Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) 2026: Fees and Limits
Quick answer: Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) uses the inventory you already hold in FBA to ship orders from your other sales channels, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Walmart or TikTok Shop. Amazon picks, packs and ships each order in unbranded packaging and charges a per-order fee based on size, weight, units and speed. In 2026 MCF fees rose by about $0.30 per unit on average, a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge was added, and Amazon began building multichannel order tools into Seller Central. MCF is the simplest way to ship off-Amazon orders fast from one stock pool. It is not the cheapest option for every order, and it can't carry your branding.
How MCF works
- Your stock is already in Amazon's US fulfillment centers through FBA.
- A customer orders on another channel, such as your Shopify store.
- The order reaches Amazon through an integration app, Seller Central or Amazon's API.
- Amazon picks the item from your FBA inventory, packs it in unbranded packaging and ships it at the speed you chose.
- Tracking flows back to the channel, and the unit leaves your FBA count, so Amazon and your store draw on one shared pool.
FBA fulfills orders placed on Amazon. MCF fulfills orders placed anywhere else from the same stock. Buy with Prime, which puts the Prime badge on your own checkout, runs on the same infrastructure; our comparison of every route to the Prime badge explains where it fits.
What changed in 2026
- Fees went up. From January 15, 2026, MCF fulfillment fees rose by an average of $0.30 per unit, about four times the FBA increase. Orders with three or more units in standard sizes were left unchanged.
- Fuel surcharge. A 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge now applies to US MCF fulfillment fees; it reached MCF and Buy with Prime orders in May 2026.
- Holiday peak. Peak fees apply from October 15, 2026 to January 14, 2027, with the surcharge added on top.
- Discounts. Amazon's MCF pricing page lists 35% off Standard and Expedited US rates for TikTok Shop orders for 12 months through supported integrations, 25% off a new seller's first 100 units, and up to 15% off for sellers who qualify for Preferred Pricing.
- Seller Central tools. On September 24, 2026, Amazon announced tools that let US sellers connect eBay, Shopify, TikTok and Walmart accounts, see all orders in one place and send them to Amazon for fulfillment. They are rolling out gradually at no extra cost.
Fees: what drives the price
MCF fees depend on product size tier, shipping weight, units per order and delivery speed (Amazon quotes 3 business days for Standard and 2 for Expedited). Multi-unit orders cost much less per unit; Amazon says up to 50% less. Storage is billed separately at FBA rates, and deliveries outside the 48 contiguous states carry a remote-area surcharge. Check the current rate card in Seller Central before you price free shipping on your store.
The limits to know before you switch it on
- Unbranded packaging only. MCF ships in plain packaging by default, but you can't use your own boxes, mailers or insert cards. Large or heavy items may not qualify for plain boxes.
- Walmart's rules. Walmart has allowed MCF for its marketplace orders since May 2025, but only in neutral packaging and unbranded delivery vehicles. In practice you choose plain boxes and block Amazon Logistics as a carrier for those orders.
- FBA product rules apply. Anything that can't go into FBA can't ship through MCF.
- Shared capacity. MCF stock counts against your FBA capacity limits and storage fees, so a busy Shopify month needs more FBA space.
- Each order ships on its own. Items that aren't all in FBA can't be combined into one parcel.
Three setups for sellers sourcing from China
Setup A: everything in Amazon's network
All stock goes to FBA. Amazon orders ship through FBA, and Shopify and other orders ship through MCF. You get one pool, fast delivery and very little to manage. It suits sellers whose products are small, sell well on Amazon and don't depend on branded unboxing.
Setup B: split by channel
FBA serves Amazon. Your own store ships from a China warehouse, in your own mailers with your insert card and multi-item orders combined into one parcel, or from an overseas 3PL near your customers once a product sells steadily. FBA space stays free for Amazon sales, and your store keeps its branding.
Setup C: MCF as the backup
Your store normally ships from China or an overseas warehouse, and MCF covers rush orders or a stockout at the other location. It costs more per order but stops you from losing a sale.
MCF vs China warehouse vs overseas 3PL for off-Amazon orders
| Amazon MCF | China warehouse direct | Overseas 3PL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery to US customers | Fast, at the speed you pay for | Depends on the shipping line; slowest of the three | 1–5 days with PackQuay's overseas warehouses |
| Your branding and inserts | No, unbranded only | Yes | Depends on the warehouse |
| US duties | Paid once when stock is imported | Owed on every parcel; ship duties paid | Paid once on bulk import |
| Cost basis | MCF fee per order plus FBA storage | Pick and pack from $2.00 to $1.00 per order, postage at cost | Quoted per warehouse and destination |
| Channel limits | Walmart only in neutral packaging | None from Amazon | None from Amazon |
| Best for | Small, fast products already in FBA | Testing products, branded orders, multi-item orders | Steady sellers that need fast delivery and branding |
Since the US $800 duty-free exemption ended, every parcel shipped from China owes duty, so price shipping and duty together. Our international shipping guide explains how to quote it.
Checklist: which orders should go to MCF
- The product is already in FBA and sells there. Don't send stock to FBA only for MCF.
- The customer paid for fast shipping, or the product page promises it.
- Branded packaging and inserts don't matter for this product.
- The channel allows Amazon-fulfilled orders under its packaging rules.
- You have FBA capacity for the extra units without hitting your limit.
- The MCF fee plus storage beats shipping from your other warehouse for this size and weight.
To manage stock levels across FBA, MCF and other warehouses, see our guide to Amazon order management and replenishment.
How PackQuay fits with MCF
We keep your Amazon and off-Amazon stock moving from our own warehouse in Xinxiang, Henan. For FBA, and so for MCF, we apply Amazon labels, pack to Amazon's requirements and ship the goods to Amazon's warehouses, with FNSKU labelling at $0.10 per unit and freight at cost (all prices on our Amazon FBA prep page). For your own store, we connect to Shopify or WooCommerce and ship orders in your packaging, and stocked orders leave within 24 hours (48 hours at peak). We can also move steady sellers to one of 18+ overseas 3PL warehouses. Tell us your channels on WhatsApp.
FAQ
What is Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment?
Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) is a service that uses your FBA inventory to fulfill orders placed outside Amazon, such as on Shopify, WooCommerce, Walmart or TikTok Shop. Amazon picks, packs and ships each order in unbranded packaging and charges a per-order fee.
How much does Amazon MCF cost in 2026?
MCF fees depend on size, weight, units per order and delivery speed. They rose by an average of $0.30 per unit on January 15, 2026, with no change for standard-size orders of three or more units, and a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge applies on top. Multi-unit orders cost up to 50% less per unit.
Can I use Amazon MCF for Shopify orders?
Yes. Shopify orders can be routed to MCF through Amazon's integration app or other connectors, and from late 2026 through the multichannel tools Amazon is adding to Seller Central. Tracking is sent back to Shopify automatically.
Can Amazon MCF ship Walmart orders?
Yes, since Walmart changed its policy in May 2025, as long as the orders ship in neutral packaging and are not delivered by Amazon-branded vehicles. That usually means choosing unbranded boxes and blocking Amazon Logistics as the carrier for those orders.
Can MCF use my own branded packaging?
No. MCF ships in Amazon's packaging, unbranded by default, and does not support your own boxes or insert cards. Sellers who want branded unboxing usually ship their own-store orders from a separate warehouse.