--- title: "Amazon FBA vs. FBM: Which Fulfillment Model Fits Your Business?" description: Compare Amazon FBA and FBM on fulfillment costs, Prime eligibility, inventory, and multichannel selling. Find the right setup for your products. image: https://blog.getbyrd.com/hubfs/amazon%20fba%20vs%20fbm%20(1).png --- [![Getbyrd](https://blog.getbyrd.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Getbyrd_May2021/images/Header_logo.svg "Getbyrd")](https://getbyrd.com/en) 12+ fulfillment centers in Europe - [Home](https://getbyrd.com/en) - Product - [Our Fulfillment Services](https://getbyrd.com/en/fulfillment) - [Switching 3PL](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/3pl-switch) - [Returns Portal](https://getbyrd.com/en/returns-portal) - [Dedicated Support](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/account-management) - Integrations - [Overview](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/all-integrations) - [Amazon](https://getbyrd.com/en/amazon-fulfillment) - [Billbee](https://getbyrd.com/en/billbee-fulfillment) - [ChannelEngine](https://getbyrd.com/en/integration-channelengine) - [eBay](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/ebay-fulfillment) - [Mirakl](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/mirakl-fulfillment) - [PlentyOne](https://getbyrd.com/en/plentymarkets-fulfillment) - [PrestaShop](https://getbyrd.com/en/integration-prestashop) - [Procuros](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/procuros-fulfillment) - [Shopify](https://getbyrd.com/en/shopify-fulfillment) - [Shopware](https://getbyrd.com/en/shopware-fulfillment) - [WooCommerce](https://getbyrd.com/en/woocommerce-fulfillment) - [Xentral](https://getbyrd.com/en/xentral-integration) - Solutions - [Baby Products](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/baby-products) - [Beauty, Health & Cosmetics](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/beauty-health) - [Electronics](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/electronics) - [Food, Beverages & Supplements](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/food-beverages) - [Jewelry, Accessories & Watches](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/jewelry-accessories) - [Pet Supplies](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/pet-supplies) - [Toys and Games](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/toys-fulfillment) - [For New Businesses](https://getbyrd.com/en/new-businesses) - [For Established Retailers](https://getbyrd.com/en/established-retailers) - [For Enterprises](https://getbyrd.com/en/enterprise) - [Pricing](https://getbyrd.com/en/pricing) - Fulfillment Center Network - [Fulfillment Center Europe](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network) - [Austria](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network/austria) - [France](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network/france) - [Germany](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network/germany) - [UK](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network/uk) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.getbyrd.com/en) - [Success Stories](https://getbyrd.com/en/references) - [Demo](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/fulfillment-software) - [Whitepaper: E-Commerce Slowdown](https://getbyrd.com/en/survive-and-thrive-ecommerce-whitepaper) - [E-Book: Sustainable Supply Chain](https://getbyrd.com/en/sustainable-e-commerce-supply-chain-e-book) - [E-Book: Cross-Border E-Commerce](https://getbyrd.com/en/cross-border-ecommerce-eu-ebook) - [Whitepaper: 7 Fulfillment Tips](https://getbyrd.com/en/7-fulfillment-tips-whitepaper) - About us - [Team](https://getbyrd.com/en/team) - [Career](https://getbyrd.com/en/jobs) - [Sustainability](https://getbyrd.com/en/sustainability-at-byrd) - [Partnerships](https://getbyrd.com/en/partnerships) - [Press](https://getbyrd.com/en/press) - [Login](https://app.getbyrd.com/en/login?_ga=2.175706018.1283541857.1621736684-626381589.1621482964) - [English](https://blog.getbyrd.com/en/amazon-fbm-vs-fba) - [Deutsch](https://blog.getbyrd.com/fbm-vs-fba) - [English - United Kingdom](https://blog.getbyrd.com/en-gb/amazon-fbm-vs-fba) - [Español](https://blog.getbyrd.com/es/amazon-fbm-vs-fba) - [Français](https://blog.getbyrd.com/fr/fbm-vs-fba) [Request a quote](https://www.getbyrd.com/en#angebot-anfordern) # Amazon FBA vs. FBM: Which Fulfillment Model Fits Your Business? Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) vs. Fulfillment by Merchant (FBM) [**Phillip Pitsch**](https://blog.getbyrd.com/en/author/phillip-pitsch) Published: July 28, 2020 Updated: September 18, 2026 ## Table of Content Your bestselling product ships daily. Another SKU sells twice a month. Both are listed on Amazon, but putting them through the same fulfillment setup may not make commercial sense. The main difference between FBA and FBM is who fulfills the order. With Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), Amazon stores and ships your products. With Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM), you manage fulfillment yourself or outsource it to a third-party logistics provider, known as a 3PL. The right choice depends on your products, order volume, sales channels, and delivery requirements. You can also combine the two. This guide helps European e-commerce merchants compare the options and decide what to