FBA vs FBM: Which Amazon Fulfillment Model Is Right for You?

FBA vs FBM: Overview

Amazon sellers have two fulfillment models: FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) where Amazon handles storage, packing, and shipping; and FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) where the seller manages their own logistics. About 73% of top sellers use FBA, while 27% use FBM exclusively. Many use a hybrid approach.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Choose FBA When

• Small, lightweight, fast-selling products
• Prime badge and Buy Box are important
• You lack warehouse or fulfillment infrastructure
• You sell across multiple EU countries

Choose FBM When

• Large, heavy, or oversized products (high FBA storage fees)
• Slow-moving niche products (avoid long-term storage fees)
• Custom packaging and brand experience matter
• You have strong existing fulfillment capability

The Hybrid Strategy

Many successful sellers use both: fast-selling small items in FBA for Prime advantage, and large or slow-selling items via FBM. This maximizes margin across the product catalog.

For Turkish Sellers

FBA is generally recommended for Turkish sellers because shipping directly from Turkey (FBM) is slow and expensive for individual orders. The better approach: ship inventory in bulk to Amazon FBA via Kolay Parsiyel, then let Amazon handle individual orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use both FBA and FBM?

Yes, even for the same ASIN. Many sellers run hybrid strategies with different products in each model.

Can FBM get Prime?

Yes, through Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP), but strict performance requirements apply: same-day dispatch, 1-2 day delivery, 99%+ tracking.

Which is more profitable?

Product-dependent. Small fast sellers: FBA (Prime lifts sales). Large slow sellers: FBM (avoids storage fees). Use Amazon's FBA Revenue Calculator to compare.

Best approach for shipping from Turkey?

Ship bulk to FBA via Kolay Parsiyel. Individual FBM shipping from Turkey to European customers is too slow (7-14 days) and costly.