Overview

Amazon has overhauled the way Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) sellers track inventory capacity. Beginning in early 2024, the former pair of weekly restock limits and quarterly storage limits has been replaced with a single, monthly capacity figure for each storage type. The new limit is expressed in cubic feet rather than unit counts, giving sellers a clearer view of the actual warehouse space they occupy. This shift streamlines inventory planning and directly impacts how sellers forecast purchases, ship stock, and manage costs.

Key Points

• One limit replaces two — Sellers now receive a single monthly capacity number instead of juggling separate weekly inbound limits and quarterly storage caps.
• Measured in cubic feet — Capacity is calculated by volume, aligning the metric with the physical space used in Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
• Three‑month forecast — Amazon publishes the upcoming month’s limit during the third full week of the current month and also provides estimated limits for the following two months.
• Bid‑for‑extra space — Through a reservation‑fee program, sellers can request additional capacity; higher bids are prioritized for allocation.
• Overage fees tied to peak limit — If on‑hand inventory exceeds the assigned limit, fees are assessed based on the highest estimated or confirmed limit for that period.

How the Unified Monthly Capacity System Works

1. Monthly capacity assignment — Each seller is allocated a single volume‑based limit that covers both inventory already stored at Amazon and inbound shipments that have been created but not yet received. For example, a seller of home‑decor items might receive 1,200 ft³ for the month of May.
2. Advance notification — Amazon posts the limit on the FBA dashboard and sends an email during the third full week of the prior month. A seller planning a June launch would see the June limit on the last week of May, allowing time to adjust purchase orders.
3. Volume‑based tracking — The dashboard shows current on‑hand volume, the remaining capacity for the month, and an estimated unit count that would fit within the allocated cubic footage. A seller of small electronics might see that 1,200 ft³ translates to roughly 45,000 units, while a seller of bulky pillows would see a much lower unit estimate.