Overview

Amazon has updated its seller resources with a comprehensive guide helping merchants determine whether Fulfillment by Amazon makes sense for their operations. The guide covers eligibility requirements, fee breakdowns, and walks sellers through Amazon's Revenue Calculator — providing a structured framework for comparing FBA against self-fulfillment. For sellers evaluating their fulfillment strategy in 2025, this resource offers a practical, numbers-driven approach to making the right call.

Eligibility and Getting Started

Before diving into cost analysis, sellers need to confirm their products qualify for FBA. The program requires an active individual or professional selling account, and products must meet Amazon's size limits and category restrictions. Hazardous materials and certain restricted categories require additional approval before enrollment, so it's worth checking the FBA product eligibility help page for your specific catalog before committing inventory.

Beyond basic logistics, FBA enrollment unlocks Prime shipping eligibility — a significant competitive advantage. Prime-eligible listings tend to see higher conversion rates and improved Buy Box performance, and they benefit from the trust that Prime members place in fast, reliable delivery. For many sellers, this visibility boost alone can offset the associated program costs.

Core Benefits at a Glance

• Hands-off fulfillment — Amazon handles picking, packing, and shipping from its fulfillment centers, removing day-to-day logistics from your plate
• Prime badge access — FBA products become Prime-eligible, tapping into Amazon's most active and highest-spending customer segment
• Search visibility boost — FBA listings often receive enhanced placement in search results, which can drive incremental organic sales
• Customer service included — Amazon manages customer inquiries and returns processing for FBA orders, freeing sellers to focus on growth activities like sourcing and marketing

Breaking Down FBA Costs

FBA pricing varies considerably depending on product dimensions, weight, category, and how quickly inventory turns over. The primary charges include per-unit fulfillment fees, monthly storage fees based on cubic footage occupied in fulfillment centers, and inventory management fees. Long-term storage surcharges kick in for products that remain in Amazon's warehouses beyond designated thresholds, making stock management a critical discipline.