During December — the busiest shopping season of the year — Amazon’s FBA warehouses become overwhelmed. Check-in times slow down, shipments get delayed, and sellers often watch their best-selling products sit in limbo during the most profitable days of the year. That’s why having the ability to switch to FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) becomes a major advantage. When you ship products yourself, you bypass the FBA bottleneck entirely and keep your business moving while everyone else is stuck waiting.

FBM also allows you to stay in control of your inventory during the holiday rush. Instead of relying on Amazon’s processing speed, you can ship items directly to customers the same day or next day. This lets you capitalize on sudden spikes in demand, trending products, and last-minute holiday purchases that FBA sellers miss because their inventory hasn’t checked in yet. When customers want fast delivery and listings fluctuate constantly, being able to ship immediately becomes a competitive edge.

Finally, FBM gives you the flexibility needed for December’s unpredictable selling environment. During the holidays, Amazon often imposes inventory limits, restricts restock amounts, or delays transfers between warehouses. With FBM, you’re not dependent on Amazon’s systems. You remain agile, profitable, and in full control — which can mean the difference between missing Q4 sales and having your strongest month of the year.

1️⃣ Start a New FBM Listing

Go to Seller Central → Inventory → Add a Product
Search the ASIN you want to sell.
Select Fulfilled by Merchant (FBM) so you ship the item yourself.

2️⃣ Enter Your Offer Details

Input:
✔️ Price
✔️ Quantity
✔️ Condition (usually “New”)
✔️ Handling time (set 1–2 days for best results)

Faster handling time increases your visibility.

3️⃣ Set Your Shipping Template

Go to Settings → Shipping Settings
Use the default template or create your own.
Offer Standard Shipping, and optionally Expedited.

4️⃣ Confirm Your Return Address

You must provide a valid return address.
Use your home, office, UPS box, or prep center (if allowed).

5️⃣ Prepare Your Product for Shipment

Make sure your item is:
✔️ New
✔️ Damage-free
✔️ Clean packaging
✔️ Securely packed
✔️ Without clearance stickers

Quality packaging reduces returns.

6️⃣ Print Your Packing Slip

Navigate to Orders → Manage Orders → Print Packing Slip
Include this in every shipment.

7️⃣ Choose a Reliable Shipping Carrier

Best options:

• USPS

• UPS

• FedEx

Always ship with tracking.

8️⃣ Mark the Order as Shipped

Once mailed, upload your tracking number and mark the order as shipped.
Amazon updates the buyer automatically.

🎯 Final Takeaway

FBM isn’t just a backup plan — it’s a powerful December strategy.
When FBA slows down, you don’t have to.

Mastering FBM ensures you stay profitable and responsive all holiday season long.