How to Track Amazon AWD and FBA Inventory

If you're selling on Amazon using both AWD and FBA, you're not alone, and you're probably wondering, “How do I keep track of it all without losing my mind?”

On one hand, AWD (Amazon Warehousing & Distribution) gives you long-term, low-cost storage across Amazon’s massive warehouse network.

On the other, FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) handles the picking, packing, shipping, and customer service side of things.

But when your inventory is split between the two?

Things get messy.

Inventory gets stuck in transfer limbo. Stock levels don’t update in real-time. And before you know it, you’re overselling or running out of your bestsellers.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how AWD and FBA work, why tracking them separately is risky, and how to bring everything into one clear, centralized view.

What Is Amazon AWD and How Does It Work?

Amazon Warehousing & Distribution (AWD) is Amazon’s upstream logistics solution designed to simplify storage and replenishment for sellers.

Instead of sending your inventory directly to FBA, you ship it to AWD, where Amazon stores your products in bulk, closer to demand centers.

When inventory is needed in FBA, Amazon automatically transfers stock from AWD to the right fulfillment centers.

Here’s what makes AWD stand out:

• Low-cost, long-term storage
• Strategic stocking across Amazon’s network
• Automatic FBA replenishment (no need to create transfer orders manually)

Think of AWD as your “warehouse in the cloud,” managed by Amazon.

How Amazon FBA Inventory Works

FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is the golden ticket for many sellers, it's what makes your products eligible for Prime shipping, lets Amazon handle customer service, and takes the headache out of logistics.

Here’s how it works in simple terms:

You send your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers → Amazon stores them → When a customer places an order → Amazon picks, packs, and ships it → And even handles returns if needed.

Sounds like a dream, right?

But while FBA is incredibly convenient, it also comes with rules:

• You need to send inventory to the right fulfillment centers
• You have to stay on top of restocks to avoid stockouts
• You’re charged for both storage and fulfillment, and fees can add up quickly

FBA is built for speed and scalability, but not necessarily for long-term storage or large inventory volumes.

That’s why many sellers pair it with Amazon AWD to store bulk inventory affordably and replenish FBA as needed.

In essence, FBA is your frontline fulfillment system. But if it runs dry, your sales stall, which is why tracking FBA stock (alongside AWD) is so critical.

Why Tracking AWD and FBA Inventory Separately Can Be a Problem

At first glance, managing AWD and FBA separately might seem fine. After all, Amazon gives you dashboards for both.

You might think, " I’ll just check them one by one. No big deal.”

But that’s where things start to unravel.

When your inventory is split between two systems, AWD for bulk storage and FBA for fulfillment,  you lose visibility in the most important place and that is the in-between.

Here’s what can go wrong:

• Inventory black holes: Stock in transit from AWD to FBA often goes “invisible.” You know it left AWD, but it hasn’t shown up in FBA yet so where is it?
• Out-of-sync stock counts: Your real-time sales don’t always align with what your dashboards say, especially during restocks or rapid sales spikes.
• Missed opportunities: You run out of stock on FBA without realizing AWD has plenty sitting idle. That means lost sales, poor customer experience, and a hit to your rankings.
• Manual juggling: Downloading reports, cross-referencing spreadsheets, flipping between Seller Central tabs, it eats up hours and leaves room for error.

Centralizing Your Inventory Tracking: Why It Matters

Managing AWD and FBA separately might work at first, but as your business grows, it becomes a headache fast.

You're constantly switching between dashboards, trying to piece together where your stock is, what’s available, and what’s in transit.

And that’s where things get risky.

Without a centralized view, you end up:

• Over-ordering because you didn’t realize you had stock at AWD
• Missing restocks at FBA until it’s too late
• Wasting hours juggling spreadsheets and reports
• Losing sales from avoidable stockouts

Now imagine this instead:

One dashboard. One source of truth.

All your inventory, whether it’s sitting at AWD, ready to ship from FBA, or in the middle of being transferred, tracked in one place, in real-time.

Here’s why that matters:

• Full visibility across AWD, FBA, and even other channels like Shopify or Walmart
• Fewer stockouts because you catch low inventory before it hits zero
• Smarter decisions with clean, up-to-date numbers for forecasting and reordering
• Time saved from manual checks and reconciliations

Methods to Track Amazon AWD and FBA Inventory

If you're managing inventory across both AWD and FBA, you need more than just a spreadsheet and hope. The good news? There are a few different ways to stay on top of it, depending on your business size, tools, and budget.

Let’s break down the main options:

1. Amazon Seller Central Reports (Manual Method)

Amazon gives you access to inventory reports for both AWD and FBA inside Seller Central. You can download them and try to manually track what’s where.

But here’s the catch:

• They don’t show inventory in real-time
• You have to switch between multiple dashboards
• Transfers between AWD and FBA aren’t always clearly tracked

This method works if you have a very small catalog, but as soon as you start scaling, it becomes overwhelming fast.

