# FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) Workflow

Complete guide for sending inventory to Amazon FBA warehouses.

## FBA Overview

### What is FBA?
Amazon stores, picks, packs, ships, and provides customer service for your products.

### FBA Fees
- **Fulfillment Fee**: Per-unit picking, packing, shipping
- **Storage Fee**: Monthly fee based on volume (cubic feet)
- **Long-term Storage**: Additional fee for inventory > 365 days
- **Removal/Disposal**: Fee to remove inventory from FBA

### Benefits
✅ Prime eligibility (higher conversion)
✅ Amazon handles customer service
✅ Multi-channel fulfillment available
✅ Buy Box advantage
✅ International shipping to customers

## Pre-Shipment Checklist

### Product Requirements
- [ ] Products are new condition
- [ ] Products match listing exactly
- [ ] Properly packaged for e-commerce shipping
- [ ] Barcode labeled (FNSKU or manufacturer UPC)
- [ ] No expiration date within 90 days (if applicable)

### Documentation
- [ ] Shipping plan created in Seller Central
- [ ] FNSKU labels printed
- [ ] Box content information ready
- [ ] Import documentation (for international)

## Step 1: Create Shipping Plan

### Navigate to FBA Inventory
1. **Inventory** → **Manage FBA Inventory**
2. Click **Send/Replenish Inventory**

### Select Products
1. Search for your SKU or ASIN
2. Check the box next to product(s)
3. Click **Send Selected Items to Amazon**

### Set Quantities
1. Enter number of units per SKU
2. Click **Continue**

### Create Plan
1. Choose **Create a new shipping plan**
2. Select **Case-packed** or **Individual products**
   - **Individual**: Different SKUs in same box
   - **Case-packed**: Same SKU, same quantity per box
3. Click **Continue to shipping plan**

## Step 2: Prepare Products

### Who Preps?

**Option A: Amazon Preps (Fee Applies)**
- Amazon labels products: $0.30/unit
- Amazon bags/bubbles: $1.00-$2.00/unit
- Convenient but expensive

**Option B: Merchant Preps (You)**
- You label and package
- Lower cost, more control
- Requires following Amazon prep requirements

### Prep Requirements by Product Type

**Apparel/Textiles**
- Poly bag with suffocation warning (if applicable)
- Size must be on bag
- Scannable barcode on outside

**Liquids**
- Double-sealed or bagged
- Fragile labeling
- "This Side Up" if needed

**Breakable/Glass**
- Bubble wrap individually
- "Fragile" labeling
- No stacking

**Sharp Objects**
- Protective covering
- Scannable barcode on outside

**Adult Products**
- Black opaque bag
- Suffocation warning

**Small Items**
- Bagged if smaller than 2.5" x 2.5"
- Scannable barcode on outside

### Labeling Requirements

**FNSKU Label (Amazon Barcode)**
- Print from Seller Central
- Must be scannable
- Cover existing UPCs
- Place on flat surface
- No tape over barcode

**Label Contents:**
- FNSKU (X00... format)
- Product name
- Condition: New

## Step 3: Pack Products

### Box Requirements
- 6-sided box with flaps
- New boxes preferred
- No pallets/crates unless approved
- Max weight: 50 lbs (22.5 kg) per box
- Max dimensions: 25" x 25" x 25"

### Packing Best Practices
- Fill empty space with dunnage
- Don't overpack (boxes may burst)
- Heavy items on bottom
- Fragile items protected
- Seal with 2" tape

### Box Content Information

**Required for each box:**
- Number of units
- SKU/FNSKU
- Condition

**How to Provide:**
1. **Web Form**: Enter online during shipment creation
2. **Upload File**: Excel/CSV template
3. **2D Barcode**: Print and place on box

## Step 4: Label Boxes

### Box Labels

**Amazon Partnered Carrier:**
- Print from Seller Central
- Includes:
  - From address (your address)
  - To address (Amazon FC)
  - FBA Shipment ID
  - Box number (Box 1 of 3, etc.)

