The short answer
Amazon FBA shipping has two costs: getting your products to Amazon's warehouses (inbound) and Amazon shipping orders to customers (outbound). You pay for inbound shipping — either through Amazon's discounted partnered carrier program or your own freight. Outbound shipping is included in the FBA fulfillment fee you pay per unit.
Calculate your Amazon FBA fees
See referral fees, fulfillment costs, and your net profit per unit.
Total inbound cost per unit typically ranges from $0.20 to $1.50+, depending on product size, shipment weight, and how many fulfillment centers receive your inventory.
Inbound shipping costs
How inbound shipping works
When you create an FBA shipment in Seller Central, Amazon tells you which fulfillment center(s) to ship to. You then choose how to get your products there:
- Amazon Partnered Carrier (SPD or LTL) — Discounted rates through Amazon
- Your own carrier — UPS, FedEx, freight forwarder, etc.
- Amazon Global Logistics — For international sellers shipping from overseas
Amazon Partnered Carrier Program
Amazon negotiates bulk discounts with UPS and other carriers, passing savings to sellers.
Small Parcel Delivery (SPD):
- For shipments in individual boxes (up to 50 lbs each)
- Typical cost: $0.30-$0.80 per unit for standard-size items
- Labels generated in Seller Central
- Pickup scheduled through Amazon
Less Than Truckload (LTL):
- For palletized shipments (150+ lbs)
- Typical cost: $0.15-$0.40 per unit (cheaper per unit than SPD)
- Best for large inventory sends
- Requires pallets meeting Amazon's specifications
Full Truckload (FTL):
- For very large shipments (10,000+ lbs)
- Lowest per-unit cost
- Requires coordinating delivery appointments
Cost comparison by shipment method
For 500 units of a 1-lb product shipped from the East Coast to an Amazon warehouse:
| Method | Approximate cost | Per-unit cost |
|---|---|---|
| SPD (Partnered Carrier) | $150-$250 | $0.30-$0.50 |
| LTL (Partnered Carrier) | $100-$175 | $0.20-$0.35 |
| Your own carrier (SPD) | $300-$500 | $0.60-$1.00 |
| International (sea freight) | $500-$1,000 | $1.00-$2.00 |
Amazon's partnered rates save 50-70% compared to retail shipping rates. Unless you have negotiated carrier contracts, the partnered program is almost always cheaper.
Inbound placement service fee
This is the fee Amazon charges when your inventory goes to fewer fulfillment centers than Amazon wants.
How it works
Amazon operates hundreds of fulfillment centers. They want your inventory spread across multiple locations for faster customer delivery. When you create a shipment:
- Amazon-optimized splits (4+ locations): No placement fee
- Partial splits (2-3 locations): Reduced placement fee
- Minimal splits (1-2 locations): Full placement fee
2026 placement fee rates
Standard-size items:
| Split option | Fee per unit |
|---|---|
| Amazon-optimized (default) | $0.00 |
| Partial | $0.21-$0.68 |
| Minimal | $0.27-$1.06 |
Large bulky and extra-large items:
| Split option | Fee per unit |
|---|---|
| Amazon-optimized (default) | $0.00 |
| Partial | $0.54-$0.98 |
| Minimal | $0.68-$1.58 |
How to avoid placement fees
Choose "Amazon-optimized shipment splits" when creating your shipment plan. Amazon will tell you to send portions of your inventory to 4+ different warehouses. You ship to more locations, but pay zero placement fees.
The tradeoff: shipping to multiple warehouses costs more in carrier fees and takes more time to prep. For most sellers, the math still favors Amazon-optimized splits — the placement fee savings exceed the extra shipping cost.
When minimal splits make sense:
- Very small shipments (under 50 units) where splitting isn't practical
- Large/heavy items where carrier savings outweigh placement fees
- Time-sensitive inventory that needs to be live fast
Creating an FBA shipment: Step by step
Step 1: Create shipment plan
In Seller Central → Inventory → Send/Replenish Inventory:
- Select products and quantities
- Choose ship-from address
- Select packing type (individual products or case-packed)
Step 2: Choose placement option
Amazon presents split options with estimated placement fees. Select Amazon-optimized to avoid fees. Review the warehouse destinations.
Step 3: Prepare products
Each product needs:
- FNSKU barcode label — Amazon's internal barcode (not the manufacturer UPC)
- Proper packaging — Poly bag, bubble wrap, or box per Amazon's requirements
- Suffocation warning — Required on poly bags
As of January 2026, Amazon discontinued FBA Prep Services in the US. All inventory must arrive pre-labeled and prepped.
Step 4: Pack and label boxes
- Maximum box weight: 50 lbs (single-item boxes can go to 70 lbs)
- Maximum box dimensions: 25" x 25" x 25" for standard items
- Each box needs an Amazon shipment label (generated in Seller Central)
- Don't mix products from different shipment IDs in one box
Step 5: Ship
If using Amazon Partnered Carrier:
- Enter box dimensions and weights in Seller Central
- Accept the partnered carrier quote
- Print shipping labels
- Schedule pickup or drop off at authorized location
If using your own carrier:
- Enter tracking information in Seller Central
- Ship to the designated warehouse(s)
- Amazon receives and checks in your inventory (1-7 business days typically)
Calculate your Amazon FBA fees
See referral fees, fulfillment costs, and your net profit per unit.
Outbound shipping: What customers pay
For FBA sellers
Outbound shipping to customers is included in your FBA fulfillment fee. You don't pay extra when Amazon ships an order. Customers see:
- Prime members: Free shipping (included with Prime)
- Non-Prime customers: Free shipping on orders over $35, or standard shipping fees
This is a major advantage — Amazon's shipping infrastructure gets your product to customers in 1-2 days for Prime, which drives conversions.
