Shipping from China to Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) involves sending your goods from a Chinese supplier or warehouse directly to Amazon’s fulfillment centers in the United States or other countries. To ensure smooth and efficient shipping, you’ll need to follow Amazon’s guidelines and choose the right shipping method.
Steps for Shipping from China to Amazon FBA
- Choose Your Freight Forwarder or Shipping Agent
- You’ll need a freight forwarder who can handle the logistics and ensure your goods reach the appropriate Amazon FBA warehouse.
- Shipping Methods:
- Air Freight: Faster but more expensive, best for time-sensitive goods.
- Sea Freight: More cost-effective for large volumes, though slower.
- Express Shipping (Courier Services): Faster but typically more expensive for smaller shipments.
- Prepare Your Products and Shipment for FBA
- Labeling: Ensure your products are labeled according to Amazon’s guidelines.
- Packaging: Follow Amazon’s packaging requirements (e.g., individual packaging, bagging, poly bags, etc.).
- Create FBA Shipment Plan: In your Amazon Seller Central account, create a shipment plan. Amazon will assign the destination fulfillment centers.
- Booking the Shipment
- Full Container Load (FCL) or Less Than Container Load (LCL): Based on the volume of your goods, you can book an FCL or LCL container. If you have fewer items, LCL is a cost-effective option.
- Air Freight: If you’re shipping a smaller, time-sensitive order, you can opt for air freight.
- Shipping Documentation and Customs Clearance
- Customs Clearance: Your freight forwarder will help with customs documentation and clearance. Make sure to provide accurate information for all customs paperwork.
- Bill of Lading: This document is important for sea freight, confirming the shipment details.
- Shipping to Amazon’s Fulfillment Center
- Destination: Your goods will be shipped to the Amazon FBA warehouse based on the shipment plan.
- Tracking: Track your shipment to ensure it arrives at the correct Amazon facility.
Shipping Costs and Timeframes
- Sea Freight: Costs for shipping a 20ft container from China to the U.S. range from $2,000 to $6,000. The shipping time is typically 20-35 days.
- Air Freight: Costs are higher, usually around $10 to $30 per kg. Air freight can take 5-10 days.
- Express Couriers: Companies like DHL, UPS, FedEx offer express services, but costs can start from $30 to $60 for small shipments and delivery times are typically 3-7 days.
Freight Forwarders for Amazon FBA Shipping
Some well-known freight forwarders specialize in shipping from China to Amazon FBA:
- Freightos – Offers a platform for comparing rates and booking shipments.
- ChinaDivision – Specialized in Amazon FBA logistics from China.
- ShipBob – Provides 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) and Amazon FBA preparation services.
- Flexport – A full-service freight forwarder, including FBA solutions.
- Alibaba Shipping – Alibaba offers FBA shipping services from China through their network of logistics partners.
Important Considerations for Amazon FBA Shipments
- FBA Labeling and Packaging: Make sure all items are labeled with the correct Amazon FBA barcodes and packed according to Amazon’s requirements.
- Shipping Costs: Take into account the cost of shipping from China to Amazon’s FBA warehouses and compare with the sales potential and storage fees at Amazon.
- Customs Duties: Ensure you understand the U.S. import duties and taxes, as well as Amazon’s requirements for customs documentation.
How to Get a Quote
- Provide your shipment details: Weight, volume, and product type.
- Select shipping options: Air, sea, or express.
- Freight forwarder: Contact a freight forwarder or shipping agent who specializes in FBA shipping.
Would you like assistance in getting a quote or finding a shipping company to help with FBA shipping from China?