calculate before changing their setup. ## **FBA vs. FBM at a glance** | Question | FBA | FBM | | --- | --- | --- | | Where is stock held? | In Amazon’s fulfillment network | In your warehouse or a fulfillment partner’s warehouse | | Who picks, packs, and ships? | Amazon | Your team or your fulfillment partner | | What about Prime? | Eligible FBA offers can carry the Prime badge | Standard FBM does not automatically provide Prime; SFP is a separate qualifying route | | Who manages customer service and returns? | Amazon handles these for FBA orders | The seller organizes the applicable process, including any contracted services | | Can the stock serve other channels? | Amazon offers Multi-Channel Fulfillment for non-Amazon orders | Possible through an integrated in-house or 3PL setup | | What determines the cost? | Product characteristics, storage, applicable FBA fees, and inbound logistics | Storage, labor or 3PL charges, packaging, shipping, systems, and returns | Program details checked September 17, 2026. Amazon’s service pages are linked in the relevant sections below. ## **What is Amazon FBA?** [Fulfillment by Amazon](https://sell.amazon.de/en/versand-durch-amazon) is a service in which you send inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Amazon stores the goods and handles picking, packing, delivery, customer service, and returns for FBA orders. Eligible offers can benefit from Prime. ![Amazon logo on an office building in Munich](https://blog.getbyrd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported%20sitepage%20images/munich-germany-december-26-2018-amazon-logo-at-the-company-office-building-located-in-munich-germany_t20_1Q49GY.jpg?width=748&name=munich-germany-december-26-2018-amazon-logo-at-the-company-office-building-located-in-munich-germany_t20_1Q49GY.jpg) Your business still needs to plan replenishment, prepare inbound stock, and monitor profitability. Outsourcing order fulfillment does not remove inventory decisions. ### **When FBA may fit your business** Consider FBA when Amazon is a major sales channel, you want Amazon to handle individual orders, and the economics work for the products involved. Assess a group of representative SKUs rather than deciding from one headline rate. A compact product with predictable demand is a useful starting point for a calculation. Then test different sales velocities and stock levels. The same product can become less attractive to hold if demand slows and inventory sits longer than expected. ### **What to plan around with FBA** Think about replenishment before stock runs low. Include preparation, transport to Amazon, receiving time, and a buffer appropriate to your demand. Also decide how you will handle products that sell more slowly than forecast. If you want a specific packing process, verify that it is available for the orders in question. Avoid basing the decision on the assumption that every Amazon shipment uses the same packaging or that fulfillment determines the strength of your brand on its own. ## **What is Amazon FBM?** Fulfilled by Merchant means that fulfillment is managed outside FBA, either by your own operation or through a service provider. It is also commonly referred to as the Merchant Fulfilled Network, or MFN. ![Amazon logo](https://blog.getbyrd.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/amazon-amazon-logo-background-card-company-credit_t20_yXrGOR.jpg?width=677&name=amazon-amazon-logo-background-card-company-credit_t20_yXrGOR.jpg) FBM gives you responsibility for the process behind your delivery offer. That includes organizing fulfillment and meeting the applicable Amazon requirements. As [Amazon’s FBM overview](https://sell.amazon.de/programme/versand-durch-haendler) explains, sellers have access to tools for shipping settings, tracking, and performance monitoring. ### **When FBM may fit your business** Assess FBM if you already have an effective warehouse operation, need an agreed packing process, or want to coordinate Amazon orders with your own store and other marketplaces. It is also worth calculating the cost for bulky, slow-moving, or preparation-intensive products. These characteristics do not automatically make FBM cheaper. They make a product-level comparison more useful than an average fee across the entire assortment. For a multichannel business, examine how inventory is made available to each channel. A shared pool can be useful, but the order-management process must keep available quantities accurate when several channels sell the same SKU. ### **What to plan around with FBM** The delivery promise must match what your operation can do. Review order transmission, handling time, carrier collection, and exceptions. Include promotions and seasonal peaks in the capacity plan. Outsourcing to a 3PL changes who performs the warehouse work. It does not make the seller’s Amazon obligations disappear. Agree responsibilities for order problems, returns, customer communication, and performance monitoring before going live. ## **Is FBA or FBM cheaper?