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Logistics

FBM.

Fulfillment by Merchant – you ship it yourself.

With FBM the goods stay with you: you store, pack and ship them yourself and also handle customer service. Amazon is only the sales platform.

Delivery routeACTIVE
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Manufacturer
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Warehouse
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Customer
Prime delivery · delivered tomorrow

Shipping in your own hands

What this means for you

FBM in practice.

This is worth it for bulky, very heavy or explanation-heavy products, on very thin margins, or when you already have strong logistics of your own. The downside: no automatic Prime badge (except via Seller Fulfilled Prime) and therefore usually poorer visibility compared with FBA offers.

Amer, founder of Onfidence
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Related: Fulfilment services → FBA explained →
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When self-fulfilment is the better choice.

FBM means full control over warehousing, packaging and the delivery experience – and no storage fees. For certain products it's not just an alternative but the only economical option.

Typical cases: very large or heavy items where Amazon's shipping fees eat up the margin; products with a very low price; goods that need explanation or are personalised; and ranges where you already run efficient logistics of your own.

The price for it is visibility: without the Prime badge, your chance of winning the Buybox drops noticeably. This can be offset via Seller Fulfilled Prime – but the requirements for delivery times and reliability are strict.

Requirements for successful FBM.

01
Short handling time

Amazon customers expect fast shipping – long handling times cost conversion.

02
Reliable metrics

Late deliveries and cancellations hit the Buybox and account status directly.

03
Shipment tracking

Tracking data must be entered in full and on time.

04
Your own customer service

Enquiries must be answered within Amazon's deadlines.

05
Returns process

Returns need a clear, fast process.

Common mistakes.

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Miscalculating shipping costs. With FBM you carry the full shipping risk – including re-sending items that are lost.

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Quoting delivery times too optimistically. Every breach counts against your seller performance.

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Underestimating customer service. Amazon measures your response time – including at weekends.

Frequently asked questions about FBM.

Is FBM cheaper than FBA?
Not across the board. For bulky or slow-moving products usually yes, for small fast-moving items usually no.
Can I offer Prime with FBM?
Via Seller Fulfilled Prime yes – but the requirements for delivery time and reliability are high.
Which is the better choice?
It depends on product size, margin and your logistics. Often a mix of the two is the most economical.
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