As Amazon expands its own products and services, it is also creating more opportunities for sellers plying their wares in its marketplaces. One of the latest developments in the UK is the Heavy and Bulky Fulfillment by Amazon. Sellers in the UK with larger products up to a certain limit on weight and dimensions can now access Fulfillment by Amazon. One catch is that Heavy and Bulky FBA will have higher fees than the regular FBA fees. But careful research and planning could make this a profitable option.

What are the benefits of FBA?

One of the biggest advantages of FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) is that they store products for third-party sellers on their platforms. Storing products with Amazon then also affords sellers security of their items. This is a big step up from storing items in one’s own garage. Amazon has developed its logistics and infrastructure to allow for fast shipping, easy returns, and quality customer services. With FBA, third-party sellers can also benefit from these services provided by Amazon on their behalf. 

For a fee, FBA can cut the amount of work sellers struggle with, to store, package, and ship their items. Not to mention there is a massive reduction in customer service duties. With the efficiency of Amazon’s shipping system sellers can also prevent poor reviews due to failed or delayed delivery.

Now UK sellers with larger items can enjoy these benefits. Storing bulky items can be a nightmare and with Heavy and Bulky FBA sellers can rest a little easier. Amazon also states that this service will “customers with speed and convenience.”

The fees will be higher than regular FBA

Regular FBA fees vary by the size and weight of each item, duration of storage, sales fulfilled, and other factors. The basic fees are storage fees and fulfillment fees. Storage fees are on a monthly basis as long as a seller has items stored with Amazon. Fulfillment fees are charged to sellers upon sale, packaging, and shipment of each item.

With Heavy and Bulky FBA, UK sellers will have an additional fee. As stated by Amazon: “Sellers will pay a minimum referral fee of £15/€15 for each item sold via Heavy and bulky FBA, in addition to FBA fees.”

There are weight and dimension requirements to qualify

Sellers in the UK will have to meet weight and dimension requirements to enroll in the Heavy and Bulky FBA program. The length of the items must be between 175cm to 300cm and the weight must be between 31.5kg and Max: 140kg. There is also a minimum girth requirement of 360 cm.

It may be time for UK sellers of larger items to expand their trade in the Amazon marketplace. Some categories of the items that may qualify for Heavy and Bulky FBA in the UK are home appliances and furniture.

With the expansion of items that qualify for FBA, more sellers will be able to attract customers on Amazon and expand their business. Amazon is definitely no longer just a marketplace for electronics, clothes, and small homegoods.   

Heavy and Bulky FBA is available in a few other marketplaces

At the same time Amazon launched its Heavy and Bulky FBA program in the UK, it also debuted similar programs in France, Spain, Germany, and Italy. The weight and dimension requirements vary in the other countries so sellers should check out Amazon seller central for further information. Any sellers wishing to ship heavy and bulky items in the UK or other marketplaces with Heavy and Bulky FBA must ship their products to each country’s fulfillment center. This program is only available on a domestic level in each country.

A good repricer can help you  keep growing with Amazon

With Amazon expanding as a retailer and as a platform for sellers, anyone selling anything should be aware of new developments. Heavy and Bulky FBA in the UK is a great opportunity for anyone selling large items in the United Kingdom. 

Along with new developments on Amazon, there are many tools available for Amazon sellers to improve their business. Amazon sellers should especially lookout for tools to help them increase their profits and attract more customers.

One tool sellers definitely want in their repertoire is a good automated repricer. Alpha Repricer is the fastest repricer on the market today. We reprice items in 2-minutes! Our tool provides sellers multiple options to control how often their items reprice, who to compete against, and more. We have also developed the Buy Box Hunter to help you win the Buy Box. The best part is you can sign up for our free 14-day trial without giving us your credit card information. Try us out with no strings attached and see how we can reprice your items in no time.