment safely.
- Right to work: you must legally be allowed to work in the UK. Employers have to check this before you start.
- Physical fitness: you'll be on your feet, walking, bending and lifting. Amazon says its operatives lift items of up to 23kg.
- Basic English and maths: the National Careers Service says some employers ask for GCSEs at grade 4 (C) in English and maths, but many entry-level jobs don't.
- A phone and email address: applications, shift offers and start dates are usually sent by email or text.
If you're 16 or 17, a small number of employers may take you on, but many warehouse sites set 18 as the minimum. Always read the advert.
📋 Right to work documents
Every UK employer must check that you're allowed to work here. GOV.UK sets out three main routes:
| You are | What you usually show |
|---|---|
| British or Irish citizen | A British passport, or an Irish passport or passport card (these can be expired) |
| British or Irish, no passport | A UK or Irish birth or adoption certificate plus an official letter showing your name and National Insurance number |
| Any other nationality | An online share code (with your date of birth), or your eligible immigration documents |
Amazon UK asks for these documents during a short video appointment and checks them with an online ID tool. That tool needs a smartphone or tablet with a camera, so make sure yours works before the day.
Have your documents ready? The next page shows the exact order of the application, from choosing a shift to your first day.
🔍 What employers check before you start
Warehouse jobs usually come with a conditional offer. It becomes final only once your checks are complete.
- Background check: Amazon says its checks are usually processed within 5 working days by a third-party company, which may email you if it needs more details.
- Right to work check: this must be finished before your start date. Amazon warns that if it isn't, your start date will be cancelled.
- Agency checks: Acas says agencies must check your suitability and right to work before placing you, and may ask for a criminal record check for certain jobs.
- Health and safety test: Amazon's paid onboarding session ends with a health and safety test that you must pass before you start work.
If you have a disability and need an adjustment at any stage, Amazon and most large employers have a process to ask for one.
💪 What the work demands physically
This part matters more than most people expect. Warehouse work is active from start to finish, and the pace can be fast.
- Standing and walking for most of the shift
- Lifting and moving items, up to 23kg at Amazon
- Using pump trucks, power pallet trucks and handheld scanners
- Working nights, weekends or long shifts, especially at peak
- Wearing safety footwear and protective clothing when required
Ready for the next part? The application steps are short, but the order matters.
⚠️ Common mistakes that cost people the job
Most rejections and delays come down to small, avoidable slip-ups. Watch out for these:
- Using the wrong email address. Amazon UK only lets you sign in with a valid email, and every update arrives there. Check your spam folder.
- Leaving the right to work check too late. An unfinished check can cancel your start date.
- Missing the pre-hire appointment. You can usually rebook, but popular shifts may go in the meantime.
- Paying an 'agency' for work. GOV.UK says recruitment agencies cannot charge you a fee for finding you work. Anyone who asks is a warning sign.
- Not reading the advert. Pay, age rules and shift times differ by site, so check each listing before you apply.
Want to avoid all of these? The next page puts each step in the right order.
❓ Quick FAQ
Do I need a CV?
Do I need warehouse experience?
Can I work if I'm on a student visa?
Will an agency charge me a fee?
How fast will I hear back?
On the next page: the 6 application steps in order, where to find official adverts, what happens after you apply and how to spot fake recruiters.
🔥 Other jobs hiring now
Want to keep your options open? These UK jobs have similar entry requirements and plenty of shifts.
Disclaimer: This is an independent information website. We are not Amazon, a supermarket or a recruitment agency, we are not an employer, and we do not hire anyone or collect job applications. Pay, shifts and hiring rules change often and vary by location, so always check the details on the official careers site or job advert before you apply. Never pay anyone to get a job.