Learn everything about Amazon FBA prep centers—services, costs, tax-free states, 3PL options, and how to choose the right partner for your ecommerce business.
If you’re running an Amazon FBA business, you already know how demanding it can be. Sourcing profitable products is only half the battle—the other half is prepping and shipping inventory according to Amazon’s strict requirements.
This is where Amazon prep centers come in. These facilities specialize in receiving, inspecting, labeling, bundling, packaging, and forwarding your products to Amazon fulfillment centers. By outsourcing these tasks, sellers save time, avoid costly compliance mistakes, and keep their operations lean.
But prep centers aren’t just for Amazon. Many now act as ecommerce 3PLs (third-party logistics providers), helping sellers across platforms like eBay, Shopify, and Walmart Marketplace.
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about prep centers: how they work, what services they offer, how much they cost, and how to choose the best one for your business.
A prep center is a warehouse that acts as the middle step between your supplier and Amazon FBA. Instead of shipping goods directly from your supplier (domestic or overseas) to Amazon, you send them first to a prep center.
There, your products are:
Without this step, sellers risk Amazon penalties for non-compliance—delays, rejected shipments, or even account suspensions.
While Amazon prep centers are specialized, many have evolved into full-service 3PLs that support multiple marketplaces.
For example:
In other words, prep centers aren’t just about Amazon FBA—they’re part of the bigger ecommerce logistics ecosystem.
Prepping thousands of units is tedious and time-consuming. Outsourcing frees you to focus on sourcing and marketing.
Amazon has strict FBA prep requirements. Prep centers specialize in making sure your shipments pass without issues.
Using prep centers in tax-free states (Oregon, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire) helps sellers avoid unnecessary sales tax, instantly improving margins.
A prep center allows you to expand your product catalog without worrying about warehouse space or manual labor.
Need storage? Bundling? Custom packaging? Prep centers can adapt to your needs.
Not every prep center offers every service, so always confirm before signing up.
Pricing varies widely depending on the provider, your volume, and the services you need.
👉 Pro Tip: The cheapest per-unit fee isn’t always the most cost-effective. Speed, reliability, and compliance matter just as much.
One of the biggest hacks in ecommerce logistics is using prep centers in sales-tax-free states.
This strategy has made Oregon and Delaware particularly popular for Amazon FBA prep services.
Many sellers confuse prep centers with 3PLs.
👉 Rule of thumb: If you’re just starting out, a prep center might be enough. If you’re scaling into multiple platforms and large volumes, you may need a 3PL.
Remember: a prep center is your logistics partner. Choose carefully.
You’re shipping 300 units/month. Doing it yourself is fine—until Q4. A prep center lets you scale without burning out.
Your supplier is in China. Instead of shipping directly to Amazon (and risking non-compliance), you send inventory to a prep center in Oregon. They inspect, label, and forward it to Amazon—no sales tax, fewer headaches.
You sell on Amazon, Shopify, and Walmart. A 3PL-style prep center can manage FBA prep and ship DTC orders, consolidating your logistics.
Amazon prep centers are more than warehouses—they’re partners that allow you to scale without the bottlenecks of logistics.
Whether you’re saving money through tax-free states, outsourcing FBA compliance, or scaling into a multi-channel business, the right prep center can unlock serious growth.
Take time to evaluate your needs, compare pricing and services, and always check reviews before committing. With the right partner, you’ll have more time to focus on finding products, building your brand, and growing your ecommerce business.
👉 Ready to explore your options? Visit our Prep Centers Directory to compare providers across the U.S.
Amazon FBA expert and consultant with over 5 years of experience helping sellers optimize their operations and maximize profits.