AWD is a third-party bulk storage and distribution service that lets sellers store upstream inventory outside of FBA fulfillment centers and automatically replenish stock as needed. Learn how it works and who it's built for.
Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) is Amazon's bulk storage and automated replenishment service designed to sit upstream from FBA. Instead of sending all your inventory directly into FBA fulfillment centers—where storage fees are high and capacity limits apply—you send larger shipments to AWD's lower-cost storage network. From there, Amazon automatically moves inventory into FBA fulfillment centers as your stock levels require it, reducing the manual effort of managing FBA inbound shipments.
FBA storage is designed for active, fast-moving inventory that ships to customers within weeks. AWD is designed for bulk, upstream stock that replenishes FBA over time. FBA carries higher per-cubic-foot storage rates and imposes capacity limits; AWD offers lower rates with fewer restrictions on how long inventory sits. Think of FBA as your front-of-house shelf and AWD as the stockroom behind it.
AWD is not a universal solution. It currently supports a limited range of eligible product types and requires inventory to meet specific packaging and labeling requirements. AWD does not replace FBA—it feeds it. If your products have unpredictable demand spikes, the auto-replenishment logic may not always react fast enough to prevent stockouts. Always maintain visibility into both your AWD and FBA inventory levels as a combined view.
