TL;DR
- Rising FBA costs, inventory restrictions, and slower ship times are pushing sellers to explore alternatives to Amazon fulfillment through third-party logistics providers.
- Switching to a 3PL is faster than most sellers expect. API integrations with carts like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento can be set up and tested in as little as 1 to 2 days.
- The best fulfillment alternative to Amazon FBA includes dual-coast warehousing for zone skipping, which cuts shipping time and cost without building your own infrastructure.
- A 3PL gives you scalability, supply chain optimization, and international freight capabilities.
Amazon is running out of warehouse space and is even encouraging sellers to move to a FBM model with free transport of inventory
Amazon has made huge changes to their shipping and logistics. If you are a current FBA seller, shopping an alternative option for your fulfillment needs is warranted and recommended. Rising costs, slower ship times, further inventory restrictions, and an overall logistics mess is causing many Amazon sellers to shop for 3PL service providers. We have a guide of what to look for and consider as you transition from an FBA seller to an FBM model.
Do it now as Amazon is offering a free removals promotion to help with your transition:
Ease of Setup – API’s to Setup to your Cart
When looking for a 3PL fulfillment partner – ease of setup and API’s for your cart to talk to the 3PL’s WMS (warehouse management system) is critical. A 3PL should be able to connect to your various carts (Amazon, Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, etc.) and make it easy to transition your fulfillment process to their systems. This can take as little as 1-2 days to setup and test, then it is simply a matter of transferring your inventory. Ensure your 3PL provider can provide an easy setup to ease the transition and help you scale into the future.
Fulfillment Rates – Save Time and Money for Your Company with LTL and Zone Skipping
Do you know how much a warehouse will cost? What about the human capital, racks, forklifts, WMS, and more? There is not only the financial investment of each resource, but the opportunity cost as well. It will take time for your warehousing staff to build a process for supply chain management, warehousing best practices, assembly lines, pick and pack, kitting and assembly, and sanitation. A 3PL service provider already has a warehouse, and if they are a good 3PL service provider, they have one on the West Coast and East Coast in the US to offer zone skipping and faster order fulfillment. Save time and money today on your logistics needs by utilizing a 3PL service provider.
Logistics and Order Fulfillment Network
A 3PL provider has an extensive network to offer solutions through each step in your supply chain. Leveraging a 3PL company allows you to have the same network and optimize your supply chain management from beginning to end. A network of logistics companies allows you to minimize overhead costs and improve service and ship times. Plus, a 3PL provider can customize who you use to get the maximum benefit at the best value or cost.
Optimize Your Supply Chain
3PL providers like NovEx Supply Chain have the resources and knowledge to continuously improve your supply chain. Think of it as continually strengthening the weakest link on a chain – logistics professionals will thoroughly examine every step of your supply chain management process and make adjustment by leveraging cost-effective and efficient strategies. The best 3PL companies offer tools, technology, experience, and knowledge to monitor and analyze logistics practices and eliminate inefficiencies in your supply chain.
Scalability, Flexibility, and Agility
One of the primary advantages of hiring a 3PL service provider is the ability to scale your supply chain specifically to your company’s product and inventory management needs. A 3PL service provider enables further growth into new territories and regions of the world, while offering international freight forwarding, customs clearance, zone skipping, and more. There is less waste as the best 3PL companies offer solutions that are specific to your needs to ensure money savings, time savings, and a better customer experience.
Order fulfillment and order processing are key elements to your business and your customer experience. Advanced order processing systems and automations can help, as can the right partner for your logistics needs. NovEx Supply Chain meets all the requirements above making us the perfect partner for taking control of your inventory back from Amazon. If you have any questions, please contact us at contact@novexit.com. We are your order fulfillment and logistics partner.
FAQs
Why are Amazon sellers looking for alternatives to Amazon fulfillment?
Amazon has faced warehouse capacity constraints, rising fees, and tightening inventory restrictions that limit how much stock FBA sellers can hold. These pressures, combined with slower ship times during peak periods, have led many sellers to explore Amazon fulfillment alternatives that offer more control, predictable costs, and greater operational flexibility.
What is the difference between FBA and FBM?
FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) means Amazon stores and ships your inventory from its own warehouses. FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) means the seller handles fulfillment independently, typically through a 3PL partner. FBM gives sellers more control over inventory, packaging, and the customer experience, while still selling on the Amazon marketplace.
How hard is it to switch from FBA to a 3PL?
The transition is more straightforward than many sellers expect. A 3PL with the right technology can connect to your existing sales channels through API integrations in as little as 1 to 2 days. Once the systems are linked and inventory is transferred, order fulfillment runs through the 3PL’s warehouse management system automatically.
What should I look for in a fulfillment alternative to Amazon FBA?
Key criteria include ease of system integration with your existing carts, dual-coast warehouse locations for zone skipping and faster delivery, transparent pricing, and the ability to scale with your volume. A strong 3PL will also offer services like kitting, pick and pack, international freight forwarding, and customs clearance, capabilities that FBA does not provide.
Can a 3PL help me save money compared to FBA?
Yes, in many cases. A 3PL eliminates the overhead of running your own warehouse including staff, equipment, and a warehouse management system, while offering bulk shipping rates and zone skipping to reduce per-order costs. Sellers with diverse SKUs, oversized products, or high storage needs often find 3PL pricing more predictable and cost-effective than FBA fees, which fluctuate seasonally.
Does switching to FBM affect my Amazon seller performance metrics?
It can, which is why choosing the right 3PL matters. Amazon holds FBM sellers to strict delivery speed and accuracy standards. A reliable fulfillment alternative to Amazon FBA must consistently meet those benchmarks to protect your seller account health and maintain customer satisfaction ratings.