How to Use Amazon’s North America Remote Fulfillment (NARF) as an Amazon Third-Party Seller: A Comprehensive Guide

Expanding your Amazon business to reach customers in Canada and Mexico can be a game-changer, but managing separate inventory for each country can quickly become complex and costly. That’s where Amazon’s North America Remote Fulfillment (NARF) program comes in. This service allows you to leverage your existing U.S.-based FBA inventory to fulfill orders from Canadian and Mexican customers, making it easier to grow your business without additional logistical hassles.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about using Amazon’s North America Remote Fulfillment as an Amazon third-party seller. From how the NARF program works and how to enroll, to managing pricing, shipping, and optimizing your listings for international customers, we’ll walk you through the entire process. By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to leverage NARF to increase your reach and boost sales across North America.

What is Amazon’s North America Remote Fulfillment (NARF)?

Amazon’s North America Remote Fulfillment (NARF) program allows sellers to use their existing U.S.-based FBA inventory to fulfill orders from customers in Canada and Mexico. With NARF, you don’t have to create separate FBA shipments for each country or maintain additional inventory in local fulfillment centers. Instead, Amazon handles cross-border shipping, customs clearance, and final delivery using your inventory stored in U.S. fulfillment centers.

Key Benefits of NARF:

1. Expand to New Markets: Reach millions of new customers in Canada and Mexico without maintaining separate inventories.
2. No Additional Storage Fees: Use your existing U.S. FBA inventory to fulfill international orders without additional storage fees in local fulfillment centers.
3. Access to Prime Members: Products fulfilled through NARF are eligible for Prime shipping in Canada and Mexico, increasing visibility and appeal.
4. Simplified Logistics: Amazon handles cross-border shipping, customs, and import duties, making the process hassle-free for sellers.

How Does Amazon’s NARF Program Work?

The NARF program works by enabling your U.S. FBA inventory to be listed on Amazon’s Canadian and Mexican marketplaces. When a customer in one of these countries places an order, Amazon ships the product from your U.S. inventory to the customer, taking care of all customs clearance and delivery logistics. Here’s how it works step-by-step:

1. Customer Browsing: Canadian and Mexican customers see your product listings on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.mx, including prices, shipping options, and estimated delivery times.
2. Order Placement: The customer places an order for your product. Amazon automatically adjusts the listing to reflect local currency, taxes, and shipping fees.
3. Cross-Border Fulfillment: Amazon picks, packs, and ships the product from your U.S. FBA inventory to the customer’s address in Canada or Mexico.
4. Customs and Duties: Amazon handles all customs clearance and import duties, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
5. Delivery and Customer Service: The product is delivered to the customer, and Amazon provides customer service, including handling returns and refunds if necessary.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Amazon’s North America Remote Fulfillment (NARF)

1. Determine If NARF is Right for Your Business

Before enrolling in the NARF program, consider whether it aligns with your business goals and product offerings. Not all products are eligible for NARF, so it’s important to evaluate whether your inventory meets Amazon’s requirements:

• Product Eligibility: Products must meet Amazon’s cross-border compliance regulations, including safety standards, labeling requirements, and hazmat restrictions. Certain products, such as alcohol and firearms, are not eligible for NARF.
• Product Type and Demand: Evaluate whether there is a demand for your products in Canada and Mexico. Use tools like Jungle Scout or Helium 10 to research product demand and competition in these markets.

2. Enroll in the North America Remote Fulfillment Program

To start using NARF, you’ll need to enroll in the program through your Seller Central account:

1. Log in to Seller Central and go to Settings > Fulfillment by Amazon.
2. Look for the Remote Fulfillment with FBA section and click on Enable.
3. Review the NARF program policies and select Enroll.
4. Once enrolled, you can choose which products to make available for NARF by managing your listings in Seller Central.

3. Enable and Manage NARF Listings

After enrolling in the program, you’ll need to enable NARF for your individual product listings. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the Inventory Page: Navigate to the Manage Inventory section in Seller Central.
2. Select Eligible Products: Check the box next to the products you want to enable for NARF.
3. Enable NARF for Selected Products: From the Action on Selected menu, choose Enable Remote Fulfillment. Your selected products will now be listed on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.mx.
4. Review Listing Settings: Adjust your pricing and inventory settings for each marketplace. Amazon will automatically convert prices to the local currency based on your U.S. price, but you can manually set different prices if desired.

