Let’s get real: Amazon’s Seller Fulfilled Prime (SFP) isn’t just another shipping program. SFP is a logistics trial by fire.

• 2-day nationwide delivery required
• Same-day pick, pack, and ship expectations
• Strict SLA metrics, order cutoffs, and OTDR protections
• Only 3 trial attempts per year (starting June 2025)

Most 3PLs say they can support SFP, but many don’t have the infrastructure, experience, or compliance controls to back it up.

In this article, we’ll go over what exactly SFP is, why it’s so difficult to achieve for many 3PLs, and what it takes to offer Seller Fulfilled Prime well.

What Is Seller Fulfilled Prime?

SFP lets sellers offer Prime shipping speeds while fulfilling orders from their own warehouse or 3PL—not Amazon’s FBA network.

That means:

• You control inventory, packaging, and returns
  
• You avoid FBA’s inbound, storage, and removal fees
  
• You still earn the Prime badge on listings—if you stay compliant

SFP is perfect for brands that want to scale on Amazon without handing over operational control. But that flexibility comes with serious accountability.

Why Most 3PLs Fail at SFP

Here’s what typically breaks:

1. No Same-Day Fulfillment

Most 3PLs batch orders or ship the next day. That kills Prime SLA requirements.

2. Missed Order Cutoff Times

If your partner doesn’t pick/pack before 2PM local time, you’re toast.

3. No OTDR-Label Support

SFP only protects your shipping metrics if you use Amazon’s On-Time Delivery Rate templates. Most 3PLs don’t know how.

4. No Trial Planning

You only get 3 attempts a year. Most providers let clients launch blind—and fail early.

5. Inconsistent Carrier Routing

If your 3PL doesn’t zone you near customers, 2-day delivery becomes a gamble, not a guarantee.

What It Takes to Actually Win at SFP

Success in SFP is about fulfillment discipline, carrier integration, and real-time performance.

You need:

• 2-day coverage from multiple warehouse zones
• Same-day shipping with aggressive order cutoffs
• Automated label printing using Amazon’s protected templates
• Inventory synced to avoid stockouts and delays
• A team that understands the SFP dashboard inside and out

And if you’re trialing? You need a playbook that’s built for SFP graduation.

Why MyFBAPrep Is Built for SFP Success

We’re not another 3PL winging it with SFP. We’ve engineered a system that passes trials and keeps you eligible long-term.

Here’s what sets us apart:

100+ Warehouse Network With SFP-Capable Nodes

We don’t just ship fast—we ship from the right place. Our strategic fulfillment zones enable 2-day delivery nationwide.

Same-Day Pick-Pack With OTDR-Label Workflow

We’ve built pick-pack SOPs for Prime SLAs. And yes, we generate and apply Amazon OTDR labels for metric protection.

Real-Time SLA Monitoring in Preptopia®

Our clients get full visibility into SLA performance, ship times, and routing compliance—before Amazon does.

Returns + Carrier Management

We manage returns directly and route via Amazon’s preferred carriers to maintain trial eligibility and performance.

SFP Trial Planning Support

Only 3 tries per year? We help you pre-plan around Amazon’s graduation blackout windows, optimize order routing, and build volume cadence to hit the 100+ monthly threshold.

Pros and Cons: FBA vs. SFP

FBA is great for some SKUs, but SFP puts the power back in your hands. Here’s a quick overview of the differences between FBA and SFP with a 3PL partner like MyFBAPrep.

Feature	FBA	SFP via 3PL partner
Prime Badge	Yes	Yes (with compliance)
Fulfillment Control	No (Amazon-owned)	Yes (you + 3PL)
Storage Costs	$0.56 to $4.28 per cubic foot per month	3PL-based
Return Handling	Amazon	You/3PL
Custom Packaging	Limited	Fully branded, customizable
Performance Visibility	Amazon dashboards	3PL-provided dashboards

SFP FAQs

What is SFP?

Seller Fulfilled Prime is an Amazon program where sellers ship Prime-eligible orders from their own warehouse or 3PL and must meet Amazon’s strict delivery SLAs.

Can a 3PL handle SFP for me?

Only if they offer 2-day shipping, same-day fulfillment, Amazon label support, and SLA compliance tracking. MyFBAPrep is one of the few that can.

How do I pass the SFP trial?

You must meet Amazon’s on-time and tracking goals for 30 days, use OTDR-protected shipping templates, and ship over 100 Prime orders per month—outside restricted windows like Prime Day and Q4.

Ready to Stop Failing SFP?

If your current provider says they “can handle SFP” but you’re struggling—or scared to try—we’ll build a trial-ready program for you.

• Skip the compliance headaches
• Ship faster than FBA
• Win Prime badge visibility and margin control

Get in touch today.