Amazon Fulfilled by Merchant

Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) is a fulfilment method where you, or a third-party provider like PackPro, manage the storage, packing, and shipping of your Amazon orders directly to customers. It gives you full control over your stock, choice of couriers, packaging, and shipping processes.

In contrast, Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) means your inventory is stored in Amazon’s warehouses, and Amazon handles picking, packing, shipping, returns, and customer service. It’s convenient but comes with storage fees, restrictions, and less flexibility.

Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) sits between the two. Like FBM, you (or a fulfilment partner) ship orders from your own warehouse, but you’re held to stricter standards because your orders carry the Amazon Prime badge. That means fast despatch, specific courier requirements, and high delivery performance—usually including same-day despatch and next-day delivery.

FBM gives you the most control and flexibility, while FBA and SFP offer Prime benefits with added requirements or restrictions.

Amazon Fulfilled by Merchant offers several advantages. Firstly, you have complete control over your inventory and fulfilment methods, allowing you to tailor packaging, branding, and shipping preferences. Secondly, it can reduce costs related to Amazon’s storage fees and avoid long-term or peak season surcharges that often come with FBA. Thirdly, FBM is ideal for sellers with products that have low turnover or seasonal demand, as you won’t be tied to Amazon’s warehouse space and fees. Lastly, FBM lets you choose your couriers and shipping services, potentially improving delivery times or costs depending on your location and customer base.

To use FBM, you simply need an active Amazon Seller Central account. There are no special approvals like with Seller Fulfilled Prime. However, you must meet Amazon’s performance requirements, which include dispatching orders on time, providing valid tracking information, and maintaining low cancellation and return rates. Failing to meet these standards can affect your seller metrics and possibly lead to account restrictions. Partnering with a reliable fulfilment provider like PackPro can help ensure you meet these expectations consistently.

Using Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) means you’re responsible for the customer experience once an order is placed—this includes despatch times, shipping accuracy, tracking updates, and in some cases, handling returns. If done well, FBM can actually strengthen your relationship with customers by giving you more control over how your orders are packed and delivered. It also allows for branded packaging and personalised touches that aren’t possible with FBA.

However, there’s less margin for error. Late shipments, missing tracking, or poor packaging can lead to negative reviews or account issues. That’s why working with a reliable fulfilment partner like PackPro is crucial—we help ensure a smooth experience that keeps your customers happy and your seller metrics in good standing.

Absolutely. PackPro specialises in multi-channel fulfilment, meaning we can manage your Amazon FBM orders alongside sales from eBay, Shopify, your own website, and more. We centralise your inventory in our fulfilment centre and coordinate order picking, packing, and shipping across all channels. This helps reduce operational complexity, lowers costs, and ensures timely deliveries regardless of where your customers shop. With PackPro, you get a single point of management for all your fulfilment needs, making it easier to scale your business.