What Is Amazon FBM and When to Use It
Amazon FBM, or Fulfillment by Merchant, means you store, pack, and ship your own products. What is amazon fbm and when to use it is a common question for new sellers deciding between control and convenience. Our what is amazon fbm and when to use it guide covers FBM basics, costs, pros and cons, and how it compares to Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA).
What Is Amazon FBM?
With FBM, you handle every step after the sale: - Store inventory in your own warehouse or home - Pick, pack, and ship orders to customers - Handle customer service and returns - Set your own shipping rates and policies - Manage your own shipping carrier accounts
FBM vs FBA Comparison
| Factor | FBM | FBA |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Your location | Amazon warehouse |
| Packing & shipping | You | Amazon |
| Customer service | You | Amazon |
| Fees | Lower variable costs | Higher variable costs |
| Control | Full control | Less control |
| Prime eligibility | Manual or Seller Fulfilled Prime | Automatic |
| Scalability | Limited by your capacity | Highly scalable |
When to Use FBM
- Low-margin products where FBA fees would eat profits
- Large or heavy items with high FBA fees
- Custom or made-to-order products that cannot be pre-stocked
- Existing inventory you already store and ship from
- Multi-channel sellers who fulfill orders from multiple platforms
- Local or regional sellers who can offer fast, cheap shipping
When to Use FBA Instead
- Small, lightweight, high-volume items where FBA fees are low
- Products you want Prime-eligible for maximum visibility
- Scaling operations where you cannot handle fulfillment volume
- International sales where Amazon handles customs and shipping
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