Which businesses can access Amazon's logistics network now?

Amazon has opened its logistics network to all businesses, not just Amazon Marketplace sellers. This includes third-party retailers, direct-to-consumer brands, and other merchants seeking fulfillment services. Access is being offered on a commercial basis through Amazon Logistics Partners or Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) expanded services.

What services are included in Amazon's open logistics network?

The network provides access to Amazon's warehouse footprint for storage, order fulfillment, packing, last-mile delivery coordination, and returns processing. Businesses can integrate with Amazon's technology platform for inventory visibility and real-time shipment tracking, leveraging the same systems that power Amazon's retail operations.

How does this affect traditional 3PL and logistics providers?

Traditional third-party logistics providers face direct competition from Amazon's expanded service offering. Amazon's scale, technology integration, and national footprint create significant competitive pressure. Regional and specialized 3PLs must differentiate through vertical expertise, customized solutions, or service areas where Amazon lacks density.

What are the key risks of using Amazon's logistics network for competitors?

Primary concerns include vendor lock-in, data transparency (Amazon gains visibility into competitor sales and customer data), potential for Amazon to prioritize its own retail business, and operational dependency on a single provider. Contracts and SLAs should be carefully evaluated before committing significant volume.

How should supply chain teams evaluate this option versus traditional carriers?

Assess total landed cost including Amazon fees, service reliability and SLA guarantees, integration capabilities with existing systems, geographic coverage density, and flexibility in contract terms. Compare last-mile speeds and accuracy rates against incumbent providers, and model scenarios where Amazon prioritizes its retail business during peak demand periods.

Shipping & Freight

High Impact

Amazon Opens Logistics Network to Third-Party Businesses

May 5, 2026

Get tomorrow's supply chain signal

Daily supply-chain brief. Free, unsubscribe anytime.

The signal

Amazon has opened its proprietary logistics network to third-party businesses, marking a significant shift in how the e-commerce giant monetizes its supply chain infrastructure. This move extends access to Amazon's warehousing, fulfillment, and last-mile delivery capabilities beyond its direct retail operations, enabling smaller merchants and competing retailers to leverage the same distribution advantages that powered Amazon's growth. This development signals Amazon's recognition that its logistics footprint—built over two decades through aggressive capital investment—represents a discrete revenue opportunity.

By opening these services to competitors and SMBs, Amazon positions itself as a critical logistics provider rather than solely a retailer. This has profound implications for the broader supply chain ecosystem: traditional 3PLs face intensified competition, regional carriers must differentiate on specialized services, and merchants gain unprecedented flexibility to access enterprise-grade fulfillment capacity on demand. For supply chain professionals, this announcement reshapes network design decisions, carrier selection criteria, and inventory positioning strategies.

Companies must evaluate whether Amazon's integrated logistics offering provides competitive advantages in speed and cost versus traditional providers, while also considering vendor lock-in risks and data governance concerns when routing operations through a retail competitor's infrastructure.

#amazon-logistics

#third-party-fulfillment

#supply-chain-network

#logistics-as-a-service

#last-mile-delivery

#warehousing-capacity

#smb-logistics

#distribution-network

#fulfillment-services

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if we shift 40% of fulfillment volume to Amazon's logistics network?

Model the cost, service level, and lead time impact of migrating 40% of order volume from current 3PL providers to Amazon's open logistics network. Simulate across multiple regions and assume Amazon pricing at 10-15% premium to current carrier rates but with 1-day faster average delivery. Include inventory policy changes required to support reduced cycle times.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if Amazon logistics service level deteriorates during peak seasons?

Simulate a scenario where Amazon deprioritizes third-party logistics traffic during peak holiday periods to serve its own retail fulfillment. Assume service level drops to 90% on-time delivery and lead times increase by 2-3 days. Model impact on customer satisfaction, inventory carrying costs, and need for surge capacity from backup carriers.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if we adopt Amazon logistics as primary provider and consolidate warehouse footprint?

Model a long-term scenario where Amazon becomes the primary fulfillment provider, allowing your company to reduce owned warehouse locations by 30-50%. Simulate network redesign costs, inventory policy adjustments for faster transit, and breakeven analysis on reduced logistics overhead versus higher per-unit Amazon fees over 2-3 years.

Run this scenario

Go deeper:

Supply Chain Simulation: A Guide for Operators

What discrete-event, agent-based, and Monte Carlo simulation actually do, in plain language for supply chain leaders.

Get the daily supply chain briefing

Top stories, Pulse score, and disruption alerts. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

The signal

Frequently Asked Questions

What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Related Articles