Amazon FBA Shipment Workflows Explained

Amazon FBA Shipment Workflows

Finale Inventory provides two main workflows for handling Amazon FBA shipments: Automated Transfer Shipments and Staged Transfer Shipments. Each workflow is designed to suit different operational needs, providing flexibility in how inventory is moved from your warehouse to Amazon's fulfillment centers.

1. Automated Transfer Shipments

The Automated Transfer Shipments workflow is ideal for companies that want to streamline their inventory transfers with minimal manual intervention. In this workflow, your primary warehouse sublocation ("Main") acts as the origin point from which Amazon pulls stock to populate inbound shipments.

Key Features:

• Direct Transfers: Inventory is automatically transferred from your warehouse "Main" sublocation to Amazon’s inbound state, eliminating the need for intermediate steps.
• Real-Time Syncing: Stock levels are automatically synced between Finale Inventory and Amazon FBA, ensuring accurate and up-to-date inventory counts.
• Simplified Workflow: This method reduces the complexity of managing transfers, making it easier to maintain control over your inventory.

When to Use:

• Ideal for companies with a straightforward inventory structure where the warehouse "Main" sublocation is the sole origin point for FBA shipments.
• ideal for companies looking to reduce manual processes and automate the transfer of inventory to Amazon.

2. Staged Transfer Shipments

The Staged Transfer Shipments workflow offers more control and flexibility, particularly useful for companies with complex inventory management needs. In this process, inventory is first moved to a staging location, often referred to as "Transfer Pending," before being transferred to Amazon’s inbound state.

Key Features:

• Intermediate Staging: Inventory is held at a designated staging location before being shipped to Amazon, allowing for more controlled stock management.
• Enhanced Accuracy: By using a staging location, you can verify the inventory before it is shipped, reducing the risk of errors in the transfer process.
• Flexible Management: This workflow allows you to manage inventory in smaller batches, which can be particularly beneficial for high-volume sellers or those with multiple warehouse locations.

When to Use:

• Ideal for companies that require an additional step in the transfer process to manage and verify inventory before it is sent to Amazon.
• Ideal for companies with multiple warehouse locations or those needing to manage inventory in a more controlled manner.