Posted by E-commerce sellers need to understand the shipping process from China to Amazon FBA centers to enhance business success and reduce financial costs. This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on shipping from China to Amazon FBA, covering essential aspects such as transport options, packaging, regulatory compliance, and inventory optimization strategies for efficient shipping.
How To Ship From China To Amazon FBA
Step 1 – Choose the Shipping Method
The appropriate shipping method is crucial for on-schedule delivery and cost reduction when from china to amazon fba shipping. The choice of shipping method depends on the size of the shipment, budget, delivery urgency, and the nature of the goods. Partnering with a professional logistics provider or freight forwarder who knows how to deliver to Amazon FBA is often recommended for smooth and efficient delivery. The top 3 shipping modes are given below.
- Air Freight: Air freight is the most efficient option for shipping products or urgent restocking needs. Airlines offer tight schedules, reducing delays compared to sea freight, making them ideal for smaller shipments or quick market demand responses.
- Sea Freight: This is a popular method for shipping from China to Amazon FBA, offering affordable options for larger deliveries or non-urgent products.
- Express Shipping: This process involves delivering products from China to Amazon FBA via express methods, ensuring timely and quick delivery. This option is ideal for small or urgent orders where timely delivery is crucial to meet customer demand or launch products.
Step 2 – Contact a Freight Forwarder
After you have determined the best method to ship your products, you now need to reach out to a reliable freight forwarder. Freight forwarders are logistics and
shipping specialists with extensive knowledge of international shipping regulations, customs procedures, and required documentation. Such experience makes sure that shipments comply with Chinese export regulations as well as Amazon FBA requirements.
Freight forwarders are part of a network of carriers and shipping routes that optimize the delivery of goods from China to Amazon fulfillment centers at the best possible rates. The journey can be via air, ocean, or a combination of both, ensuring timely arrival and cost-effectiveness.
Step 3 – Prepare Shipping Documents
Prepare all necessary documents for shipping from China to Amazon FBA, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, customs declarations, Amazon FBA labels, and certificates. Ensure all documents are accurate and complete to avoid potential customs holds.
Your freight forwarder will handle customs clearance in China and the port of destination, and they will need all necessary documentation and product details. Keep in contact with your freight forwarder, and Amazon’s logistic team for updates.
Step 4 – Quality Inspection of Your Products
Conduct quality inspections on goods for Amazon FBA in China to ensure product specifications align with specifications and prevent issues like returns or negative customer reviews. Establish criteria for your products, including quality standards, functionality, amazon fba packaging requirements for sellers, and adherence to Amazon’s rules.
This will ensure if there’s a problem before the goods leave China. Suppliers have to correct and improve defects at no additional fee or reject the shipment based on the inspection results.
Communicate with suppliers about product correction plans and conduct quality inspections to eliminate risks, maintain customer satisfaction, and ensure smooth operations from China to Amazon FBA.
Step 5 – Product Packaging and Label
Ensure your goods are properly packaged for Amazon FBA, meet Amazon’s standards, and are ready for efficient storage and fulfillment. Proper packaging not only safeguards your products but also boosts customer satisfaction by ensuring they arrive in good condition.
How to Package Your Goods?
The three main packaging types are box pack, poly bag, and blister pack, each designed to fit the product without leaving excess space for movement during shipping. Boxes must weigh no more than 22.68 kg, and all openings should be sealed with high-quality 2-inch-wide tape.
Protect each product individually with protective materials like bubble wrap, packing paper, or air pillows to prevent damage. use FNSKU, which is an identity relegation used by Amazon to compare inventory levels in their fulfillment houses. The FNSKU aid Amazon in tracking every product unit from its warehouse to client shipping.
How to Label Your Goods?
Amazon FBA requires each carton to have a unique FBA shipping label, which is crucial for preventing product delays or rejections, as per Amazon FBA’s requirements. The shipping labels are provided in the Seller Central account after confirming a shipping plan.
