FBA Capacity Limits Are Here: How to Plan Your Inventory

Amazon is changing how it controls FBA inventory again. Starting this month, restock limits are being replaced by capacity limits. Instead of limits per ASIN or storage type in units, sellers get a monthly limit on how much space they can use, measured in cubic feet.

Here is how capacity limits work and how to plan your inventory around them.

What are FBA capacity limits?

A capacity limit is the maximum volume of inventory you can have in Amazon’s network, including stock on hand and stock on its way. It is set by storage type, such as standard size or oversize, and measured in cubic feet.

Amazon shows your current limit and estimated limits for the next few months in a new Capacity Monitor in Seller Central.

What decides your limit

• Your sales forecast. Amazon estimates how much you are likely to sell.
• Your IPI score. Better inventory performance helps your limit. We covered the IPI basics in our older IPI guide.
• Amazon’s own network capacity at different times of the year.

New sellers have their own rules, often with smaller starting limits.

Requesting extra capacity

Amazon is also introducing the Capacity Manager. It lets you request more capacity than your limit, with a reservation fee per cubic foot. If you sell the stock, you can earn a credit back on that fee based on your sales. It can be useful before a big season, but plan the numbers carefully.

How to plan your inventory

Think in volume, not just units

A bulky product uses much more of your limit than a small one. Look at the cubic feet per unit for each product, and prioritize space for products that earn the most per cubic foot.

Keep stock moving

Slow movers take up space you could use for best sellers. Clear old stock with promotions, bundles or removal orders.

Use a 3PL buffer

Keep some inventory in a third-party warehouse and send smaller, frequent shipments to Amazon. This works well with monthly limits.

Watch the forecast months

Check estimated limits for the coming months, especially before Prime Day and Q4. Plan shipments to land when you have space.

Fix stranded inventory

Stranded units use capacity and earn nothing. Fix listing errors fast.

What it means for ads

If capacity limits keep stock tight, pace your ads. Do not push hard on a product that will run out before you can restock. Focus ad spend on products where you have healthy stock.

The bottom line

Capacity limits shift the focus from units to space. Prioritize products that earn the most per cubic foot, keep stock moving and use a 3PL buffer for flexibility. If you want help planning inventory under the new system, see our catalog and account operations service.

FAQs

What is an FBA capacity limit?

It is the maximum volume of inventory, in cubic feet, you can have in Amazon’s network for a storage type, including stock in transit.

Can I get more FBA capacity?

You can request extra capacity through the Capacity Manager, with a reservation fee that can be partly credited back based on sales.

How often do capacity limits change?

Amazon sets them monthly and shows estimates for upcoming months in the Capacity Monitor.