FBA or FBM is one of the first real decisions you’ll make, and it shapes your fees, workload and Prime eligibility. Here’s the plain version.
FBA vs FBM: which should you choose?
Choose FBA if you want Amazon to handle storage and shipping and you want easy Prime eligibility, best for small, standard-size, fast-moving products. Choose FBM if you’d rather ship orders yourself to keep control and lower fees, best for large, heavy, slow-moving or handmade items.
Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA)
You send inventory to Amazon’s warehouses and they store, pick, pack, ship and handle most customer service.
- Pros: automatic Prime badge, hands-off logistics, often higher conversion.
- Cons: storage and fulfillment fees, long-term storage fees on slow stock, less control.
Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM)
You list on Amazon but store and ship orders yourself (or via a third party).
- Pros: lower Amazon fees, full control of stock and packaging, good for bulky or custom items.
- Cons: you handle shipping and service, and Prime is harder to earn (needs Seller Fulfilled Prime).
How to choose
Run your product through this: is it small, standard-size and selling steadily? FBA usually wins on convenience and Prime. Is it large, heavy, slow, seasonal or handmade? FBM usually protects your margin. Many sellers mix both.
Where this fits
Fulfillment is one step in starting on Amazon. Once it’s chosen, create your account and optimize your listing. Want the whole setup handled? See Store Setup or our services.