As Amazon prepares to phase out its FBA prep services by January 1, 2026, ecommerce brands that have relied on Amazon for prep operations face a pivotal decision. While the end of FBA prep may feel disruptive, it creates an opportunity for a more strategic, efficient, and scalable path forward: partnering with a third-party logistics (3PL) fulfillment provider.
If you’re an ecommerce brand planning for Q4 and beyond, August 2025 is the ideal moment to make the switch. Here’s why.
1. Stay Ahead of the 2026 Rush
The official sunset of Amazon’s FBA prep services in 2026 means thousands of sellers will scramble to secure 3PL fulfillment partnerships later this year and early next. By transitioning in August, you avoid capacity bottlenecks as demand spikes later. You gain access to top-tier 3PLs before their slots fill up, and you set your operations up for a seamless Q4 rather than scrambling mid-peak season.
2. Optimize for Holiday Peak Before It Starts
August launches Q4 success. Getting a 3PL in place now gives your brand time to test and refine workflows like bundling, labeling, inspection, and custom kitting. You create a buffer to resolve any onboarding challenges without risking delays during high-volume months. This approach provides more flexibility in promotions and inventory management during Cyber Week and holiday surges.
3. Cut Costs and Regain Margin Control
Many ecommerce brands discover that FBA prep through Amazon was not just inflexible, it was expensive. By switching to a 3PL fulfillment management service now, you gain cost visibility and custom pricing tailored to your needs. You can consolidate multiple SKUs or fulfillment channels, saving on storage and shipping. You can also negotiate bundled services, unlike Amazon’s à la carte pricing model.
4. Improve Flexibility and Speed with a Strategic Logistics Partner
Amazon’s prep services were convenient but rigid. 3PLs offer tailored solutions that fit your brand’s packaging, labeling, and presentation requirements. They provide same-day or next-day prep and forwarding to FBA fulfillment centers, plus value-added services like returns handling and custom inserts.
5. Mitigate Risk with a Phased Rollout
Starting in August means you’re not making a sudden switch. Instead, you can pilot with a small batch of SKUs, gradually transition high-volume ASINs to 3PL handling, and benchmark performance metrics like prep speed, error rate, and cost efficiency. By January 2026, your brand will be fully transitioned with none of the stress.
6. Build a Long-Term Fulfillment Strategy Beyond Amazon
The FBA prep sunset reminds us that brands need to diversify logistics dependencies. A reliable 3PL opens the door to multi-channel fulfillment across DTC, Walmart, Target, TikTok Shop, and other platforms. It provides greater inventory control and traceability while acting as a long-term operational partner, not just a service provider.
Don’t Wait Until You’re Forced to Act
Amazon announced the end of FBA prep, but the smartest brands make moves early. August 2025 is your golden window, the perfect opportunity to plan, test, and optimize a 3PL transition on your terms.
Waiting until late Q4 or early 2026 means reacting under pressure. Act now, and your logistics become a competitive advantage, not a liability.
Need help finding the right 3PL partner or building a phased migration plan? Contact our team.
Explore our Fulfillment by Amazon prep services to learn more, and be sure to read 5 Things to Ask When Selecting a Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Prep Partner.
