FBA vs FBM calculator
Should Amazon ship it, or should you? For one order of your item, this puts Amazon's 2026 FBA fee and the storage while it waits at Amazon next to what shipping it yourself costs: the label, the box and your time. The referral fee is the same either way, so it's left out.
Large standard, 0.185 cubic feet: storage at $1.19 a cubic foot a month, the year's average of Amazon's rate. The FBA fee is today's non-peak rate with the 3.5% surcharge.
How it's worked out
- FBA = the 2026 FBA fee for the item's size tier, shipping weight and price, plus storage (cubic feet × Amazon's monthly rate × the months a unit waits), plus what it costs to get a unit to Amazon.
- FBM = the shipping label, the packaging and the time to pick and pack (minutes ÷ 60 × the hourly cost).
- The referral fee is a share of the price either way, so it doesn't change the answer.
In the example, FBA comes to $7.35 an order (a $6.31 fee, $0.44 of storage and $0.60 to get it there) and FBM to $7.85. Shipping it yourself costs the same at a $6.00 label.
What the numbers leave out
- The Prime badge. FBA offers carry Prime, which usually helps them win the Buy Box and convert better; FBM offers only carry it through Seller Fulfilled Prime, with Amazon's delivery-speed requirements.
- Returns. Amazon handles FBA returns (its returns processing fee applies in some categories past a return-rate threshold: see the returns processing fee guide); with FBM you handle them.
- Peak months and space. Storage costs more from October to December, and Amazon limits how much you can store. FBM needs room, and someone to pack every day.
- Slow and bulky items often cost less shipped yourself; small, fast sellers usually cost less through FBA.
FBA vs FBM questions
Can I do both?
Yes: many sellers keep fast sellers on FBA and ship big, slow or seasonal items themselves, or switch an item to FBM when its FBA stock runs out. MyProfit shows profit by product either way, and its Ship orders page buys Amazon shipping labels for your FBM orders.
What does the FBA fee alone come to?
The FBA fee calculator shows it at both seasons, and the size tier calculator what keeps your item out of a cheaper tier.
See what every order really costs you, FBA or FBM
MyProfit pulls your orders, fees, settlements, returns and ad spend from Amazon every night and shows your real profit by product, day and payout. 30 days of everything free, then $19.99 a month, or keep the free plan: it finds the money Amazon still owes you and checks your FBA fees, for good.