The three options.
FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon): Send your inventory to Amazon's AU fulfilment centres. Amazon picks, packs, ships, handles returns, and qualifies for Prime. You pay FBA fees (storage + per-unit pick&pack + size-based fees).
MCF (Multi-Channel Fulfilment): Use Amazon's fulfilment for orders that come from outside Amazon (Shopify, BigCommerce, etc). Higher per-unit fees than FBA, no Prime badge.
3PL with Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP): You use your own 3PL but qualify for Prime by meeting Amazon's strict performance criteria (delivery speed, accuracy). Only some AU 3PLs are SFP-certified.
Cost comparison.
FBA AU fees as of 2026 (typical, varies by category): Storage $36–$48/m³/month standard, more for long-term. Per-unit fulfilment $4.50–$8.20 depending on size band. Plus referral fees (8–15% of sale price).
Standalone AU 3PL: $32 pallet/month storage (≈$12/m³ when packed), $3.95 first pick + $0.95 additional, $9–$11 average shipping. For typical 500-2,000 orders/mo brands, 3PL economics are 25–40% cheaper than FBA on the fulfilment line, before referral fees.
When to use FBA.
When the Prime badge significantly lifts your conversion rate (most brands see 15–30% lift on Amazon listings).
When you're early-stage and don't have AU fulfilment in place yet — FBA is faster to launch.
For pure-play Amazon brands where Amazon is 80%+ of revenue.
When to use a 3PL.
When Amazon is one channel among several (Shopify, wholesale, marketplaces) and you need consolidated inventory.
When you're at scale and FBA fees outweigh the Prime conversion lift.
When you need capabilities Amazon doesn't offer (kitting, GWP, custom packaging, retail-ready delivery to Coles/Woolies).
The hybrid model — most successful AU brands.
Send fast-moving SKUs to FBA, slow-movers to your 3PL. Use the 3PL for marketplace consolidation, retail trading, and to escape FBA long-term storage fees on slow stock.
Use the 3PL as your inbound point — receive inbound, hold buffer, and replenish FBA from there. This avoids Amazon's strict inbound packaging requirements and gives you SKU-level control.
FBA inbound and labelling.
Amazon AU has tight inbound prep requirements: barcode (FNSKU or ASIN), poly-bag for soft goods, suffocation warnings on bagged items, master case labelling per Amazon's Inbound Shipment guidance. Most AU 3PLs offer Amazon prep services for inbound consolidation.
Get matched with Amazon-aware AU 3PLs.
Need a 3PL that handles FBA prep, MCF, or Seller Fulfilled Prime? We'll match you with vetted partners that trade Amazon AU at scale.
Get matched →Frequently asked
- Is FBA cheaper than a 3PL in Australia?
- Per-unit fulfilment fees are usually higher with FBA than a competitive AU 3PL — but Amazon-only brands often see enough Prime conversion lift to justify it. Multi-channel brands typically save 20–40% by running their own 3PL with FBA only for fast-movers.
- Can I use a 3PL and qualify for Prime?
- Yes — through Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP). Your 3PL must be SFP-certified by Amazon, meaning they meet on-time delivery and accuracy thresholds. Only some AU 3PLs are certified.
- How do I avoid Amazon long-term storage fees?
- Set up a 3PL relationship for buffer inventory and replenish FBA in 60–90 day waves. Anything older than 270 days at FBA gets hit with long-term storage fees. Cycling through a 3PL avoids this.
Cite this page as: 3PL Compare. (2026). Amazon AU FBA vs 3PL — fees, fulfilment, and the right mix (2026). Retrieved from https://3plcompare.com.au/amazon-au-fba-vs-3pl