Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment vs a 3PL
If your inventory already sits in FBA, Amazon can ship your Shopify, TikTok Shop and website orders too. That is Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF). A 3PL ships the same orders from its own warehouse. Here is how they compare on cost, packaging, speed and stock risk, using Amazon's own published rate card.
Which one fits
MCF fits when
Your inventory is already in FBA, your other channels ship a few orders a week, and an unbranded box is fine. No extra warehouse, no monthly plan.
A 3PL fits when
Shopify or TikTok Shop is a real channel, the unboxing carries your brand, or MCF orders keep pulling down the units Amazon needs to stay in stock.
Both, when
Amazon is your biggest channel but not your only one. Keep Amazon's share in FBA, prepped at a prep center, and ship everything else from the 3PL out of one inventory.
One unit, standard speed, Amazon's published fees
The MCF fee includes delivery. A 3PL charges pick and pack ($1.95 at Marcana, up to 2 lb and 2 items) plus the shipping label. The last column is what your label can cost before MCF becomes the cheaper option (over 2 lb, Marcana adds $0.50 heavy-order handling).
| Size tier and weight | MCF fee, 1-unit order | With 3.5% surcharge | Room for your label at a 3PL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small standard, up to 4 oz | $7.34 | $7.60 | $5.39 |
| Small standard, 8 to 12 oz | $8.17 | $8.46 | $6.22 |
| Small standard, 12 to 16 oz | $8.66 | $8.96 | $6.71 |
| Large standard, 1 to 2 lb | $10.64 | $11.01 | $8.69 |
| Large standard, 2 to 3 lb | $11.75 | $12.16 | $9.30 |
MCF fees: Amazon US MCF rate card effective June 1, 2026, standard speed (3 business days), one-unit orders, before holiday peak fees and remote-area surcharges (source). Expedited (2 business days) costs more, and orders with two or more units cost less per unit. The 3PL column compares against the base fee and leaves out Marcana's monthly plan (store-connected fulfillment starts at $179 a month on Growth), so spread that across your monthly orders. See the full Marcana rate card.
Packaging, speed, storage and stock risk
| Amazon MCF | Marcana 3PL | |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging | Unbranded packaging by default | Your mailer and insert, at published rates |
| Speed | Standard: delivered in 3 business days. Expedited: 2 business days | Orders before 3:00 PM Eastern ship the same business day; delivery time depends on the carrier service |
| Storage | $0.78 per cubic foot January to September, $2.40 October to December (standard size, non-dangerous) | 30 days included per received box, then $35 per pallet per month |
| Holiday pricing | Peak fees October 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027 | No holiday peak surcharge on the published rate card |
| Outside the lower 48 | 100% surcharge for standard-size items | Carrier rates for the destination |
| Inventory | Draws from the same FBA units your Amazon listings sell | Separate DTC stock; Amazon's share is prepped and sent to FBA |
Amazon sources: MCF overview, MCF pricing, rate card, read October 11, 2026.
Amazon from FBA, everything else from Miami
Inventory lands in Miami
Your supplier ships to our dock. We count and photograph it the same business day.
Amazon's share is prepped
Since January 2026 FBA units must arrive prepped. We label, bag and build the FBA shipment.
Everything else ships direct
Shopify, TikTok Shop and Walmart orders ship from Miami in your packaging, the same business day.
Restock before you run out
When FBA runs low, the next replenishment goes out from the same shelf.
Questions sellers ask about MCF
Amazon says MCF orders are picked and packed in unbranded packaging by default (Amazon MCF). With a 3PL, the order goes out in your own mailer, with your insert if you want one ($0.15 an order at Marcana).
For a single small order, MCF includes delivery in its fee, while a 3PL charges for pick and pack and the shipping label separately. Subtract $1.95 from the MCF fee for your size tier: if your average label costs less than what is left, the 3PL is cheaper per order before its monthly plan. Multi-unit orders lower the MCF fee per unit, and holiday peak fees raise it.
Yes, and it is often the right setup when Amazon is your biggest channel. Keep Amazon's share in FBA, prepped at a prep center, and ship Shopify, TikTok Shop and Walmart orders from the 3PL. Your website orders then stop drawing down the units Amazon needs.
Yes. Amazon lists holiday peak fulfillment fees from October 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027, plus a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on US MCF fulfillment fees (Amazon MCF pricing). Marcana's published rate card has no holiday peak surcharge.
From Amazon's US MCF rate card effective June 1, 2026 (supplychain.amazon.com/docs/rate-card), standard speed, one-unit orders, read on October 11, 2026. Amazon changes these fees; check the rate card before you decide.
Price the 3PL side of your split.
Enter your direct-to-consumer orders and the estimator returns the plan and monthly total from our published rate card.