Choosing how your products are stored, packed, and delivered is the single most important operational choice in your e-commerce journey.
Do you send inventory to Amazon FBA? Do you store stock in Flipkart FBF (Fulfilled by Flipkart)? Or do you ship directly from your own warehouse using Easy Ship or Self-Ship?
Each model represents a fundamental tradeoff between fee overhead and conversion velocity.
The 3 Fulfillment Models Head-to-Head
1. Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)
- The Advantages: Automatic Prime badge on your listings (delivering 3x–5x higher Buy Box share and search visibility); customer service and returns handled entirely by Amazon; higher prepaid conversion.
- The Costs: Pick & Pack fees (starting ~₹13–₹25 per unit); monthly storage fees per cubic foot; inbound placement surcharges; long-term storage fees on slow-moving inventory.
2. Flipkart FBF (Fulfilled by Flipkart)
- The Advantages: Grants the Flipkart Assured (F-Assured) badge; prioritized search ranking during Big Billion Days; discounted shipping rate cards for Gold/Silver tier sellers.
- The Costs: Pick & pack charges; storage fees; strict warehouse appointment scheduling; cross-dock consolidation fees.
3. Self-Ship / Easy Ship (Merchant Fulfillment)
- The Advantages: Maximum control over inventory; zero warehouse storage fees; ability to cross-list the same physical stock across Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and Shopify simultaneously.
- The Costs: Slower delivery promises (3–5 days vs 1–2 days); lower Buy Box priority; full responsibility for packing labor, warehouse space, and return damages.
When to Choose Which Model
- Fast-Moving Winners (Top 20% SKUs): Send to FBA and FBF. High sales velocity avoids storage penalties while Prime/Assured badges maximize volume.
- Long-Tail / Slow-Moving SKUs: Keep in your own warehouse on Easy Ship or Self-Ship. Never pay FBA storage on items that sit on shelves for 60+ days.
- Fragile / High-Return Fashion SKUs: Self-Ship allows custom unboxing inspection and packaging reinforcement that reduces transit damage.
Run the numbers for your business with our Flipkart FBF Calculator and Amazon FBA Engine.