Overview

Amazon is urging sellers to scrutinize the full cost structure of their third‑party logistics (3PL) contracts, warning that headline per‑unit rates often hide additional fees. With roughly 60 % of e‑commerce shipments now routed through 3PL providers, the marketplace is positioning its Multi‑Channel Fulfillment (MCF) service as a reference point for sellers to gauge true fulfillment economics.

Key Points

• Cost‑visibility push — Amazon advises sellers to request a line‑item breakdown from their 3PL rather than relying on a single quoted price.
• Shipment‑mix impact — Package size, weight, destination and delivery speed can swing blended fulfillment costs by double‑digit percentages.
• MCF benchmark tool — The platform’s Multi‑Channel Fulfillment rates are promoted as a baseline for comparing external 3PL pricing.
• Continuous monitoring — Amazon recommends quarterly cost reviews to detect margin erosion caused by carrier surcharges, fuel adjustments, or peak‑season premiums.
• Industry pricing pressure — Rising carrier fees and labor costs are driving overall 3PL rates upward, making regular audits essential for profitability.

How Multi‑Channel Fulfillment Works

1. Inventory consolidation — Sellers ship inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers once, then Amazon picks, packs, and ships orders for both Amazon and external sales channels. Example: A Shopify store owner sends 1,000 units of a 0.8 lb widget to an Amazon warehouse and uses the same stock to fulfill Shopify orders.
2. Rate calculation — MCF charges are based on actual dimensions, weight, destination zone, and selected delivery speed, mirroring the FBA pricing model. Example: A 12‑inch‑by‑8‑inch‑by‑4‑inch package shipped to the Midwest with standard delivery costs $4.25 per order.
3. Order fulfillment — When an order arrives from a non‑Amazon channel, Amazon’s system automatically selects the most cost‑efficient carrier and applies any applicable surcharges (e.g., oversized, hazardous).