Shipping Costs From China To Amazon FBA
Sea Freight
FCL: Suitable for large quantities of goods, the cost is usually $2,800 to $4,550 per 20-foot container and $4,000 to $5,850 for a 40-foot container.
LCL: Suitable for small quantities of goods, charged by volume. Usually the price is $180 to $300 per cubic meter. Loading and unloading time may be increased.
Air Freight
The shipping cost is usually between $5 and $10 per kilogram. It is applicable when the quantity of goods is small and fast delivery is required. The price may increase during peak periods (such as holidays) to $10 to $15 per kilogram.
Express Shipping
Express companies such as DHL, UPS, and FedEx provide door-to-door services, which are suitable for urgent and small quantities of goods. Usually $15 to $25 per kilogram. The cost is higher, but it is convenient and fast, suitable for time-sensitive products.
Destination
Amazon has multiple FBA warehouses in the United States, Europe, Asia, and other places. Warehouses in different regions may have different shipping costs.
United States: The United States is one of the common FBA destinations. Warehouses on the West Coast (such as Los Angeles and San Francisco) have lower sea freight costs than warehouses on the East Coast (such as New York), and there is not much difference in air freight.
Europe: Amazon FBA warehouses in Germany, the United Kingdom, and France have slightly higher sea freight prices, and EU tariffs need to be considered. Shipping to a warehouse closer to the destination may save costs, and the specific warehouse allocation is determined by Amazon.
Amazon FBA related costs
Storage fees: calculated based on the volume and storage time of the product. The off-season (January to September) is usually $0.75 per cubic foot per month, and the peak season (October to December) increases to $2.40 per cubic foot per month. The storage fee for large items will be higher.
FBA order processing fee: Amazon charges a processing fee based on the weight and size of each item. Small, lightweight items may cost about $2.50 to $5 per item, while large items may cost as much as $10 to $20.
Customs Clearance, Duties and Import Taxes
Customs Clearance Fees: Goods exported from China to foreign countries need to go through customs clearance. Usually, customs clearance agents will charge a service fee of about $100 to $200, depending on the type and quantity of goods.
Tariffs: Tariffs and import taxes are calculated based on the regulations of the importing country and the type of goods. For example, tariffs in the United States are usually determined based on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, with rates ranging from 0% to 25%, with lower rates for electronic products and higher rates for clothing, footwear, etc. The rates in EU countries are generally between 5% and 20%.
Additional Fees for FBA Compliance Requirements
Labels and Packaging: Amazon has strict packaging, labeling, barcoding and other requirements for incoming goods. If these tasks are handled by suppliers in China, additional packaging and labeling fees may be required, usually $0.1 to $0.5 per item.
Amazon’s Product Inspection Service: Ensure that the goods meet Amazon’s requirements, otherwise returns or rejections may occur. Third-party inspection services can cost anywhere from $100 to $400, depending on the items and scope of the inspection.