Fulfillment< @ >HQ Group
Amazon Fulfillment vs China 3PL: Which Should You Use?
FBA or China 3PL? Your business model decides — here's how.
If you're selling online and scaling, this question always comes up.
I've worked with sellers using both models.
Each works — but for very different reasons.
Amazon FBA means you send inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers.
Amazon stores, packs, ships, and handles customer service.
Best for:
Amazon-first sellers | Prime-driven conversion | Simple SKU catalogs
Key advantages:
Prime badge boosts trust | Fast last-mile delivery | Amazon handles returns
Limitations:
High storage + long-term fees | Strict inbound requirements | Limited branding control | Not built for multi-channel sales
Note: The Amazon fulfillment center in Chino, CA is a major U.S. hub, but inventory must still be imported, prepped, and labeled before arrival.
A China 3PL stores inventory closer to factories.
They handle sourcing, QC, fulfillment, and international shipping.
Best for:
Shopify / DTC brands | Multi-channel sellers | Custom branding | Cost control at scale
Key advantages:
Lower storage & labor costs | Flexible packaging & branding | Faster restock from factories | One system for Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.
Trade-offs:
• Slightly longer delivery than Prime
• Requires strong logistics partner
• Needs planning around holidays
Here's where most sellers change their minds.
FBA costs often include:
• Inbound shipping to US
• Prep & labeling fees
• Monthly storage
• Long-term storage penalties
• Fulfillment + return fees
China 3PL costs usually include:
• Warehouse storage (often free or low)
• Pick & pack
• Shipping only when orders ship
• Optional QC & branding
In many cases, China 3PL reduces total fulfillment cost by 20–40% for Shopify brands.
This is a big one.
FBA:
Amazon-branded boxes | No inserts or custom unboxing | Limited customer data
China 3PL:
• Custom boxes | inserts | labels
• Brand-first unboxing
• Full customer data ownership
If brand value matters, 3PL wins.
One Shopify seller I worked with used FBA for speed.
Margins were tight. Storage fees kept rising.
They moved fulfillment to a China 3PL.
Shipping became 5–9 days to the US.
Packaging became branded.
Profit per order increased — even with slightly longer delivery.
That's the trade-off in real life.
Choose Amazon Fulfillment if you:
Sell mainly on Amazon | Rely on Prime conversion | Want hands-off operations
Choose a China 3PL if you:
Run Shopify or DTC brands | Care about branding | Want flexible scaling | Need cost control
Is FBA faster than a China 3PL?
Yes, for last-mile delivery. But total lead time depends on inbound prep and restocking speed.
Is China fulfillment risky?
Only if you choose the wrong partner. Strong 3PLs offer QC, tracking, and stable routes.
Can I use both FBA and a China 3PL?
Yes. Many brands use China 3PL for Shopify and FBA for Amazon.
What about Chinese New Year delays?
China 3PLs require early planning. Sellers who prep early often save more.
Is a China 3PL cheaper than FBA?
For most Shopify brands, yes — especially at scale.
There's no universal winner.
Amazon fulfillment center vs 3PL is about control, cost, and channel strategy.
If you want a clear answer for your business:
👉 Request a free cost comparison and see which model fits your margins better.
📩 Email: zoye@fulfillment-cn.com
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