For FBM sellers
If you fulfill orders yourself, you handle all outbound shipping. Amazon provides a shipping credit based on product category and shipping speed. For most products, the credit covers a portion (not all) of your actual shipping cost.
Hidden costs sellers miss
Prep center fees
If you don't prep inventory yourself, a third-party prep center charges:
- Labeling: $0.20-$0.50 per unit
- Poly bagging: $0.30-$0.75 per unit
- Inspection: $0.15-$0.30 per unit
- Bundling: $0.50-$1.50 per bundle
Total prep: $0.50-$2.00+ per unit on top of inbound shipping.
Unplanned service fees
If your inventory arrives at Amazon's warehouse without proper labels or prep:
- Labeling: $0.55 per unit
- Poly bagging: $0.70 per unit
These are more expensive than doing it yourself or using a prep center. Follow Amazon's packaging guidelines to avoid them.
Return shipping
When customers return FBA items, Amazon handles the return and deducts a return processing fee for certain categories. Returned items in sellable condition go back to your inventory. Unsellable returns require a removal order (additional fee).
Removal and disposal
Getting inventory back from Amazon costs:
- Standard items under 2 lbs: ~$0.97 per unit
- Heavier items: $2.89 base + $1.06 per lb above 2 lbs
- Disposal: $0.32-$4.19 per unit (cheaper than removal but you lose the inventory)
How to reduce FBA shipping costs
1. Use Amazon's partnered carriers
The savings are substantial — typically 50-70% off retail rates. There's rarely a reason to use your own carrier for SPD shipments unless you have negotiated enterprise rates.
2. Ship LTL or FTL when possible
Per-unit costs drop significantly with larger shipments. If you're sending 500+ units, palletize and use LTL. For 5,000+ units, get FTL quotes.
3. Choose Amazon-optimized splits
Paying $0 in placement fees and slightly more in carrier costs almost always beats minimal splits with placement surcharges.
4. Optimize packaging
Smaller, lighter packaging means:
- Lower inbound shipping costs (weight and dimensional pricing)
- Lower FBA fulfillment fees (size tier classification)
- Lower storage fees (less cubic footage)
A product that fits in a poly bag instead of a box can save $1-2 in fulfillment fees per unit.
5. Time your shipments
Avoid Q4 inbound delays by shipping holiday inventory by early October. Warehouse congestion in November-December can delay receiving by 2-3 weeks, meaning your products aren't available for sale during peak season.
6. Use Amazon Global Logistics for international shipments
If sourcing from China, Amazon Global Logistics (AGL) offers competitive ocean freight rates with direct delivery to FBA warehouses. Eliminates the need for a separate customs broker and freight forwarder for many sellers.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship to Amazon FBA?
Inbound FBA shipping costs $0.20-$1.50+ per unit depending on product size, shipment method, and distance. Amazon's partnered carrier program offers SPD rates of $0.30-$0.80 per unit and LTL rates of $0.15-$0.40 per unit. International shipments from China typically cost $1.00-$2.00+ per unit via sea freight.
What are Amazon FBA shipping fees?
Amazon FBA has two types of shipping-related fees: inbound shipping (what you pay to get products to Amazon's warehouse) and the FBA fulfillment fee ($3.06-$10+ per unit, which includes outbound shipping to customers). You may also pay an inbound placement fee ($0-$1.58/unit) if you don't use Amazon-optimized shipment splits.
Does Amazon FBA include shipping to customers?
Yes. The FBA fulfillment fee ($3.06-$10+ per unit) covers picking, packing, and shipping to customers — including Prime two-day delivery. You don't pay additional outbound shipping costs on FBA orders. You only pay for inbound shipping to get inventory to Amazon's warehouses.
What is the Amazon FBA inbound placement fee?
The inbound placement fee is a charge of $0.27-$1.58 per unit when you choose to send inventory to fewer fulfillment centers than Amazon recommends. Choose "Amazon-optimized shipment splits" (shipping to 4+ warehouses) to pay $0 in placement fees. Most sellers save money with Amazon-optimized splits despite higher carrier costs.
How long does it take for Amazon to receive FBA inventory?
After your shipment arrives at the fulfillment center, Amazon typically processes and checks in inventory within 1-7 business days. During peak season (October-December), receiving can take 2-3 weeks. Ship holiday inventory by early October to avoid delays.
Can I use my own shipping carrier for FBA?
Yes. You can use any carrier (UPS, FedEx, regional carriers) for inbound FBA shipments. However, Amazon's partnered carrier program typically saves 50-70% compared to retail rates. Unless you have negotiated enterprise rates with carriers, the partnered program is usually the best option.
What is the cheapest way to ship to Amazon FBA?
LTL (Less Than Truckload) through Amazon's partnered carrier program offers the lowest per-unit rates ($0.15-$0.40/unit). Combine this with Amazon-optimized shipment splits ($0 placement fee) for the cheapest total inbound cost. For smaller shipments, SPD through the partnered program ($0.30-$0.80/unit) is the best option.
Next steps
- Calculate total FBA costs — Amazon FBA Calculator
- Understand all FBA fees — Complete FBA Fee Breakdown
- Check seller fees by category — Amazon Seller Fees
- Set up your account — How to Sell on Amazon
- Optimize your listings — Amazon Listing SEO Checklist
Calculate your Amazon FBA fees
See referral fees, fulfillment costs, and your net profit per unit.
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Sources
- FBA Inbound Placement Service Fee – Amazon Seller Central
- Amazon Partnered Carrier Program – Amazon Seller Central
- Send to Amazon: Shipment Creation – Amazon Seller Central
- FBA Product Preparation Requirements – Amazon Seller Central
- Removal and Disposal Fees – Amazon Seller Central
- 2026 US Referral and FBA Fee Changes – Amazon Seller Central