Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) — Definition & 2025 Operational Scope Updated Oct 30, 2025
Source: Amazon Seller Central, Amazon Seller News (May 2025), and WinsBS Research.
Industry Standard Definition
View Official Definition
Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) is a logistics service where sellers send products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Amazon then manages picking, packing, shipping, customer service, and returns for those products.
— Amazon Seller Central Glossary (Accessed Oct 2025)
Regional Variations (2025)
View Regional Differences
| Region | Local Term | Key Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA) | Prime eligibility, Buy Box priority, and IPI score influence (threshold 500 as of May 2025). |
| China (Cross-border) | 亚马逊物流 | Amazon FBA | UFLPA entity list checks, VAT prepayment, and headhaul cost dependency. |
| European Union | FBA Pan-EU | VAT OSS compliance with multi-country inventory distribution. |
Expert Analysis — WinsBS Research
View Analyst Insight
Michael, Senior Supply Chain Analyst at WinsBS Research (15+ years cross-border experience):
“FBA is no longer just a storage model — it’s a visibility multiplier. The 2025 update raising the Inventory Performance Index (IPI) threshold to 500 reflects Amazon’s push toward faster inventory rotation. Sellers with average turnover cycles beyond 45 days now face incremental storage surcharges of up to 3× the baseline, forcing real-time inventory planning.”
Critical Risk Terms (2025)
FBA FAQ — Common Questions
Is FBA available for all sellers?
Yes, both individual and professional sellers can use FBA. However, professional plans gain access to additional analytics, Prime eligibility, and volume discounts.
How is FBA different from FBM?
In FBA, Amazon handles storage, fulfillment, and customer service. In FBM, the seller ships directly to customers and manages support independently.
What is the 2025 IPI threshold for FBA?
The Inventory Performance Index (IPI) threshold increased to 500 in 2025, requiring inventory turnover under 45 days to avoid overage fees.
WinsBS Blog Insights
2025 FBA IPI Policy Deep Dive: Avoid 300% Storage Fee Surge
Inventory turnover below 45 days is now the baseline for optimized storage fees. Learn how to align IPI strategy with Amazon’s new thresholds.
Read Full Analysis →
UFLPA & FBA: How to Avoid Detention at Amazon FCs
34% audit risk for China-origin goods in 2025. Use our DHS-based compliance checklist to prevent inventory detention under UFLPA scrutiny.
Read Full Guide →
Optimize FBA Inbound: Reduce Rejection Rate by 60%
Practical lessons from 500+ shipments — how to improve labeling, packaging, and Partnered Carrier use to cut inbound rejection.
Read Case Study →Content Attribution & License
General definitions and public references are shared under the CC BY-SA 4.0 License.
Analytical insights and policy interpretations labeled as “WinsBS Research” are original works © WinsBS Research (2025) and licensed exclusively to WinsBS Wiki for educational use.
Data references include Amazon Seller News (May 2025), DHS UFLPA Entity List (Aug 2025), and verified Amazon fee update documentation.
* Information verified as of October 2025. WinsBS Research assumes no liability for policy changes after publication.
