Ecommerce Fulfillment Centers

Best 3PLs for Amazon Sellers

By EFC Editorial · Updated · How we research

Quick answer

If your inventory already sits in FBA and you want other channels served from it, Amazon MCF is the simplest choice. If you want a 3PL to hold bulk stock and feed FBA, Flexport (import, FBA/WFS replenishment, DTC and B2B on one platform) and ShipBob (FBA prep plus multi-node DTC) are the strongest fits here. Red Stag handles oversized Amazon items, including Seller Fulfilled Prime. eFulfillment Service and Thrive 3PL suit smaller sellers who want FBA prep and merchant-fulfilled orders with no minimum or on month-to-month terms.

Key takeaways

  • Amazon MCF uses FBA inventory and FBA storage fees, and ships in unbranded packaging by default.
  • A US 3PL with FBA prep lets you keep bulk inventory outside Amazon and replenish FBA as needed.
  • Amazon adds a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge to US MCF fees and runs holiday peak fees from Oct. 15, 2026 to Jan. 14, 2027.
  • Red Stag lists FBA prep, FBM and Seller Fulfilled Prime for oversized items.
  • Dropshipping is a different model: the supplier ships, and no 3PL holds your stock.

Best for sellers already on FBA: Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF)

MCF fulfills orders from Shopify, Walmart, TikTok Shop and other channels out of the same FBA inventory pool, with 3-day standard and 2-day expedited speeds and a published fee schedule. There's no stated minimum or long-term contract. Not a fit if you need branded packaging, kitting or B2B retail orders, or if FBA storage limits and fees are already a constraint.

Visit Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF)

Best for importers replenishing FBA and Walmart: Flexport (eCom & B2B Fulfillment)

Flexport combines freight forwarding with fulfillment (built on the Deliverr network it bought from Shopify in 2023): import, FBA and WFS replenishment, DTC and B2B on one platform, which it says is free for customers. Pricing is quote-only and no facility count is published. Trustpilot reviewers of Flexport overall report inbound delays and unexpected fees, so check SLAs in writing.

Visit Flexport (eCom & B2B Fulfillment)

Best for FBA prep plus multi-node DTC: ShipBob

ShipBob lists Amazon FBA prep alongside DTC, B2B/EDI and TikTok Shop, and runs 50+ fulfillment centers (its claim), so one inventory pool can serve Amazon replenishment and your own site. Pricing is custom-quoted. Not a fit if you only sell on Amazon and don't need a DTC channel.

Visit ShipBob

Best for oversized Amazon items: Red Stag Fulfillment

Red Stag focuses on products bigger than a toaster or heavier than 10 pounds and lists FBA prep, FBM and Seller Fulfilled Prime for oversized items, with guarantees on shrink, mispicks and late shipments. Quote-only. Not a fit for small, light items.

Visit Red Stag Fulfillment

Best for small sellers wanting no minimum: eFulfillment Service (EFS)

eFulfillment Service lists Amazon FBA prep and marketplace integrations including Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Etsy and TikTok Shop, with no minimum, no setup fee and no long-term contract. It has one Michigan warehouse and its pricing sits behind a login. Not a fit if you need two-coast coverage.

Visit eFulfillment Service (EFS)

Best for Amazon plus retail on month-to-month terms: Thrive 3PL

Thrive 3PL in Houston lists FBA prep, EDI retail and integrations with Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, Faire and Wayfair, on month-to-month terms for 200–20,000 orders a month. Onboarding typically costs $200–$500, per the company. Rates are quote-only, and it's a single warehouse.

Visit Thrive 3PL

What is the best 3PL for Amazon FBA sellers?

Provider Amazon services Other channels Pricing Not a fit if
Amazon MCF Uses FBA inventory Shopify, Walmart, TikTok Shop, eBay, Etsy and more Published per-unit fees You need branded packaging
Flexport Import + FBA/WFS replenishment DTC, B2B Quote You need published rates
ShipBob FBA prep DTC, B2B/EDI, TikTok Shop Quote Amazon-only seller
Red Stag FBA prep, FBM, SFP (oversized) DTC, retail/EDI Quote Small, light products
eFulfillment Service FBA prep Walmart, eBay, Etsy, TikTok Shop Behind login You need two coasts
Thrive 3PL FBA prep Retail EDI, Walmart, Faire Quote; $200–$500 onboarding You need multiple warehouses

Should Amazon sellers use MCF or a 3PL for other channels?

MCF makes sense when Amazon is your biggest channel and other channels are smaller: one inventory pool, no extra warehouse. A 3PL makes sense when your own site is growing, you want branded unboxing, or you ship wholesale. Many sellers do both: a 3PL holds bulk stock and ships DTC, and replenishes FBA. For a direct comparison, see ShipBob vs Amazon MCF.

What does FBA prep at a 3PL involve?

FBA prep means getting inventory ready to meet Amazon's inbound requirements: labeling units, bagging or bundling where needed, building cartons and pallets, and sending shipments into Amazon's network. Ask any 3PL:

  • Which prep tasks are included, and which are per-unit add-ons?
  • How quickly after receiving can it ship to FBA?
  • Does it handle Amazon's inbound appointment and labeling steps?
  • Can it split one inbound container between FBA and its own DTC stock?

What is the best 3PL for dropshipping?

A 3PL isn't a dropshipper. With dropshipping, your supplier ships directly to the customer and you never hold inventory. With a 3PL, you own the inventory and the 3PL stores and ships it. If you want your products to feel branded and ship fast, you need to own inventory at a 3PL. Some 3PLs also ship dropship orders to retailers' customers on your behalf: ShipCalm publishes a drop-ship rate of $3.65 per order.

Is Walmart Fulfillment Services an alternative for Amazon sellers?

For sellers also on Walmart Marketplace, yes. WFS fulfills Walmart.com orders, and its Multichannel Solutions can fulfill your own site, Amazon, eBay and TikTok orders from the same inventory. It states no setup, monthly or hidden fees, accepts items up to 500 lb and handles non-perishable items only.

Frequently asked questions

Is Amazon a 3PL or 4PL?

Amazon acts as a 3PL through FBA and MCF: it stores, picks, packs and ships your inventory. It isn't a 4PL, which would manage other logistics providers on your behalf.

Can a 3PL send inventory to Amazon FBA?

Yes. ShipBob, Flexport, Red Stag, eFulfillment Service, Thrive 3PL, ShipMonk and Tondo Fulfillment all list FBA prep or FBA replenishment.

Does Amazon MCF use branded packaging?

MCF ships in unbranded packaging by default, per Amazon's MCF page.

Does MCF have a monthly minimum?

Amazon states no minimum, but MCF requires an Amazon seller account and inventory stored in FBA.

Does Amazon use ShipMonk?

We found no public source stating that Amazon uses ShipMonk. ShipMonk lists Amazon as an integration and offers FBA prep for sellers.

Sources