Amazon quietly reworked how FBA storage capacity works starting January 1, 2026, moving from quarterly limits to a monthly, cubic-feet-based system. At the same time, the older Inventory Performance Index (IPI) score and its 400-point threshold are still very much in play. For wholesale sellers restocking in case quantities ahead of Q4, both of these interact in ways worth planning around now — before the October 15 peak window and its own separate fee increases (covered in our 2026 holiday peak FBA fees breakdown) start stacking on top.
What Changed With FBA Capacity Limits in 2026
As of January 1, 2026, Amazon replaced its longstanding quarterly storage-limit system with a monthly capacity model measured in cubic feet rather than unit counts. Sellers now see one confirmed capacity limit for the upcoming month plus two estimated limits for the following two months, instead of adjustments only a few times a year. Amazon may still show an estimated unit-equivalent in Seller Central for planning, but the binding constraint is volume, not units — which matters if your wholesale SKUs vary a lot in size.
The IPI Score Threshold That Still Matters
Separately from the capacity-limit system, Amazon’s Inventory Performance Index (IPI) still gates whether you get restricted at all. The IPI score runs 0–1,000 and is recalculated weekly from four factors: excess inventory levels, sales velocity, the percentage of your inventory that’s stranded, and in-stock availability on your high-demand items.
- 500+: generally considered a safe range, though still worth monitoring
- 400–500: an at-risk range where continued excess or slow sell-through can tip you over
- Below 400: triggers real restrictions — a capped total FBA storage volume in cubic feet, potential ASIN-level restock limits on individual products, and elevated storage fees on slow-moving or aged inventory
Why This Hits Wholesale Sellers Differently
A volume cap in cubic feet lands harder on a wholesale reseller than on someone ordering a handful of units at a time. When you buy in bulk case quantities, you can’t easily “trickle in” small restocks to stay under a capacity limit the way a low-volume seller can — a single case-pack shipment can eat a large chunk of a monthly allowance if your IPI score has pushed that allowance down. Combined with only one confirmed month of visibility (plus two estimates that can shift), this makes it harder to plan a big Q4 reorder far in advance than it used to be under the old quarterly system.
Don’t Confuse This With the Separate Q4 Storage-Fee Increase
FBA monthly storage fees also rise for the October–December period compared to the rest of the year, on top of anything related to your IPI score or capacity limit — this is a routine, separate seasonal fee change, not a penalty. Third-party estimates of exactly how much the per-cubic-foot rate increases vary, so rather than quote a specific figure here, check the current Fee Schedule in your own Seller Central account before committing to a large Q4 inbound shipment — the exact rate for your product’s size tier is what actually determines your cost.
How to Protect Your Score and Capacity Before Peak Season
- Clear aged and excess inventory now. Every excess unit sitting in a fulfillment center drags your IPI score down and eats into your capacity allowance heading into the window when you’ll want it most.
- Don’t over-order slow movers. Bulk pricing on a slow-selling SKU isn’t a deal if it strands inventory and caps your ability to bring in your actual best sellers.
- Check your score weekly. The IPI score updates weekly in Seller Central’s Inventory Dashboard — treat it as a routine check, not a once-a-quarter glance, especially now that capacity limits also update monthly.
- Plan restocks in shorter cycles. With only one confirmed month of capacity visibility at a time, a single massive pre-Q4 order is riskier to plan around than staged restocks timed to when your next confirmed limit posts.
FAQ
What IPI score do I need to avoid Amazon FBA restrictions?
Amazon’s minimum threshold is 400. Scoring below that can trigger a capped total storage volume, ASIN-level restock limits, and higher fees on slow-moving inventory.
Did Amazon change how FBA storage limits work in 2026?
Yes. Starting January 1, 2026, Amazon moved from quarterly storage limits to a monthly capacity model measured in cubic feet, with one confirmed month of capacity plus two estimated months shown at a time.
Are Q4 storage fees separate from the IPI-related restrictions?
Yes. The October–December storage-fee increase is a routine seasonal fee change that applies regardless of your IPI score. A low IPI score adds capacity limits and restock restrictions on top of that seasonal fee increase, not instead of it.
How often does Amazon update the IPI score?
Weekly, based on excess inventory, sales velocity, stranded inventory percentage, and in-stock availability for high-demand items.
Related reading: Amazon Q4 2026 Prep Checklist for Wholesale FBA Sellers | Amazon 2026 Holiday Peak FBA Fees | How Much Capital Do You Need to Start Amazon FBA Wholesale in 2026? | Winning the Amazon Buy Box as a Wholesale Reseller in 2026 | Bulk Purchasing for Amazon FBA: Lower Your Unit Cost | Wholesale Purchasing Mistakes New Resellers Make | Wholesale Supplier Lead Times: What to Expect | How to Avoid Dead Stock When Buying Wholesale in Bulk | Sales Tax Nexus for Wholesale Resellers: What Multi-State Selling Means for You | Amazon FBA Fee Changes in 2026: What Wholesale Buyers Need to Know | Amazon Low-Inventory-Level Fee for Wholesale Buyers
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