FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) shipping from China refers to the process of sending goods from a seller’s warehouse or manufacturer in China to an Amazon Fulfillment Center (FC) in various countries. If you’re considering shipping products to Amazon’s warehouses for sale through Amazon’s marketplace, the process can be complex but manageable once you understand the key steps.
Steps for FBA Shipping from China:
1. Prepare Products for FBA
- Product Labeling: Amazon requires that all products are labeled with Amazon FBA labels (UPC, FNSKU, etc.). You must print and affix these labels to your products according to Amazon’s guidelines.
- Packaging Requirements: Ensure that your products are packed according to Amazon’s packaging guidelines, including individual poly bags, bubble wrap, and suitable boxes.
2. Choose a Shipping Method
- Air Freight: If you need a quick shipment, air freight is faster but more expensive.
- Sea Freight: For large shipments, sea freight (via Full Container Load – FCL or Less than Container Load – LCL) is typically more cost-effective.
- Express Shipping: Shipping companies like DHL, FedEx, or UPS offer express services for smaller shipments or urgent deliveries.
3. Select a Freight Forwarder or Shipping Agent
- Freight Forwarder: If you’re shipping large quantities, a freight forwarder can help with customs clearance, arranging transport, and ensuring your goods reach the correct Amazon warehouse.
- Shipping Agent: For smaller shipments, an experienced shipping agent who specializes in FBA can manage the entire process.
4. Customs Clearance & Import Duties
- China Export Customs: Your goods need to clear Chinese export customs before they can leave the country. Your freight forwarder will typically handle this step.
- Destination Country Customs: Depending on the destination country, your goods will need to clear customs. For FBA shipments, it’s essential to know whether any import duties or taxes are involved.
- For the USA: For example, import duties and taxes may be applicable, depending on the nature of the goods.
5. Determine the Destination Amazon Fulfillment Center
- Amazon FBA Addresses: Amazon has multiple fulfillment centers worldwide, and the shipping address must be specific to the correct FBA warehouse.
- Shipping Plan in Amazon Seller Central: When creating a shipping plan in Amazon Seller Central, Amazon will direct you to the appropriate fulfillment center for your inventory based on stock levels and fulfillment needs.
6. Shipping to Amazon’s Fulfillment Center
- Consolidating Shipments: Depending on where your products are manufactured or stored, you might need to consolidate your shipments before sending them to Amazon’s warehouse.
- Labeling & Documentation: You need to ensure that your shipping documents are correct and that your cartons are properly labeled with the required FBA labels. Ensure each carton has an FBA Shipment ID.
7. Track and Manage Shipments
- Use tracking numbers from your freight forwarder to monitor the shipment. Ensure the goods reach the correct Amazon warehouse, as Amazon will charge fees for any errors or delays.
8. Receive Inventory in Amazon FBA
- Upon arrival at the Amazon Fulfillment Center, Amazon will receive and inspect the goods. Once the goods pass inspection, they will be listed in your Amazon seller account, ready for sale.
FBA Shipping Costs from China:
The costs involved in shipping to Amazon FBA centers from China can vary widely depending on the shipping method, size/weight of the shipment, and destination. Below are some estimated costs for shipping:
1. Sea Freight
- FCL (Full Container Load): For large shipments, using an entire container is typically the most cost-efficient.
- 20-foot container: $2,000 – $5,000 (depending on destination and port fees).
- 40-foot container: $3,000 – $6,000 (depending on destination and port fees).
- LCL (Less than Container Load): If you don’t have enough goods to fill a full container, you can ship by LCL. Rates are typically charged per cubic meter (CBM).
- Costs: $100 – $250 per CBM to the USA, Europe, or Australia.
- A typical shipment might be 5-10 CBM, resulting in costs between $500 – $2,500 depending on your shipment size.
2. Air Freight
Air freight is much faster but significantly more expensive than sea freight.
- USA: $5 – $10 per kg (example: 100kg of cargo could cost $500 – $1,000).
- Europe: $4 – $9 per kg.
- Australia: $6 – $12 per kg.
3. Express Shipping (Small Parcels)
For small parcels or urgent shipments, DHL, FedEx, or UPS can be used. Prices for express shipping are higher than sea or air freight.
- Cost: $25 – $70 for a 1kg package depending on the destination.
4. Additional Costs
- Customs Fees: Import duties and taxes can vary by country. For example:
- USA: Typically, there are minimal import duties on most products for FBA, but duties may apply depending on the category (e.g., textiles, electronics).
- EU: Import VAT (Value Added Tax) can apply, as well as customs duties.
- Handling Fees: Amazon charges fulfillment fees once the inventory arrives at the FBA center. These include storage fees, picking/packing fees, and shipping fees for deliveries to customers.
Key Considerations for FBA Shipping from China:
- FBA Shipment Creation: Ensure you create an FBA shipment plan in Amazon Seller Central. Amazon will then generate the shipping labels and tell you which fulfillment centers to send your products to.
- Lead Time: Shipping to FBA can take time. For sea freight, it can take 3-6 weeks depending on the destination, and air freight can take 5-7 days. Factor in production lead time if you are sourcing products from manufacturers in China.
- Amazon’s FBA Fees: Be aware of the various fees Amazon charges for storing, picking, packing, and shipping your products. These fees can vary depending on the size and weight of your products.
- Customs & Import Duties: Be prepared to handle any customs clearance issues, which may require paperwork (commercial invoices, certificates of origin, etc.) and additional fees.
- Tracking: Once the shipment leaves China, make sure to keep track of the shipment’s progress to ensure it arrives at the correct FBA center without any delays.
Recommended Freight Forwarders for FBA Shipping:
- Freightos: Provides instant quotes and helps you compare rates from different freight forwarders.
- Shapiro: Specializes in FBA shipping and international logistics.
- Flexport: Offers full-service logistics solutions and specializes in e-commerce shipping to FBA.
- ShipBob: Works with e-commerce businesses to manage logistics and FBA shipments.
- MyUS: Specializes in FBA fulfillment and shipping from China to Amazon.
Would you like assistance in contacting a freight forwarder or getting a specific quote for your FBA shipment?