What is the difference between FBA and FBM?
October 30, 2026
FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) means Amazon stores your stock and picks, packs and ships your orders. FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) means you store the stock and ship Amazon orders yourself or through your own 3PL.
Why it matters for Amazon sellers
The choice affects your costs, your control over delivery and how your listings compete. Many sellers use both: FBA for fast-moving lines and FBM for bulky, slow or high-value items.
FBA at a glance
- Amazon stores, picks, packs and ships your orders.
- Listings are eligible for Prime.
- You pay fulfilment and storage fees, and must send stock into Amazon's warehouses.
FBM at a glance
- You store and ship the stock yourself.
- You keep control of packaging, courier choice and stock.
- You must meet Amazon's despatch and tracking targets.
Running FBA and FBM side by side
- Keep a clear view of how much stock is in Amazon's warehouses and how much is in yours.
- Replenish FBA before it runs out.
- Consider Seller Fulfilled Prime to keep Prime on FBM orders.
How StoreFeeder handles it
StoreFeeder handles FBA and FBM side by side. It can download your Amazon FBA orders and sync FBA stock levels, while FBM orders run through your own warehouse with picking, despatch and tracking back to Amazon. FBA replenishment is done by creating shipments in Amazon.
Read more about StoreFeeder for Amazon Seller Fulfilled Prime.
Frequently asked questions
Is FBA cheaper than FBM?
It depends on your products. FBA fees suit small, fast-selling items; FBM often works better for large, heavy or slow-selling lines.
Can I use FBA and FBM for the same product?
Yes. Some sellers keep a product on FBA and use FBM as a backup when FBA stock runs low.
Do FBM orders get Prime?
Only through Seller Fulfilled Prime, which has strict delivery targets.
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