Using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) can save a lot of time in running your business. Amazon takes over the shipping and (local) customer service from you.
Within Europe this can be done in 3 ways: Namely by using the European Fulfilment Network (EFN), the Multi Country Inventory (MCI) system, or selling with Pan-European on Amazon.
What is Amazon's European Fulfilment Network (EFN)?
The European Fulfilment Network (EFN) is the most widely used form of Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA).
With this method, Amazon sends orders from an already created stock to the European customer.
Features European Fulfilment Network (EFN):
- The delivery times to the European customer are a bit longer because it is sent cross-border.
- Amazon fulfills orders from an already built-up stock. You keep stock in one country.
- All costs of using the European Fulfilment Network (EFN) can be found here.
How do you get started with European Fulfilment Network (EFN) on Amazon?
If you have already converted all your listings to Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), this will be the default function when international orders come in. You don't have to do anything else with this.
The European Fulfilment Network
What is Amazon's Multi Country Inventory?
With Multi Country Inventory (MCI) from Amazon, your stock can be in multiple countries so that the local customer gets his order faster. In this case, it is up to you as a seller to build up local stock.
Features Multi Country Inventory (MCI) by Amazon:
- Due to the short delivery times, your conversion will be better.
- You spread your own stock over several countries.
- You keep control over the stock yourself.
- Because you have local stock, the European customer can receive his order within 1 working day.
- Better chances on the Amazon Buy Box because you can guarantee the customer shorter delivery times
- This means that for each country where you put stock you have to do administration and need VAT numbers.
- Accessible to Prime members because same or next day delivery can take place.
The Multi Country Inventory Network (MCI)
What is Amazon's Pan-European Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA)?
If you use the Pan-European network, Amazon ensures that the right quantities of stock are built up in your countries of choice.
You send your products to one Amazon fulfillment center (for example in Germany) and Amazon therefore takes care of the distribution of this. You don't have to do multi country stock management yourself.
Features Pan-European Fulfilment by Amazon:
- Amazon spreads your stock across Europe.
- Better chances of grabbing the Buy Box.
- Because you have local stock, the European customer can receive his order within 1 working day.
- Because of the short delivery times, your conversion will be better.
- You spend less time in stock management.
