Amazon sellers often reach a point where relying only on internal operations or Amazon’s own logistics network starts to create operational and margin pressure. Rising storage fees, inventory limits, stricter delivery requirements and the need to support multiple sales channels all push sellers to evaluate an Amazon 3PL that can handle fulfillment more strategically.
A strong 3PL for Amazon sellers does more than store inventory. It should support FBA prep, labeling, inbound shipments to Amazon fulfillment centers, FBM orders, Seller-Fulfilled Prime requirements and non-Amazon orders from channels like Shopify, Walmart and wholesale accounts.
For brands that want to grow without becoming fully dependent on Amazon’s ecosystem, choosing the right partner matters.
An Amazon 3PL s a third-party logistics provider that stores inventory, prepares products for Amazon compliance and fulfills orders on behalf of Amazon sellers.
Unlike relying entirely on Amazon programs, an external provider gives sellers more control over inventory placement, shipping flexibility and cost management.
A qualified provider should support:
For sellers still building their provider shortlist, reviewing how to choose a 3pl provider helps establish the right evaluation criteria early.
Amazon Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) allows sellers to send inventory into Amazon’s warehouse network, where Amazon handles picking, packing, shipping and customer service.
Benefits include:
However, FBA also creates challenges:
This is why many brands combine FBA with a 3PL for Amazon FBA support model.
Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) means orders placed on Amazon are fulfilled directly by the seller or a third-party logistics partner.
A 3PL handling FBM helps sellers:
FBM is often valuable for oversized products, slower-moving SKUs or brands protecting margin.
Seller-Fulfilled Prime (SFP) allows sellers to display the Prime badge while fulfilling orders themselves through a qualifying logistics network.
A capable 3PL helps sellers meet:
Not every provider has the network density to support this consistently.
Finding the right Amazon 3PL requires evaluating how well a provider supports FBA, FBM and your broader selling strategy.
Before choosing a provider, sellers should also review the key questions before choosing a 3pl to avoid operational gaps later.
| Factor | Key Question | Why it matters for Amazon sellers |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution location | Are warehouses close to Amazon customers? | Faster transit improves FBM and Prime performance |
| Scalability | Can volume spikes during Prime Day and Q4 be handled? | Amazon demand shifts quickly |
| Fulfillment accuracy | Are SLA targets consistently met? | Errors affect account health |
| Integration | Does it connect with Seller Central and marketplaces? | Integration reduces manual work |
| Fees | Are pricing and storage transparent? | Hidden fees reduce profitability |
Sellers comparing national providers should also review the best 3pl companies in the US because network location directly affects shipping performance.
The right provider depends on order volume, SKU mix, fulfillment complexity and whether Amazon is your only channel.
Brands expanding beyond marketplace-only selling often compare providers listed among the best 3pl companies for ecommerce because multi-channel strength increasingly matters.
| Provider | Customer support | Fulfillment speed | FBA prep | FBM / SFP support | Multi-channel fulfillment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cart.com | Dedicated account managers | 2-day shipping | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Scaling D2C and B2B brands |
| Amazon FBA | Limited seller support | Prime 2-day shipping | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Amazon-only sellers |
| Amazon MCF | Standard support | Standard Amazon speeds | Limited | Limited | ✅ | Marketplace extension |
| ShipBob | Email and chat | 2-day shipping | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Small ecommerce brands |
| Red Stag Fulfillment | Dedicated support | Fast parcel shipping | ✅ | ✅ | Limited | Heavy products |
| eFulfillment Service | Standard support | Standard shipping | ✅ | Limited | ✅ | Small sellers |
Cart.com is built for brands that want Amazon fulfillment support without limiting growth to Amazon alone.
Cart.com supports:
With 14 nationwide fulfillment centers, Cart.com gives brands access to omnichannel fulfillment while maintaining Amazon compliance.
Brands shipping across multiple channels also benefit from integrated ecommerce fulfillment capabilities.
For marketplace growth, Cart.com also offers marketplace services and marketplace management software.
Operational visibility is strengthened through connected fulfillment software.
Beyond order fulfillment, brands can improve retention through integrated customer engagement.
Best for: sellers scaling across Amazon, DTC, wholesale and retail channels.
Compared to Amazon FBA and MCF: stronger inventory flexibility, dedicated support and broader fulfillment control.
Get FBA prep, FBM support and omnichannel fulfillment from a single 3PL partner.
Amazon FBA remains the default fulfillment choice for many sellers because of Prime eligibility and built-in delivery speed.
However, costs rise as storage periods increase and inventory restrictions tighten.
Best for: high-velocity products.
Compared to Cart.com: less flexibility and less cross-channel support.
Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment extends Amazon inventory to other channels.
Limitations include Amazon-branded packaging and reduced brand control.
Best for: sellers already deeply tied to Amazon inventory.
Compared to Cart.com: less customization.
ShipBob is a common option for smaller ecommerce brands.
It offers straightforward onboarding but can become less cost-efficient at scale.
Best for: small to mid-sized ecommerce sellers.
Compared to Cart.com: less enterprise flexibility.
Red Stag Fulfillment is often selected for oversized and fragile products.
Best for: heavy parcel fulfillment.
Compared to Cart.com: narrower network footprint.
eFulfillment Service serves smaller sellers looking for lower entry requirements.
Best for: low-volume sellers.
Compared to Cart.com: less scalability.
A 3PL stores inventory, prepares products for Amazon and fulfills orders directly for sellers.
Yes. Cart.com supports labeling, prep and shipment routing into Amazon fulfillment centers.
FBA uses Amazon warehouses. A 3PL gives sellers more inventory flexibility and channel control.
Many sellers do, especially for overflow storage, FBM or multi-channel fulfillment.
Because it combines Amazon execution with broader logistics flexibility.
Before deciding, sellers should also understand the advantages and disadvantages of a 3PL.
Amazon sellers increasingly need more than storage.
They need:
Cart.com supports all of it.
Cart.com supports Amazon sellers with FBA prep, FBM and full omnichannel logistics.