Overview

Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) is Amazon's upstream bulk storage and distribution service, designed to offer sellers lower-cost inventory storage outside of standard FBA fulfillment centers. Understanding AWD's terms and conditions is essential for any seller considering the program, as they govern everything from shipment requirements and fee structures to reimbursement eligibility. These terms supplement Amazon's broader Business Solutions Agreement and carry specific compliance obligations that sellers must follow to avoid lost inventory or unexpected charges.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Product eligibility is restricted and subject to change — Not all products qualify for AWD. Amazon maintains a separate set of product eligibility requirements that can be updated at any time, so sellers should verify their inventory qualifies before creating shipments.
• AWD and FBA shipments must remain completely separate — Sellers cannot mix FBA and AWD inventory in the same truckload, send FBA shipments to AWD sites, or route AWD shipments to FBA fulfillment centers. Violations can result in lost or rejected inventory with no recourse.
• Three distinct fee types apply — AWD charges storage fees (monthly, per cubic foot), processing fees (for inbound and outbound handling), and transportation fees (for moving inventory to fulfillment centers or other channels).
• Unit labeling is the seller's responsibility — AWD does not provide labeling or relabeling services. Sellers must ensure every unit meets the destination channel's labeling requirements before shipping.
• Reimbursement claims have strict eligibility criteria — Multiple conditions must be met for a unit to qualify for reimbursement if lost or damaged, and claims for fee overcharges based on incorrect box dimensions must be filed within 90 days.

Shipment and Routing Requirements

AWD shipments must comply with Amazon's standard FBA shipping and routing requirements, with the notable exception that FBA box labels are not required. Instead, sellers must follow AWD-specific box labeling guidelines. Only shipment types explicitly listed on the AWD program page are supported, and Amazon disclaims responsibility for any inventory lost or rejected when sellers use unsupported shipping methods. Importantly, AWD sites are exclusively for AWD inventory — sellers who accidentally route FBA shipments to an AWD facility or vice versa risk losing that inventory entirely, as Amazon will not take responsibility for misrouted goods.