Overview

Amazon offers two distinct logistics services: Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) for orders placed on the Amazon marketplace, and Multi‑Channel Fulfilment (MCF) for sales that originate on external sites such as a seller’s own webstore or Shopify. Picking the right option—or combining both—directly affects shipping speed, brand presentation, inventory management, and overall cost structure, making it a critical decision for any Amazon‑focused seller.

Key Points

• Order origin — FBA processes purchases made on Amazon.com, while MCF handles orders from a seller’s website, Shopify, Walmart, or any non‑Amazon channel.
• Prime eligibility — Only FBA shipments receive the Prime badge and two‑day shipping guarantee; MCF orders are shipped without Prime labeling.
• Packaging style — MCF uses plain, unbranded boxes at no extra charge, preserving a seller’s brand identity for off‑Amazon customers.
• Inventory model — Both services can draw from a single pool of stock stored in Amazon’s fulfilment centres, eliminating the need to split inventory across multiple warehouses.
• Platform integration — MCF connects automatically with popular e‑commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, BigCommerce), allowing orders to be routed to Amazon without manual entry.
• Return handling — Returns for MCF orders are processed through the same Amazon returns system used for FBA, simplifying reverse‑logistics for sellers with mixed sales channels.

How Amazon Fulfilment Options Work

1. FBA order receipt — A buyer clicks “Buy Now” on an Amazon listing; Amazon’s system instantly creates a fulfilment request and pulls the SKU from the seller’s stocked inventory. Example: A seller with 500 units of a kitchen gadget sees a sudden spike after a holiday promotion; each new Amazon order is automatically queued for picking.

2. FBA picking, packing & Prime shipping — Amazon staff locate the item, pack it in a branded box, and ship it using Prime‑eligible carriers.