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Home / Glossary / Inbound shipment

Amazon

Inbound shipment

A planned delivery of stock into FBA (or a warehouse).

Definition

An inbound shipment is a transfer of inventory into a fulfilment centre — most often an Amazon FBA shipment created in Seller Central, with cartons, labels and a shipment ID. Warehouses and 3PLs use the same idea for ASN-backed receipts.

Worked example

From your 3PL you create an FBA inbound for 40 cartons of three SKUs, book a carrier delivery window, and track receiving until units become fulfillable.

Why it matters for replenishment

Inbound lead time is part of FBA availability. Shipments stuck in “receiving” are not sellable yet.

How OmniRestock uses this

OmniRestock helps you plan how many units to move into FBA from your own stock; creating the Amazon shipment workflow still happens in Seller Central / your 3PL tools.

Guides & calculators

Related terms

Common questions

Is an inbound the same as a PO?

No. A PO buys from a supplier; an inbound moves owned stock into FBA or a warehouse.

Why do units sit in receiving?

Amazon or 3PL check-in delays. Build receiving time into lead time.

Do I need an ASN?

Many 3PLs require one. Amazon shipments carry their own carton/shipment data.

Is an inbound shipment the same everywhere?

The idea is shared, but formulas and marketplace rules differ. Use the definition on this page for ecommerce replenishment.

Do I need software to track an inbound shipment?

A spreadsheet works for a few SKUs. Once you have many suppliers or channels, a replenishment tool keeps the numbers current.

Does OmniRestock change my live stock?

Not unless you switch Stock write or Purchase orders on for a connection. Drafts stay drafts until you confirm.

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