2. Inventory Management Software (Recommended for Most Sellers)

Third-party inventory management systems like Sumtracker are built to centralize everything, giving you one dashboard that shows inventory across AWD, FBA, and even other sales channels like Shopify or Amazon FBM.

Look for tools that offer:

• Real-time inventory sync between all warehouses
• Low stock alerts and reorder recommendations
• Reports that combine AWD and FBA in one view
• Support for multi-channel selling

This is hands-down the most scalable and reliable method, especially if you're selling across platforms or managing more than a few SKUs.

3. Google Sheets + Automation Tools (For DIYers)

Some sellers set up their own inventory tracking system using Google Sheets and automation tools like Make.com or Zapier.

This can work for tech-savvy sellers with a smaller catalog, but it still requires maintenance, and there’s a risk of errors if something breaks.

• Use scripts or automations to update your spreadsheet regularly
• Manually manage transfers and thresholds

This can work for tech-savvy sellers with a smaller catalog, but it still requires maintenance, and there’s a risk of errors if something breaks.

4. Full-Service Amazon Agencies or 3PLs

If you're working with a 3PL or an Amazon-focused agency, some of them offer custom dashboards or integrated reporting tools that show inventory across AWD and FBA.

Just be sure to ask:

• How often the data updates
• Whether it includes in-transit stock
• If you can access the data in real-time

Best Practices for Syncing AWD and FBA Inventory

When you're using both Amazon AWD and FBA, syncing your inventory isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential. Without a smooth flow between bulk storage and fulfillment, you risk stockouts, over-ordering, and messy reporting.

Here are five best practices to help you stay in control and keep your operations running like clockwork:

1. Treat In-Transit Inventory as a Distinct Status

Inventory moving from AWD to FBA is often overlooked but it's a critical blind spot. It’s not available in AWD anymore, and it hasn’t yet landed in FBA.

The fix?

Track it separately as “in transit.”

This gives you a more accurate picture of what’s sellable vs. what’s on the move.

2. Set Data-Driven Restock Triggers for FBA

Avoid last-minute panic transfers by creating smart replenishment rules. Factor in:

• Average daily sales
• Transfer and check-in lead times
• Seasonality or promotional spikes

For example: If a product sells 20 units a day and it takes 5 days to restock from AWD, set your FBA restock point at 120 units (20 x 6 buffer days).

3. Enable or Customize Automated Transfers

If you’re using Amazon’s automatic replenishment from AWD to FBA, great but keep a close eye on it. Default settings may not suit your business needs.

You can also take control by manually scheduling transfers based on real-time stock levels and upcoming demand.

4. Centralize Your Inventory View

Managing AWD and FBA from separate dashboards quickly becomes chaotic. Use an inventory management system that brings both together, along with your in-transit stock and any other channels (like Shopify or Walmart).

This unified view helps you:

• Spot low stock across the board
• Avoid overstocking at FBA
• Plan transfers with full context

5. Review and Reconcile Weekly

Even the best systems need oversight. Set aside time each week to:

• Reconcile system numbers with Seller Central reports
• Review recent transfers and sales velocity
• Adjust thresholds or reorder plans as needed

Conclusion

Managing inventory across both Amazon AWD and FBA doesn’t have to be a logistical nightmare but it does require the right strategy.

When you rely on disconnected dashboards and manual tracking, things fall through the cracks. Stockouts creep in, in-transit inventory goes unnoticed, and your team wastes valuable time chasing numbers.

But when you centralize your inventory, automate smart restocks, and track every movement, from AWD to FBA and beyond, you gain clarity, control, and confidence.

Whether you're selling across multiple Amazon programs or multiple platforms like Shopify and Walmart, having one unified system gives you the visibility you need to scale without stress.

If you’re ready to stop guessing and start managing inventory like a pro, now’s the time to get serious about syncing AWD and FBA, the right way.

FAQS

1. Can I use both Amazon AWD and FBA together?

Yes, many sellers use AWD to store inventory in bulk and FBA for order fulfillment. Amazon automatically transfers stock from AWD to FBA as needed, making it easier to manage replenishment.

2. How do I track inventory moving from AWD to FBA?

Inventory in transit is not immediately visible in either AWD or FBA dashboards. To track it accurately, use a centralized inventory system that shows in-transit stock as a separate status.

3. Does Amazon charge separate fees for AWD and FBA?

Yes. AWD charges for long-term storage and transfers, while FBA charges for storage, fulfillment, and customer service. It’s important to monitor both to understand your true inventory costs.

4. What’s the best way to sync AWD and FBA inventory?

The most reliable method is using an inventory management software that connects both systems, tracks stock in real-time, and automates restocking based on sales velocity and thresholds.

5. What happens if FBA runs out of stock while AWD still has inventory?

If your FBA stock runs out and AWD hasn't replenished in time, your product becomes unavailable for sale. This can lead to lost sales and lower rankings, which is why proactive tracking is crucial.

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