** Neither is always cheaper. Compare the total cost for the same products, destination mix, order profile, and service level. Amazon selling-plan and referral fees must be considered separately from the choice of fulfillment model. For FBA, use [Amazon’s current marketplace fee schedule and revenue calculator](https://sell.amazon.de/preisgestaltung); FBM requires your own warehouse costs or a complete 3PL quote. Use the following as a calculation checklist. Whether a particular charge applies depends on your program, contract, and products. | Cost to examine | FBA calculation | In-house or outsourced FBM calculation | | --- | --- | --- | | Inbound logistics | Preparation and transport to Amazon | Transport, receiving, and putaway | | Storage | Applicable storage charges and stock age | Warehouse space or storage fees over the expected holding period | | Order processing | Applicable fulfillment charges | Labor or pick-and-pack charges, including additional items | | Packaging and delivery | Check what the applicable charges include | Packaging, postage, carrier surcharges, and any service upgrades | | Returns and exceptions | Applicable processing, removal, or other charges | Return transport, inspection, restocking, and exception work | | Systems and overhead | Preparation, replenishment, and administration | Integration, software, management, minimum charges, and support | Start with actual order data: units per order, packed dimensions, weight, destination, sales velocity, and returns. A one-item domestic order may have a very different cost from a three-item cross-border order. For in-house fulfillment, include paid staff time and space even if those costs do not appear on a shipping invoice. For a 3PL, check minimum charges and services excluded from the headline price. Use the same treatment of tax throughout the comparison. Finally, run a slower-sales scenario and a peak-volume scenario. That will show whether your preferred setup remains workable when demand changes. ## **Can you sell across multiple channels with FBA or FBM?** Yes. Multichannel fulfillment is possible with both arrangements, but the available services and workflows differ. [Amazon’s Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF)](https://sell.amazon.de/versand-durch-amazon/multi-channel-versand) uses inventory in Amazon’s network to fulfill orders from channels outside Amazon. Amazon’s German MCF page also states that these orders use neutral packaging without an Amazon logo. Do not assume that FBA inventory can only serve Amazon sales. With FBM, your own warehouse or 3PL can coordinate orders from connected channels. Compare the integrations and services you actually need: inventory synchronization, product preparation, packaging choices, returns handling, and support. For a business selling through Amazon and Shopify, for example, ask each provider to walk through the same order scenarios. Include a multi-item order, a stock discrepancy, and a return. This makes the differences easier to assess than a general feature list. ## **Can FBM orders qualify for Prime?** Standard FBM does not automatically provide the Prime badge. [Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP)](https://sell.amazon.de/programme/prime-durch-verkaeufer) is a separate program that lets qualifying sellers offer Prime while shipping from their own fulfillment operation. Enrollment includes a trial and applicable performance requirements. Check the current requirements for your marketplace and product categories before building the business case. A fast carrier service alone does not establish eligibility. If a 3PL is involved, confirm its support for the specific setup and the responsibilities you retain as the seller. ## **Where does FBM Ship+ fit into the comparison?** [FBM Ship+](https://sellercentral.amazon.de/help/hub/reference/external/G25JYBE52BCW5QJN) is a shipping program for eligible seller-fulfilled orders. It combines delivery-promise automation with a specified label workflow and conditional incentives. It does not transfer warehousing and order processing to Amazon’s FBA network. Treat it as a further assessment within your FBM business case. Confirm access, requirements, technical compatibility, and actual costs before including an incentive in your forecast. Ship+ enrollment should not be confused with SFP qualification. For country-specific availability and the German pilot requirements, see our companion guide, [Amazon FBM Ship+: What European Sellers Need to Know](https://blog.getbyrd.com/en/amazon-fbm-ship-plus?hsLang=en). ## **Can you combine FBA and FBM?** Yes. [Amazon allows sellers to combine merchant fulfillment and FBA](https://sell.amazon.de/programme/versand-durch-haendler), using merchant fulfillment for selected products while using FBA for others. A hybrid setup is worth evaluating when different products or channels need different processes. For example, you might calculate FBA for predictable Amazon demand and use a 3PL for your own store, selected FBM products, and preparation of replenishment stock. This is a planning example, not a recommendation to split every assortment. A second setup brings its own work: stock allocation, replenishment rules, integrations, and service monitoring. The additional flexibility should justify that complexity. If you plan to maintain FBA and FBM offers for the same product, confirm the listing configuration and stock allocation before activating them. A warehouse holding spare stock is not, by itself, a working backup offer. ## **How to choose the right setup for your products** Use a small set of representative SKUs and answer these questions: 1. Where does demand come from? Separate Amazon volume from your own store and other marketplaces, then break it down by destination. 