Why Sellers Are Leaving FBA
Amazon keeps raising fees and cutting services. Sellers are looking for alternatives that give them control.
FBA Prep Eliminated
As of January 2026, Amazon no longer offers FBA prep services. Sellers must now prep, label, and package all inventory to FBA standards before sending it in - or find a 3PL to do it.
900%+ Fee Increases
Removal and disposal fees have increased over 900% since 2021. Storage fees spike during Q4. Aged inventory surcharges start at just 180 days. Every year, more fees get added.
Inventory Limits
FBA capacity limits and restock restrictions mean sellers often cannot send enough inventory to meet demand. Running out of stock tanks your rankings and costs weeks to recover.
FBA vs HELVIA: Side by Side
See how HELVIA compares on the metrics that matter to Amazon sellers
| Feature | Amazon FBA | HELVIA |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly storage fees | $0.87-$2.40 USD/cu ft (seasonal) | $4.50 CAD/cu ft (flat rate) |
| Aged inventory surcharges | Starts at 180 days, up to $6.90/cu ft | None - ever |
| FBA prep services | Eliminated January 2026 | Full FNSKU, poly bag, case pack prep |
| Removal/disposal fees | $0.97-$1.78/unit (900%+ increase since 2021) | $0.25/unit |
| Multi-channel fulfillment | Amazon MCF (limited, premium pricing) | All channels from one inventory pool |
| Contract requirements | Subject to policy changes anytime | No contracts, no minimums |
| Storage penalties | Capacity limits, restock limits, overage fees | Flexible capacity, no penalties |
| Prime eligibility | Yes | No (use hybrid model for Prime SKUs) |
The Hybrid Model
You do not have to choose between FBA and a 3PL. The smartest Amazon sellers use both.
Keep bestsellers in FBA for Prime badge and Buy Box advantage on your top 20% of SKUs
Route slower inventory to HELVIA to avoid aged inventory surcharges on your long-tail 80% of SKUs
Use HELVIA for FBA prep - we prep, label, and ship inventory directly to Amazon FCs on your behalf
Sell multi-channel - fulfill Shopify, eBay, Walmart, and website orders from the same HELVIA inventory
Store overflow inventory at HELVIA when FBA capacity limits restrict your replenishment
How the Hybrid Model Works
All products arrive at HELVIA for intake, QC, and sorting
Prepped to FBA standards and shipped to Amazon FCs
Prime EligibleStored at HELVIA, fulfilled via FBM + all other channels
Multi-ChannelLower costs + Prime eligibility + multi-channel sales
Services for Amazon Sellers
Everything you need to diversify beyond FBA while keeping Amazon as a sales channel
Multi-Channel Integration
Seamlessly connect all your sales channels
- Automatic order import from all channels
- Real-time inventory synchronization
- Unified dashboard for all platforms
Same-Day Processing
Lightning-fast order fulfillment
- Same-day shipping for orders before 2 PM
- 1-2 day delivery to GTA and major Ontario cities
- 99.8% order accuracy rate
Flexible Storage Solutions
Storage that scales with your business
- Shared or dedicated warehouse space
- Climate-controlled storage available
- No minimum storage requirements
Value-Added Services
Beyond basic fulfillment
- Custom kitting and assembly
- Branded packaging and inserts
- Product photography for ecommerce
Cross-Border Fulfillment
Ship to Canada without the complexity
- Bulk import once, fulfill domestically
- 2-day delivery to GTA, 3-5 days Canada-wide
- Zero surprise duties for your customers
FBA Prep Services
Amazon eliminated prep services - we pick up where they left off
- FNSKU labeling and barcode application
- Poly bagging and bubble wrapping
- Case packing and shipment creation
Amazon FBA Alternative: FAQ
Yes. We provide full Amazon FBA-compliant prep services including FNSKU labeling, poly bagging, bubble wrapping, box prep, and case packing per Amazon standards. We can receive your inventory, prep it to FBA requirements, and ship it directly to Amazon fulfillment centers - or fulfill orders directly to customers via FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant).