Amazon 3PL explained: How third-party logistics can boost your FBA success

If you are an Amazon seller, you already know the grind. Product sourcing, packaging, labeling, inventory, shipping, etc., all while trying to keep your ratings high and customers happy. But here’s a lesser known strategy top sellers use: Amazon third-party logistics (3PL).

These behind-the-scenes MVPs handle the heavy lifting, letting sellers focus on growing their business. 

Whether you are into FBA or you are a high-volume ecommerce pro, using a prep center might just be the smartest move you make this year.

What is an Amazon FBA fulfillment center (FC)?

These are the physical warehouses where Amazon stores FBA inventory. In order to have your inventory fulfilled by Amazon, you need to send it to one or more FCs.

Once your product arrives at an FC, prep and labeling must be verified.To ensure everything runs smoothly, Amazon has clear and detailed prep requirements. Products need to be accurately labeled, packaged, poly-bagged, and bundled according to their guidelines. Meeting these standards helps your inventory move quickly and efficiently through Amazon’s network.

In the past, Amazon offered prep and labeling services to help sellers stay compliant with these requirements. Beginning January 1, 2026, these services will no longer be available in the U.S., so sellers will be responsible for preparing inventory to Amazon’s standards before it arrives at a fulfillment center.

This is where an Amazon prep center becomes essential.

What is Amazon 3PL?

An Amazon third party logistics provider (3PL) specializes in preparing your inventory to meet all of Amazon’s (or other online marketplace) requirements before it’s shipped to an FFCr. 

Think of them as your backstage crew: they receive your products, check for damage or defects, prep and pack your products according to specifications, apply necessary labels like FNSKU labels, and send your inventory to Amazon FCs.

A quality prep center ensures your products are fully compliant, so you can focus on growing your business without worrying about Amazon’s increasingly strict rules.

Why Amazon sellers use 3PL 

Time is a limited resource. As your business grows, so will your need to automate and delegate. Here's why using a prep center can be a game changer for your business:

1. Saves you time

No more late nights spent printing Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit (FNSKU) labels or wrapping products in poly bags. 

Prep centers take care of all of those time-consuming tasks for you. From labelling to detailing, they handle each and every detail so that you don't have to. 

2. Reduces risk of Amazon violations

Amazon has zero tolerance for labeling and packaging errors and even small mistakes can lead to delays or penalties. 

Prep centers know the rules and follow them to the letter, helping you avoid costly mistakes and keep your operations running smoothly. 

3. Enables remote selling

Live overseas? Traveling? Or just want the freedom to run your business from your laptop? A prep center lets you do that. 

Your products typically move from the supplier to the 3PL and then to the Amazon fulfillment center, streamlining much of the process. In some cases, brands may need to handle inventory before it arrives at the 3PL, but most of the prepping and shipping work is managed for you. This saves you time and reduces hassle.

4. Scales with your business

As your order volume grows, so does the complexity of your logistics. 

A good prep center grows with you-handling more SKUs, more shipments, and even inventory requirements around seasonal demand spikes, so you can keep growing without missing a beat. 

What services do Amazon prep centers offer?

While every prep center is a bit different and operates differently, most offer a wide range of warehouse & order fulfillment services tailored specifically to Amazon sellers. Here is a breakdown:

Receiving & inspection

Prep centers receive shipments directly from your manufacturer, supplier, or from your warehouse and inspect everything for quantity, quality, and damage.

Labeling & barcoding

Applying FNKSU labels, bagging/poly-bagging, bubble wrapping, suffocation warning labels,—yep, they do it all and make sure it’s 100% compliant with Amazon’s FBA guidelines.

Multi-kitting

Selling sets or bundles is only one thing, prep centers will assemble and package them for you so they're ready to be listed on Amazon.

Protective packaging

Some products require bubble wrap, shrink wrap, or poly bags. Prep centers ensure your items are properly protected for transport.

Shipment creation & forwarding

Many centers will go into your Seller Central account, create the shipping plan, and forward your items to Amazon fulfillment centers, a fully hands-off process.

Warehouse storage

Need to hold inventory before sending it to Amazon? Many prep centers offer warehouse and order fulfillment storage options, so you don’t have to ship everything at once.

How to choose the right Amazon prep center

Not all prep centers are created equal. Every prep center has its own features. Here is what you should consider when picking one:

1. Location

Having a prep center located near your headquarters,  supplier or an Amazon FC can significantly cut down on both your shipping time and costs. Strategic location means faster delivery, lower freight expenses, and a more efficient supply chain overall.

2. Pricing structure

Prep centers price their services differently while some charge per unit, others by the hour, and some use subscription models. It’s important to understand your numbers and compare overall costs to find the best fit for your business and budget.

3. Turnaround time and accuracy

Speed is crucial, especially during high-demand periods like Q4 or Prime Day, when delays can lead to lost sales. Always ask about a 3PL's average processing times and their track record for accuracy. 

It's important to choose a partner who can process your orders quickly and also get the details right, since mistakes or mislabeling can also result in costly delays. Make sure your 3PL can keep up when it matters most.

4. Service range

Find out if the prep center offers services like multi-packs, or special requirements for packaging. The more options they provide, the more flexibility you’ll have to scale and adapt your business as it grows.

5. Communication & support

You need a responsive team that keeps you informed and never leaves your inventory hanging. Reliable communication and 24/7 support are essential to ensure smooth, uninterrupted operations.

Top 5 best 3PL for Amazon sellers

Seller success story: Vetnique & Pattern partnership

Vetnique, a veterinarian-founded pet health brand, partnered with Pattern to address rising shipping costs and Amazon check-in delays. By leveraging Pattern’s dedicated prep center, Vetnique achieved:

• Products fully received by Amazon in just 7 days (on average)
• Over 539,000 FBA units processed and shipped year-to-date
• Freed up internal resources and postponed hiring needs

Pattern’s streamlined process reduced fees, improved stock availability, and made logistics more efficient, positioning Vetnique for continued growth.

Read the full case study here.

Let the pros handle the prep

Managing your brand on Amazon shouldn’t involve meticulous work on the day-to-day details of labeling, packaging, and prepping inventory. 

By working with a proven 3PL, you can free up resources and focus on building your brand while specialists handle the logistical complexities. Pattern offers a fully automated, technology-driven Marketplace Prep Solution that streamlines everything from packaging to shipping, getting your products into Amazon’s network faster and with less hassle. 

If you’d like to see how Pattern’s approach can make a difference for your business, schedule a call with our team. 

Frequently asked questions