Guidance on shipping from China to Amazon FBA
With the rapid development of global e-commerce, more and more sellers choose to transport their products from China to Amazon warehouses for storage, and achieve efficient logistics and delivery through Amazon FBA (Amazon Fulfillment). This article will provide you with a detailed introduction to the transportation from China to Amazon FBA warehouses.
What is Amazon FBA?
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is a warehousing and logistics service provided by Amazon to sellers. Through FBA, sellers store their products in Amazon’s warehouses, and Amazon will be responsible for order picking, packaging, shipping and customer service. Sellers only need to focus on sales and marketing, while Amazon is responsible for the rest of the logistics and distribution.
Advantages of FBA:
- Efficient delivery: Amazon’s huge logistics network can ensure faster delivery speed,
- Warehouse management: Amazon provides one-stop services such as storage, packaging, and shipping, and sellers do not need to manage warehouses themselves.
- Global delivery: Through Amazon’s global logistics network, sellers can easily expand into the international market.
Choose the Right Freight Method
From China to Amazon FBA warehouse, sellers can choose different modes of transportation, mainly including sea, air, and rail transportation, each of which has different characteristics.
Sea Freight
Sea Freight is the most commonly used mode of transportation, especially suitable for bulk goods and long-term planned shipments, with low unit transportation costs. Usually the transportation time from Chinese ports to destinations such as the United States and Europe is 25-35 days.
Air Freight
Air Freight is a fast and efficient mode of transportation, suitable for time-sensitive goods. Air transportation usually takes 4-7 days. Air transportation from China to the United States or other countries can significantly shorten the delivery time, which is suitable for popular goods or goods in promotional seasons.
Rail Freight
Rail Freight is a mode of transportation that has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in transportation between China and Europe. The transportation time is usually 15-20 days, which is faster than sea transportation, but the cost is slightly higher than sea transportation, suitable for medium-urgent goods.
How to Prepare Goods for Export
Before preparing to send goods to Amazon FBA, sellers need to make full preparations, including packaging, labeling and other documents for goods.
Goods Packaging
Amazon has clear requirements for the packaging of FBA goods. Sellers must ensure that the goods are well packaged and meet Amazon’s standard requirements to avoid damage during transportation. Each box needs to have a clear label and be able to withstand multiple handling.
Labels and Labels
Amazon requires a unique barcode label (FNSKU) on each product and each box. Sellers need to generate these labels through the Amazon backend and ensure that the labels of each product are clear and scannable.
Document Preparation
Sellers need to prepare relevant export documents, including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, customs declarations, etc., for smooth customs clearance. Make sure the documents are complete and accurate to avoid delays in customs clearance or warehousing.
Shipping Cost from China to Amazon FBA
The cost of shipping from China to Amazon FBA varies with market changes and is mainly affected by the following factors:
- Product Size and Weight: Products are classified into size categories, primarily Standard Size and Oversize. The rate for fulfillment depends largely on the product’s weight and dimensions.
- Standard Size: These are items that weigh less than 20 lb and fit within 18″ x 14″ x 8″ dimensions.
- Oversize: Items exceeding the Standard Size fall into this category, which includes Small, Medium, Large, and Special Oversize tiers.
- Storage Fees: Amazon charges storage fees for holding inventory in its fulfillment centers. These fees are usually higher during the peak holiday season from October to December due to increased demand.
- Seasonal Surcharges: During high-demand periods, Amazon often adds surcharges to shipping and storage fees, which can significantly affect total costs.
Below are the updated Amazon FBA shipping rates , based on product categories:
| Product Category | Weight | Rate per Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Size – Small | ≤ 1 lb | $3.22 |
| Standard Size – Large | 1-2 lb | $4.75 |
| Standard Size – Large | 2-3 lb | $5.34 + $0.38 per lb above 3 lb |
| Oversize – Small | ≤ 70 lb | $8.26 + $0.38 per lb above 2 lb |
| Oversize – Medium | 70-150 lb | $16.50 + $0.38 per lb above 2 lb |
| Oversize – Large | > 150 lb | Custom rates based on size and weight |
| Monthly Storage Fees | Time Period | Rate per Cubic Foot |
| Standard Size Products | Jan – Sep | $0.87 |
| Standard Size Products | Oct – Dec | $2.40 |
Additional Fees to Consider
- Long-term Storage Fees: Products stored in Amazon fulfillment centers for more than 365 days are subject to a long-term storage fee of $6.90 per cubic foot or $0.15 per unit (whichever is greater).
- Removal and Handling Fees: To remove unsold inventory, Amazon charges a removal fee of $0.97 to $1.97 per unit, depending on product size.
- Return Handling Fees: Items in categories such as apparel are subject to a return handling fee equal to the original order fulfillment fee.
Amazon FBA Process of Shipping from China
The goods arrive at the Amazon FBA warehouse from China. This process includes the following steps:
Create FBA shipping plan
Create an FBA shipping plan through the Amazon backend, select the appropriate warehouse and provide detailed cargo information. Amazon will arrange shipments based on the seller’s product type and warehouse space.
Shipping confirmation and goods delivery
After the goods are delivered to the designated warehouse, the seller needs to confirm that the goods have arrived and process them for warehousing according to Amazon’s requirements. Usually Amazon will inspect, mark, and warehouse the goods.
Inventory management
Amazon will automatically allocate goods to multiple warehouses for storage. Sellers can check the inventory status through the backend and replenish them in time.
How to Work with a Freight Forwarder
Freight forwarders play a vital role in the entire shipping process. Choosing a reliable freight forwarder can help sellers solve various problems in transportation, such as customs clearance, cargo tracking, freight settlement, etc.
Main advantages of Presou Logistics:
- Lower shipping costs: Unlike FBA, which includes multiple fees and seasonal surcharges, Presou Logistics offers transparent and competitive shipping rates, which can help you significantly reduce costs.
- Flexible storage solutions: With Presou Logistics, you can choose flexible warehousing options that suit your business needs, thereby avoiding Amazon’s high seasonal storage fees.
- End-to-end service: We provide comprehensive shipping solutions, including customs clearance, packaging, and final delivery, making the process easier and more efficient.
- Dedicated customer support: Our team of logistics experts provides personalized assistance throughout the shipping process to ensure that your business runs smoothly without unexpected challenges.
Shipping from China to Amazon FBA is a complicated process. Through reasonable logistics planning and cost management, sellers can efficiently expand into the international market.