🏬 Mastering Amazon’s Holiday Storage Limits: How to Stay Within IPI Rules and Still Stay In Stock

By SnappyCrate | Updated September 2025

Q4 is the most lucrative time of year for Amazon sellers — but it’s also the most challenging when it comes to inventory performance index (IPI) scores and storage limits. Nothing is more frustrating than having plenty of product ready to sell, but Amazon won’t let you send it in because your storage limits are maxed out.

In this article, we’ll break down how Amazon’s IPI system works, why limits tighten during the holidays, and how to stay within compliance without running out of stock.

Why Amazon Tightens Storage in Q4

During peak season, Amazon must balance storage space across millions of sellers. To keep warehouses from overflowing, they restrict how much each account can send in based on IPI score.

Sellers with high IPI scores get more generous storage limits.
Sellers with low IPI scores may find themselves unable to replenish inventory when they need it most.

That’s why managing IPI and planning storage strategically is so crucial leading up to Q4.

Understanding IPI and Storage Limits

IPI measures how well you manage inventory, with four key factors:

Excess Inventory – Too much slow-moving stock lowers your score.
Sell-Through Rate – The faster you sell, the better your IPI.
Stranded Inventory – Listings that aren’t buyable hurt your performance.
In-Stock Rate – Amazon rewards keeping popular ASINs available.

Your IPI score is updated weekly. If it falls below Amazon’s threshold (typically 400–450), you risk storage limits being applied to your account for the quarter.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Q4 Problems

Sending all inventory to FBA too early and clogging storage space.
Ignoring slow sellers, which drags down sell-through rates.
Waiting too long to clear excess inventory, leaving no room for hot sellers.
Not staging backup inventory outside Amazon — leaving no way to respond when limits are imposed.

Best Practices to Stay Compliant and Stocked

✅ Boost Sell-Through Before Q4
Run promotions or price adjustments in September and October to move slow sellers and improve IPI before limits are set.

✅ Use a 3PL for Overflow Inventory
Stage bulk inventory with a provider like SnappyCrate, sending replenishment shipments as space opens up.

✅ Create an ASIN-Level Inventory Strategy
Prioritize your best sellers for FBA space and consider switching slower SKUs to FBM to free up room.

✅ Monitor IPI Weekly
Act quickly if your score dips — remove excess inventory, fix stranded listings, and increase ad spend if needed to improve sell-through.

✅ Send Smaller, More Frequent Shipments
Rather than maxing out your limits in one go, keep a steady flow of product into Amazon so you don’t run out of room for emergency replenishment.

🚀 How SnappyCrate Helps You Maximize Q4 Storage

SnappyCrate gives you the flexibility you need when Amazon restricts space:

Overflow warehousing to hold inventory outside FBA
On-demand replenishment shipped to Amazon the moment space opens
FBM fulfillment options to keep selling even if FBA limits stop you from sending stock
Real-time visibility into your inventory, making forecasting easier and more precise

With SnappyCrate, you don’t have to choose between staying within IPI rules and staying in stock — you can do both.

👉 Talk to our team today to set up a storage and replenishment plan that keeps your best sellers available all Q4.