Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) is now available in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Starting August 20, 2026, eligible European sellers can use AWD to store inventory in bulk within Amazon’s distribution network and automatically replenish their FBA inventory as needed.
The expansion gives sellers another option for managing inventory ahead of busy periods without relying entirely on FBA storage capacity.
How Amazon AWD Works
AWD is designed for bulk inventory storage before products move into FBA fulfillment centers.
Sellers can send eligible inventory to AWD and Amazon can automatically replenish FBA inventory based on demand. This reduces the need for sellers to manually create replenishment shipments every time FBA stock gets low.
Amazon says AWD offers:
- Additional storage capacity for eligible inventory.
- Automated replenishment to FBA fulfillment centers.
- Flat-rate, long-term storage pricing.
- No long-term storage commitment.
- Potential storage and transportation discounts when combined with eligible Amazon services.
The program separates bulk inventory storage from the inventory sitting in FBA fulfillment centers. That can give sellers more room when FBA capacity becomes a constraint.
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AWD Is Now Available in Five European Markets
The August 20 expansion brings AWD to five major European markets:
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- United Kingdom
This gives sellers operating across Europe another way to manage inventory within Amazon’s network.
The automated replenishment feature can also reduce manual work. Instead of constantly monitoring FBA inventory and arranging shipments, sellers can use AWD to replenish FBA as inventory is needed.
What This Means for Inventory Planning
AWD can make inventory management easier, but sellers still need accurate forecasts.
Keeping inventory in Amazon’s network does not remove the cost of purchasing products before they sell. Sellers still need to consider demand, lead times, cash flow, and seasonal sales when deciding how much inventory to send.
AWD should be evaluated against the seller’s existing supply chain rather than treated as an automatic cost-saving option.
A comparison should include:
- AWD storage and transportation costs
- Current 3PL storage costs
- FBA fulfillment and storage costs
- Shipping inventory into Europe
- Replenishment needs
- Working capital requirements
The right choice will depend on the products, sales volume, and existing logistics setup.
What European Sellers Should Do Now
Sellers using FBA in Europe can start by identifying products that regularly create storage or replenishment problems.
Look at your highest-volume SKUs and ask:
- Do FBA capacity limits make it difficult to hold enough inventory?
- How often are you sending replenishment shipments?
- How much inventory do you need before peak periods?
- What does your current 3PL charge for long-term storage?
- Would automated replenishment reduce the work involved in keeping products in stock?
These numbers will give you a better basis for deciding if AWD fits your operation.
Amazon Is Expanding Its Supply Chain Role
AWD gives Amazon a larger role in the inventory process before products reach FBA fulfillment centers(opens in new tab). For European sellers, that can mean fewer separate systems to manage when Amazon services make financial and operational sense.
The August expansion also gives sellers in five major European markets another option for storing bulk inventory ahead of demand.
For sellers planning Q4 inventory, now is a good time to compare AWD with the current FBA and 3PL setup.
Is Your European FBA Supply Chain Ready?
Adding another storage option can help, but the numbers need to work for your business.
Our ecommerce experts can review your Amazon operation and help identify where inventory, fulfillment, or storage costs may be limiting growth.
Fill out the form below and tell us about your business. One of our experts will reach out to discuss your current setup and where AWD or other Amazon services may fit into your European strategy.
You don’t need to change your entire supply chain to start. Start with the products where the numbers make the most sense.