2. What must happen before dispatch? Include preparation, packing requirements, and any product-specific handling. 3. What delivery service do you need? Compare achievable promises and capacity, including peak days. 4. What is the full cost? Use actual product and order data, with clear assumptions for storage and returns. 5. Who resolves problems? Establish ownership of stock discrepancies, failed shipments, customer enquiries, and returns. The result may be FBA for one product group, FBM for another, or a single model across the assortment. Choose the setup you can operate reliably and measure it against margin, delivery performance, and management effort. ## **Amazon FBM and hybrid fulfillment with byrd** byrd provides [Amazon FBM fulfillment](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/amazon-fulfillment), including integration with Seller Central, storage, pick and pack, shipping, and coordination with other sales channels. Pre-FBA services are also available for merchants combining fulfillment arrangements. Bring your SKU data, monthly volumes, destination mix, and current costs to the discussion. We can review the fulfillment services your business needs and prepare an individual quote. Any requirements for SFP or Ship+ should be assessed explicitly for the proposed setup. [Discuss your Amazon fulfillment requirements with byrd](https://www.getbyrd.com/en/amazon-fulfillment). ## **Frequently asked questions about FBA and FBM** ### **What is the main difference between FBA and FBM?** With FBA, Amazon performs fulfillment through its network. With FBM, you manage fulfillment yourself or use a service provider. The distinction concerns who performs the work; it does not determine which option is most profitable for your products. ### **Does FBM mean packing every order yourself?** No. You can outsource warehouse fulfillment to a 3PL. Confirm the provider’s scope, integration, service levels, and exception process, while keeping your seller responsibilities clear. ### **Does choosing FBM remove Amazon fees?** No. Applicable selling-plan and referral fees still need to be considered. Fulfillment costs move to your own operation or provider rather than disappearing. ### **Is a hybrid FBA and FBM setup always better?** No. It can help when products or channels have different requirements, but it also adds coordination work. Compare the benefit against the cost and effort of maintaining two fulfillment arrangements.     ## As seen on               [![Getbyrd](https://blog.getbyrd.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Getbyrd_May2021/images/Footer_logo.svg "Getbyrd")](https://getbyrd.com/en/) - Services - [Fulfillment](https://getbyrd.com/en/fulfillment) - [New Businesses](https://getbyrd.com/en/new-businesses) - [Established Retailers](https://getbyrd.com/en/established-retailers) - [Enterprises](https://getbyrd.com/en/enterprise) - [European Fulfillment Network](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network) - Integrations - [Amazon FBM](https://getbyrd.com/en/amazon-fulfillment) - [Billbee](https://getbyrd.com/en/billbee-fulfillment) - [Mirakl](https://getbyrd.com/en/mirakl-fulfillment) - [ChannelEngine](https://getbyrd.com/en/integration-channelengine) - [PlentyONE](https://getbyrd.com/en/plentymarkets-fulfillment) - [PrestaShop](https://getbyrd.com/en/integration-prestashop) - [Shopify](https://getbyrd.com/en/shopify-fulfillment) - [Shopware](https://getbyrd.com/en/shopware-fulfillment) - [WooCommerce](https://getbyrd.com/en/woocommerce-fulfillment) - [Xentral](https://getbyrd.com/en/xentral-integration) - Locations - [Logistics Locations Europe](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network) - [UK](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network/uk) - [Austria](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network/austria) - [France](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network/france) - [Germany](https://getbyrd.com/en/european-fulfillment-network/germany) - Partner - [Become a partner](https://getbyrd.com/en/partnerships) - About us - [Team](https://getbyrd.com/en/team) - [Blog](https://blog.getbyrd.com/en) - [Our Customers](https://getbyrd.com/en/references) - [Press](https://getbyrd.com/en/press) - [Career](https://getbyrd.com/en/jobs) - [Sustainability](https://getbyrd.com/en/sustainability-at-byrd) - Additional links - [Terms and Conditions](https://getbyrd.com/en/tac) - [Privacy Policy](https://getbyrd.com/en/privacy) - [Imprint](https://getbyrd.com/en/imprint) - [Contact](https://getbyrd.com/en/contact) - [Help](https://support.getbyrd.com/en/knowledge-base) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Phillip Pitsch", "url" : "https://blog.getbyrd.com/en/author/phillip-pitsch" }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-18T11:53:26.843Z", "datePublished" : "2020-07-28T15:42:00.000Z", "headline" : "Amazon FBA vs. FBM: Which Fulfillment Model Fits Your Business?", "image" : [ "https://blog.getbyrd.com/hubfs/amazon%20fba%20vs%20fbm%20(1).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.getbyrd.com/en/amazon-fbm-vs-fba", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://api.hubapi.com/avatars/v1/signed-uris/1ClMKDwgEEgtnZXRieXJkLmNvbRiayvb9BSD_sesFKidicmFuZGluZzphcGk6d2ViOnVzZXItdHJhZmZpYzp1cy1lYXN0LTEyDDIuMjAyLjEyNS43MBIZAHsNx2Q747acIaTrTi2IsGzRxJC60wqRSg" }, "name" : "byrd technologies" } } ```