What is Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)? The Basics

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a useful storage and shipping solution that Amazon provides its third-party vendors. 

Essentially, this service makes it easier for sellers to get their products to their customers, without the hassle of having to do all the shipping themselves. All it takes is for an FBA seller to ship products to Amazon fulfillment centers, and it’s smooth sailing from there. 

Let’s take a look at the basics of how FBA shipping works. 

How Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Works

What is FBA, and how does it work? 

The process itself is pretty simple. Third-party vendors ship products to Amazon fulfillment centers, where they are stored for later distribution. With its vast logistics experience and resources, Amazon takes care of the rest. 

That means they handle the receiving, sorting, packing, shipping, and tracking of items, according to their well-established methods. Amazon even takes care of returns, damage claims, and handles reimbursements (read more about this important aspect of FBA shipping). 

And that’s it. Freed of the need to worry about shipping logistics, small businesses can focus on their product quality and getting the word out. 

So let’s take a look at how Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) works: 

1. Create a Seller Account

If you don’t have one already, you need to start by creating a “Selling on Amazon” account. Then, select “Fulfillment by Amazon” to get started. 

Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to start shipping products and making money. 

2. Populate the Catalog

The next step is to add your inventory to Amazon’s catalog. This is a simple procedure that can be done individually, or in groups or batches. 

3. Pack and Ship

Now that you’ve added your products to the catalog, it’s time to ship them. 

Go ahead and pack your items securely, and ship them to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Be sure to take advantage of Amazon Partnered Carrier options to reduce your shipping costs. 

4. Sell!

That’s all there is to it. Now it’s just a matter of making a sale. Amazon takes care of the rest, placing your products in their own packages and getting them to the customer. 

The Advantages of FBA Shipping

Using FBA options is a great way to streamline your business operations. 

Here are just some of the advantages of availing yourself of Fulfillment by Amazon services: 

• Easy Fulfillment Process: This is the obvious major benefit of using FBA. By letting Amazon handle the entire shipping and fulfillment process, you can concentrate on what you do best. 
• Reduce Shipping Costs: This is one of the greatest benefits of using FBA—it keeps shipping costs low.
• Return Management: Another hassle of doing business is the return process. But Fulfillment by Amazon handles this as well, which lets you get on with your business. 
• Worldwide Distribution: By piggybacking onto Amazon’s distribution services, you can easily take your business’ reach to a global market. 

Make the Most of FBA Services

There’s really no reason not to take advantage of Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) services. It’s a great way to avoid hassle and save money, while expanding the reach of your business. 

So get started with your FBA account today. And if you’re looking for more great business advice, please check out the rest of our site.