**Your Own Carrier:**
- Create shipping labels
- Add Amazon FC address
- Include FBA Shipment ID on label

### Label Placement
- Place on top of box
- Don't cover box seams
- One label per box
- Ensure scannable

## Step 5: Ship to Amazon

### Amazon Partnered Carrier (Recommended)

**Benefits:**
- Discounted rates
- Automatic tracking
- Integrated with Seller Central
- Automatic reconciliation

**Process:**
1. Select carrier (UPS usually best option)
2. Print labels from Seller Central
3. Drop off at carrier location
4. Amazon bills your account

**Costs (Approximate):**
- Small parcel: $5-15 per box
- LTL (pallet): $100-500 depending on distance

### Your Own Carrier

**When to Use:**
- International shipments
- Special handling required
- Existing carrier contracts

**Process:**
1. Create shipment with your carrier
2. Enter tracking in Seller Central
3. Ship to designated FC
4. Monitor delivery

## Step 6: Track Shipment

### Monitor in Seller Central
**Inventory** → **Manage FBA Shipments**

**Status Updates:**
- **Working**: Shipment created, not yet shipped
- **Shipped**: In transit to Amazon
- **In Transit**: On the way
- **Delivered**: At Amazon facility
- **Checked In**: Received, being processed
- **Receiving**: Inventory being counted
- **Closed**: Complete, inventory available

### Timeline Expectations
- **Ship to FC**: 2-7 days (domestic)
- **Check-in**: 1-3 days after delivery
- **Receiving**: 3-14 days (varies by volume)
- **Available for sale**: After receiving complete

### Common Delays
- Peak season (Q4): Longer receiving times
- Missing box content info: Shipment held
- Prep issues: Products sent back
- Hazmat review: Additional processing

## Post-Shipment Management

### Monitor Inventory Health
**Inventory** → **Inventory Planning**

**Key Metrics:**
- Sell-through rate
- Excess inventory
- Stranded inventory
- Inbound receiving status

### Long-Term Storage
- Inventory > 365 days incurs extra fees
- Consider removal or disposal
- Use Inventory Planning dashboard

### Removal Orders
1. **Inventory** → **Manage Inventory**
2. Select items to remove
3. **Create Removal Order**
4. Choose: Return to you / Dispose
5. Pay removal fee

## Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF)

### What is MCF?
Fulfill orders from your own website or other channels using FBA inventory.

### Benefits
- Same Prime shipping speeds
- Amazon handles fulfillment
- Inventory consolidation

### Process
1. **Orders** → **Manage Orders**
2. Create MCF order
3. Enter customer shipping info
4. Amazon ships from FBA inventory

### Fees
- Higher than regular FBA fees
- But lower than most 3PLs

## FBA vs FBM Decision Guide

### Choose FBA If:
- High volume sales
- Want Prime badge
- Don't want to handle shipping
- Selling across multiple channels
- Products are small/light

### Choose FBM If:
- Large/heavy products (high FBA fees)
- Want control over packaging
- Have existing fulfillment infrastructure
- Seasonal products (avoid storage fees)
- Custom or made-to-order items

### Hybrid Approach
- FBA for fast-moving items
- FBM for slow-moving or oversized
- Test both and compare profitability

## Troubleshooting

### Shipment Discrepancies
**Issue**: Amazon receives fewer units than sent

**Causes**:
- Lost in transit
- Damaged in transit
- Counting error at Amazon

**Resolution**:
1. File claim with carrier (if shipped yourself)
2. Contact Seller Support with proof of delivery
3. Reconcile in Reimbursements report

### Inventory Stranded
**Issue**: Inventory received but not available for sale

**Causes**:
- Listing suppressed
- Category change
- Hazmat hold

**Resolution**:
1. Check listing status
2. Fix any suppressed issues
3. Contact Seller Support if persists

### High Storage Fees
**Strategies**:
- Improve sell-through (advertising, promotions)
- Remove slow-moving inventory
- Send smaller, more frequent shipments
- Use Inventory Performance Index (IPI) to increase limits

## Best Practices

### Shipment Planning
✅ Send inventory 2-4 weeks before you need it
✅ Monitor IPI score (aim for 400+)
✅ Keep 30-60 days of inventory at FBA
✅ Avoid shipping during peak (Oct-Dec) if possible

### Cost Optimization
✅ Minimize product size/weight where possible
✅ Use right-sized boxes
✅ Consider Seller Fulfilled Prime for oversized
✅ Remove inventory before long-term fees apply

### Quality Control
✅ Inspect products before sending
✅ Ensure barcodes scan correctly
✅ Test packaging durability
✅ Keep shipment records

## Resources

### Amazon Help
- FBA Getting Started Guide
- FBA Prep Requirements
- FBA Rate Card
- Inventory Performance Dashboard

### Tools
- **RestockPro**: Inventory forecasting
- **SoStocked**: Inventory management
- **Forecastly**: Demand forecasting
- **SellerApp**: FBA calculator

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*FBA policies and fees change regularly. Check Seller Central for current rates.*