Compare Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) vs Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) costs. Enter your monthly volume and product specs to find which model saves you more.
Last updated: April 2026 · Rates based on Amazon Seller Central
Choosing between Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) is one of the most consequential decisions for Amazon sellers. This choice affects your profitability, operational complexity, and growth potential. Our FBA vs FBM calculator helps you run the numbers — but understanding the strategic trade-offs is equally important.
With FBA, you send your inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers. Amazon handles storage, picking, packing, shipping, and even customer returns. You pay two main types of fees: fulfillment fees (per unit, based on size and weight) and monthly storage fees (per cubic foot, with seasonal peaks in Q4). In return, your products become Prime-eligible and you benefit from Amazon's legendary logistics reliability.
FBM means you — the seller — handle everything: warehousing, packing, shipping, and customer service. There are no FBA fees, but you bear all operational costs directly: warehouse rent, labor wages, packing supplies, carrier shipping rates, and return processing. FBM sellers can store inventory anywhere, giving them more flexibility in location and shipping speed options.
| Cost Category | FBA | FBM |
|---|---|---|
| Fulfillment | $3.22–$7.20/unit | Your carrier rate |
| Storage | $0.78–$2.40/cu ft/mo | Your warehouse rent |
| Inbound Shipping | $0.60–$1.50/unit | N/A (already at warehouse) |
| Labor | Included in fulfillment fee | Your labor cost |
| Prime Eligibility | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Buy Box Boost | ✅ High | ⚠️ Low (needs low price) |
No matter what other guides tell you, the right fulfillment model depends on your specific numbers. Use the calculator above with your actual product costs, shipping rates, labor expenses, and sales volume. The break-even table at the bottom shows how profitability shifts across different order volumes — so you can plan for growth with confidence.