If you’re an Amazon FBA seller, you already know that inventory management can make or break your business. One of the most frustrating hurdles sellers face is Amazon’s FBA restock limits. These limits determine how much inventory you’re allowed to send into Amazon fulfillment centers (FCs).

While Amazon claims these restrictions help optimize warehouse space, sellers often find themselves caught in a cycle of stockouts, suppressed sales, and higher shipping costs due to frequent replenishment.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• What FBA restock limits are and how they work

• The difference between restock limits and storage limits

• How Amazon calculates your limits (IPI score, demand forecasting, and category rules)

• Step-by-step strategies to work around restrictions

• Proven tips for keeping products in stock without breaking Amazon’s rules

By the end, you’ll have a clear action plan to ensure restock limits never hold back your growth again.

What Are FBA Restock Limits?

FBA restock limits are Amazon’s way of controlling how much inventory sellers can send to fulfillment centers (FCs). They were introduced in 2020 when Amazon faced massive supply chain constraints during the pandemic.

Here’s what they mean in practice:

• Restock Limits = Cap on the total units you can ship to Amazon at one time.

• Storage Limits = Cap on the cubic feet of space your products take up in Amazon warehouses.

Think of restock limits as a “traffic light” system for how many items Amazon allows you to replenish at any given time.

Restock Limits vs Storage Limits: Key Differences

Many sellers confuse restock limits with storage limits, but they are not the same.

👉 Pro Tip: Even if you have plenty of cubic feet available, you could still be blocked by restock limits.

How Amazon Calculates Restock Limits

Amazon uses a mix of performance metrics and forecasting to set your limits. The three biggest factors are:

1. Inventory Performance Index (IPI Score)

   • Measured on a scale of 0–1000.

   • A score above 400–500 is considered safe.

   • Calculated based on sell-through, excess inventory, stranded inventory, and in-stock rate.

2. Historical Sales Performance

   • Amazon forecasts your restock limits based on how well your products sold in the past 30–90 days.

3. Category & Seasonality Adjustments

   • Products in high-demand categories (like supplements, home essentials, electronics) may get higher limits.

   • Seasonal products (Halloween costumes, Christmas decor) may see fluctuating allowances.

Common Seller Pain Points With Restock Limits

• New Product Launches: Low initial limits prevent aggressive restocking for product launches.

• Stockouts: When products sell out, Amazon lowers your forecasted demand, further reducing limits.

• Frequent Shipments: Sellers are forced to split shipments into smaller batches, increasing shipping costs.

• Cash Flow Issues: Inventory tied up in prep centers or 3PLs waiting for restock slots.

How to Check Your FBA Restock Limits

1. Log into Seller Central.

2. Go to Inventory → Inventory Performance → Restock Limits.

3. View maximum inventory level (in units) and current utilization.

4. Check Storage Volume (in cubic feet).

Amazon also shows a “maximum shipment quantity” when you try to create an inbound shipment.

Strategies to Work Around Restock Limits

Now, let’s dive into the practical side. How do you work around restock limits without risking account suspension?

1. Improve Your Sell-Through Rate

Amazon rewards fast-moving inventory. The faster your products sell, the higher your restock limits climb.

✅ Tips:

• Run targeted PPC campaigns to move slow inventory.

• Use coupons or lightning deals to accelerate sell-through.

• Remove excess or stranded inventory.

2. Maintain a High IPI Score

A strong Inventory Performance Index is the best long-term defense against restrictions.

✅ Best Practices:

• Keep your IPI above 500.

• Minimize excess units (over 90-day supply).

• Fix stranded listings quickly.

• Keep top sellers consistently in stock.

3. Use a 3PL (Third-Party Logistics Provider)

Instead of relying solely on FBA, store excess inventory in a 3PL warehouse.

✅ Benefits:

• Lower storage fees compared to Amazon.

• Faster replenishment when restock limits reset.

• Ability to send frequent, smaller shipments into FBA.

Popular 3PL providers include Deliverr, ShipBob, and regional warehouses near Amazon FCs.

4. Split Shipments Smartly

If Amazon limits your maximum shipment size, split inventory across multiple SKUs or warehouses.

✅ Example:

• Instead of sending 5,000 units of one SKU, ship 2,000 of SKU A, 1,500 of SKU B, and 1,500 of SKU C.

This helps balance your limits across the account.

5. Diversify With FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant)

When FBA restricts you, switch key SKUs to FBM.

✅ Advantages:

• Keeps products available during stockouts.

• Protects your Best Seller Rank (BSR).

• Reduces dependence on Amazon warehouses.

Even if margins are slightly lower, staying in stock is more important than maximizing profit per unit.

6. Launch New SKUs Strategically

New products often start with very low restock limits.

✅ Solution:

• Launch with smaller packaging (smaller units = higher limit).

• Use bundles or variations to increase velocity faster.

• Combine FBM backup during the early launch phase.

7. Remove Dead Inventory

Excess or unsold inventory kills your IPI and eats up storage space.

✅ Options:

• Create a removal order (ship back to 3PL).

• Liquidate slow-moving SKUs.

• Repackage and relabel for bundles.

8. Monitor Limits Weekly

Restock limits can change weekly. Proactive sellers review their account every Monday and adjust inbound shipments accordingly.

✅ Tools:

• Seller Central IPI dashboard

• Restock Report downloads

• 3rd-party tools like Helium 10 or RestockPro

Long-Term Solutions to Avoid Restock Limit Problems

• Build a Hybrid Fulfillment Model: Use both FBA and FBM to balance risks.

• Improve Forecasting: Align inbound shipments with sales velocity.

• Negotiate With 3PLs: Get discounted rates for buffer inventory.

• Product Mix Optimization: Focus on fast-moving SKUs and cut underperformers.

Example Case Study: How One Seller Beat Restock Limits

A 7-figure supplement seller faced crippling restock limits in Q4. Here’s how they overcame it:

• Problem: Amazon capped their inbound units at 10,000. Their top SKU alone sold 12,000/month.

• Solution: They shifted 40% of stock to a 3PL, increased PPC spend to accelerate sell-through, and launched an FBM fallback listing.

• Result: Maintained 95% in-stock rate through peak season and doubled revenue compared to the previous year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do new sellers have restock limits?

Yes. New sellers usually start with very low limits until Amazon gathers data on sales velocity.

2. How often do restock limits change?

Amazon updates them weekly, usually based on the previous 90-day performance.

3. Can I request higher limits?

No. Restock limits are automated. However, improving sales velocity and IPI naturally increases them.

4. Do all categories have the same limits?

No. Apparel, footwear, and oversize items have separate restrictions.

Conclusion

While Amazon’s restock limits can feel like a roadblock, smart sellers treat them as a supply chain optimization challenge. By improving your sell-through rate, maintaining a strong IPI score, and building a hybrid FBA + FBM + 3PL system, you can keep products in stock and sales flowing year-round.

At the end of the day, restock limits don’t have to limit your growth—they can sharpen your operations and give you a competitive edge over sellers who fail to adapt.