> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://sourcesheets.gitbook.io/sourcesheets-new-seller-blueprint/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://sourcesheets.gitbook.io/sourcesheets-new-seller-blueprint/part-5-shipping-sales-and-your-first-payout/10.1-how-fba-shipping-works.md).

# 10.1 How FBA Shipping Works

Fulfilment by Amazon means Amazon stores, picks, packs, and ships your products on your behalf. Before any of that can happen, your stock has to get from your supplier into an Amazon fulfilment centre (FC), and that journey is what a "shipment" refers to in Seller Central.

## The Basic Flow

1. **You create a shipment plan** in Seller Central, telling Amazon which products and how many units you're sending.
2. **Amazon assigns your stock to one or more fulfilment centres.** You don't get to choose which FC, Amazon decides based on capacity, your location, and where that product is likely to sell. It's common for a single shipment to get split across two or three FCs, that's normal.
3. **You label, pack, and ship the stock** to the FC(s) Amazon assigns.
4. **Amazon receives and checks in the stock.** Once it's checked in and passes any required checks, it becomes "fulfilable," meaning it can actually be sold and shipped to customers.

## Why the Process Feels Rigid

Amazon's fulfilment network is one of the most complex logistics operations in the world, run at a scale where a small inconsistency (a wrong label, a mismatched box count) causes real problems downstream. That's why the process has fixed steps, specific labelling requirements, and exact packaging rules. Follow the process as shown and there's nothing to worry about.

## What This Means for Your First Shipment

For your first shipment, expect it to take a few days from "created" to "fulfilable," sometimes longer if it's split across multiple FCs or if it's a busy period for Amazon's receiving network. This is completely normal. Once you've done it once, the whole process becomes quick and familiar.