Fulfillment Center
Also known as: FC, Amazon Warehouse
A fulfillment center (FC) is an Amazon warehouse where FBA inventory is stored, picked, packed, and shipped to customers.
Amazon fulfillment centers are the large warehouses that physically hold FBA inventory and ship customer orders. Each FC is identified by a code (e.g., ONT8, BFI4) where the letters denote the nearest airport and the number the specific building. Your inbound shipments are routed to one or more FCs based on Amazon's placement decisions.
Within an FC, the FBA fee covers picking the unit from its bin, packing it, and handing it to the carrier — the "pick and pack" work. Inventory is distributed across the FC network so that items are near customers, which is what enables fast Prime delivery. This distribution is also why FBA charges an inbound placement fee when you send stock to fewer locations than Amazon would prefer.
Fulfillment centers are distinct from AWD (Amazon Warehousing and Distribution) facilities, which are upstream bulk-storage/reserve warehouses that replenish FCs. Stock lost or damaged inside an FC is Amazon's liability and is generally reimbursable.
A seller's inbound shipment of 500 units is split by Amazon and received at fulfillment centers ONT8 (California) and BFI4 (Washington) so the product is stocked near West Coast customers for faster delivery.