4. Optimize Listings for Canadian and Mexican Marketplaces

While your existing U.S. product listings will be replicated in the Canadian and Mexican marketplaces, it’s essential to optimize your listings to appeal to customers in these regions:

Localization of Content

• Translate Listings (If Necessary): Although Amazon automatically translates product descriptions for the Mexican marketplace, it’s recommended to review and refine the translation to ensure accuracy and cultural relevance.
• Use Local Keywords: Conduct keyword research for Canadian and Mexican marketplaces to identify relevant search terms. Use tools like Helium 10 or AMZScout to find high-volume local keywords.
• Adjust Images and Descriptions: Modify images and product descriptions to reflect local preferences or highlight features that resonate with Canadian or Mexican customers.

Adjust Pricing and Shipping Settings

• Set Competitive Pricing: While Amazon converts your U.S. price to the local currency, it’s essential to review pricing in each marketplace and adjust based on local competition.
• Consider International Shipping Fees: Factor in shipping costs, duties, and taxes when setting your prices to maintain profitability.

5. Understand International Shipping, Customs, and Duties

One of the biggest advantages of using NARF is that Amazon handles cross-border shipping, customs clearance, and import duties for you. However, it’s important to understand how these factors affect your pricing and profitability:

• Shipping Times: Shipping times for NARF orders are typically longer than domestic orders. Set clear expectations for customers regarding delivery times.
• Customs and Duties: Amazon includes customs duties and import fees in the price customers see, so there’s no surprise cost for the buyer. Ensure that your products are properly classified to avoid issues with customs clearance.

6. Monitor and Optimize Performance Across All Marketplaces

Once your listings are live in Canada and Mexico, it’s crucial to monitor their performance and optimize your strategy based on sales data, customer feedback, and competition:

1. Review Sales and Performance Reports: Use Amazon’s sales and performance reports to analyze sales trends, conversion rates, and customer feedback in each marketplace.
2. Monitor Inventory Levels: Keep an eye on your inventory levels to ensure you have enough stock to meet demand in all three markets (U.S., Canada, and Mexico). Set reorder points based on sales velocity.
3. Adjust Listings and Pricing as Needed: Make adjustments to your listings and pricing based on market conditions, competition, and customer feedback.

7. Manage Customer Expectations and Provide Excellent Customer Service

While Amazon handles customer service for NARF orders, you should still monitor customer inquiries and feedback to maintain a positive brand reputation:

• Set Realistic Delivery Expectations: Communicate expected delivery times clearly to avoid customer frustration due to longer shipping times for international orders.
• Monitor Customer Feedback: Regularly check customer reviews and feedback for your NARF listings and address any issues promptly.

8. Explore Additional North America Marketplace Opportunities

Once you’ve established a successful presence in Canada and Mexico through NARF, consider additional expansion opportunities:

• Sell Directly on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.mx: If demand for your products is strong, consider creating dedicated listings and storing inventory in Canadian and Mexican fulfillment centers to reduce shipping times and improve the customer experience.
• Participate in Local Promotions and Deals: Take advantage of local deals and promotions, such as Prime Day or Black Friday, to boost visibility and sales in each marketplace.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using NARF

Expanding through NARF can be highly beneficial, but there are common pitfalls to watch out for:

1. Not Optimizing Listings for Local Markets: Simply copying your U.S. listings without localization can result in poor performance.
2. Ignoring Local Regulations: Ensure your products meet local regulations, especially for health and safety standards, labeling, and restricted categories.
3. Overlooking Shipping Times and Costs: Factor in longer shipping times and additional costs when setting customer expectations and pricing.

Conclusion: Use Amazon’s NARF Program to Expand Your Reach in North America

Amazon’s North America Remote Fulfillment (NARF) program offers a powerful way to expand your business to Canada and Mexico without the need for additional inventory. By enrolling in NARF, you can leverage your existing U.S. FBA inventory, simplify cross-border logistics, and reach millions of new customers in North America.

Follow the steps outlined in this guide to get started with NARF, optimize your listings for each marketplace, and manage your international business efficiently. If you need expert assistance with Amazon marketplace management, international expansion, or FBA optimization, Marketplace Valet is here to support your business’s growth. Contact us today to learn how we can help you succeed with Amazon’s North America Remote Fulfillment program!