Amazon Fulfillment vs China 3PL: Which Should You Use?

Selling online and stuck choosing between Amazon Fulfillment and a China 3PL?
Not sure which option fits your business model?
Worried about cost, control, or scaling the wrong way?

You’re asking the right questions.

I’ve seen sellers grow fast with both setups — and fail with both.
The difference isn’t the platform.
It’s how well the choice matches your strategy.

Let’s break it down clearly.

What Amazon Fulfillment Really Is

Amazon Fulfillment, usually called FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), means Amazon handles:

• Storage

• Picking and packing

• Shipping

• Customer service

• Returns

Once inventory arrives at an Amazon warehouse,
Amazon takes over.

This is designed for Amazon-first sellers.

Why Sellers Choose Amazon Fulfillment

FBA offers strong advantages.

• Fast delivery with Prime

• Higher Buy Box win rates

• Less daily operational work

• Trusted customer experience

For many sellers, FBA feels like freedom.

But that freedom has a price.

The Hidden Costs of Amazon Fulfillment

FBA is convenient, not cheap.

Common costs include:

• Storage fees

• Long-term storage penalties

• Fulfillment fees

• Return handling fees

You also give up flexibility.

Once inventory is in FBA,
your options shrink.

What a China 3PL Actually Does

A China 3PL (Third-Party Logistics provider) operates warehouses in China.

They handle:

• Inventory storage

• Order fulfillment

• Packaging

• Quality checks

• International shipping

Unlike Amazon,
a China 3PL works behind the scenes.

Why Sellers Use China 3PLs

China 3PLs are popular because they offer:

• Lower storage costs

• Flexible shipping options

• Better inventory control

• Multi-channel fulfillment

They’re ideal for sellers running:

• Shopify stores

• Multiple marketplaces

• Hybrid fulfillment models

What China 3PLs Don’t Do

China 3PLs don’t:

• Guarantee Prime shipping

• Manage Amazon customer service

• Handle marketplace returns automatically

You trade convenience for control.

Amazon Fulfillment vs China 3PL: Core Differences

Let’s compare them side by side.

Speed vs Flexibility

Amazon Fulfillment:

• Extremely fast delivery

• Limited control after inbound

China 3PL:

• Slower delivery

• Full control over routing and inventory

Cost Structure

Amazon Fulfillment:

• Higher per-unit costs

• Extra fees during peak seasons

China 3PL:

• Lower base costs

• More predictable pricing

Inventory Risk

Amazon Fulfillment:

• Overstocking penalties

• Strict storage rules

China 3PL:

• Flexible inventory holding

• Easier adjustments

Multi-Channel Selling

Amazon Fulfillment:

• Best for Amazon-only sales

China 3PL:

• Supports Shopify, Amazon, and more

A Short Real Example

One seller I worked with started fully on Amazon FBA.

Sales were strong.
Fees kept climbing.

They moved part of their inventory to a China 3PL.

Result:

• FBA used only for fast movers

• Slow movers stayed in China

• Storage fees dropped

• Cash flow improved

They didn’t abandon Amazon.
They optimized it.

When Amazon Fulfillment Makes Sense

Amazon Fulfillment is a strong choice if:

• Amazon is your main sales channel

• Speed and Prime matter most

• Margins can handle higher fees

• You want minimal operations work

It’s about leverage.

When a China 3PL Is the Better Option

A China 3PL works best if:

• You sell on Shopify or multiple channels

• You want inventory flexibility

• You care about cost control

• You need quality checks before shipping

It’s about control.

Can You Use Both? Yes.

Many advanced sellers do.

A hybrid setup might look like:

• China 3PL holds bulk inventory

• FBA handles fast-moving SKUs

• Replenishment is done in batches

This reduces risk on both sides.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing Based on Price Alone

Cheap without structure causes problems.

Ignoring Inventory Flow

Where inventory sits affects everything.

Overcommitting to One Model

Flexibility keeps you alive during disruptions.

What About Chinese New Year?

This is where planning matters.

• Amazon FBA doesn’t pause

• China production does

Using a China 3PL allows:

• Early stocking

• Buffer inventory

• Smoother Q1 operations

  
  

FAQs

“Is Amazon Fulfillment always faster?”

Yes, but speed isn’t everything.

“Is a China 3PL safe?”

Yes, with the right partner.

“Can a China 3PL ship to Amazon FBA?”

Yes, that’s common.

“Which option is cheaper?”

It depends on volume and structure.

“Should beginners use FBA?”

Often yes, but with caution.

Final Thoughts

So, Amazon Fulfillment vs China 3PL — which should you use?

There’s no universal answer.

Amazon Fulfillment gives you speed and simplicity.
China 3PL gives you control and flexibility.

The smartest sellers don’t pick sides.
They build systems that adapt.

That’s how you scale without losing sleep.