Each unit in shipment preparation must be uniquely packaged and have a barcode generated in the seller’s account when creating a product listing. The items should be correctly labeled by color and size due to the different FNSK xxU. The FNSKU label should be visible through the bag or attached to poly bagged products.
Step 6 – Track Your Shipment
To ensure a smooth shipment from China to Amazon FBA, obtain the tracking number from your freight forwarder or carrier and track the shipment. Ensure you have all necessary shipment documents, including the bill of lading or air waybill, which usually contain tracking information.
The carrier’s website or mobile application allows users to track the shipment’s status in real-time by input their tracking number. monitor the status of customs clearance, arrivals at transit points like ports and airports.contact with Amazon’s FBA team to guarantee your shipment is delivered within the specified time frame.
Two Options for Shipping from China to Amazon FBA
Option-1 Ship Directly from China to Amazon FBA
Communication and language issues are common issues with Chinese manufacturers, and it is crucial to be aware of critical points in communication. Despite Chinese suppliers becoming familiar with FBA specifications, it’s crucial to provide them with the correct procedure and necessary items.
Pros of Shipping Directly from China to Amazon FBA
- Quicker transit times significantly reduce product arrival times, enabling faster start-up times for Amazon sales.
- Direct shipping provides greater control over the entire logistics chain, from production or supplier in China to the Amazon FBA warehouse.
Cons of Shipping Directly from China to Amazon FBA
- Logistics management can be complex unless you have experience in international shipping or Amazon’s specific requirements for FBA shipments.
- The absence of a middleman or prep service can increase shipment delays or rejection by Amazon FBA warehouses due to non-compliance with minor details.
Option-2 Ship to a Middleman, and Then Ship to Amazon FBA
Shipping to a middleman, who then sends products to Amazon FBA from China, can be strategic for consolidating shipments and obtaining quality control and labeling services. Assure yourself of a good, reputable middleman or prep service that is experienced in handling shipments heading to Amazon FBA.
Provide your middleman with all necessary instructions for the Amazon shipment process, including shipment IDs and delivery addresses for the FBA warehouses where the products are being sent.
Pros of Shipping to a Middleman
- Middlemen adhere to strict Amazon labeling, quality control, and packaging guidelines for shipment preparation, reducing the risk of product rejection at Amazon FBA warehouses due to compliance issues.
- Middlemen conduct quality inspections and checks before shipping to guarantee adherence to quality standards and customer expectations.
Cons of Shipping to a Middleman
- Middlemen’s fees for services like labeling, inspection, and consolidation can reduce profit margins by adding additional costs to the equation.
- Using a middleman requires abandoning control over your logistics chain and relying on their capabilities and communication to ensure proper preparation and delivery.
What are the Biggest Mistakes When Shipping to Amazon FBA from China?
Not Aware of Chinese Holidays: Avoiding Chinese holidays during shipping to Amazon FBA can cause delays and logistical challenges, as major holidays in China impact production, shipping schedules, and customs clearance. Unawareness about holidays can lead to production delays, longer lead times, or missed shipping deadlines. Coordinating with suppliers and placing orders early is crucial, including holidays in production and shipping timelines, to ensure timely delivery. Some important Chinese holidays including:
- New Year’s Day: January 1st,
- Chinese New Year (Spring Festival): 1st day in the lunar calendar
- Qingming Festival (Tomb Sweeping): April 4th or 5th
- Labor Day: May 1st
- The Dragon Boat Festival: 5th day of the 5th month
- The Mid-Autumn Festival: 15th of the 8th month
- National Day (Golden Week): October 1st.
Paying the Full Amount
In China, it is common practice to deposit 30% in advance for common goods and 70% upon production readiness, unless ordering samples, to avoid paying upfront for goods. A buyer aims to minimize risks by negotiating the lowest initial deposit amount, focusing on quality control and verification during mid- and end-production before full payment is made. Paying upfront may not ensure supplier commitment to deadlines, as they may prioritize other orders and delay production.
Underestimating Shipping Costs
Beginners often underestimate the costs of shipping from China to Amazon FBA warehouses, including customs duties, import taxes, inland transportation costs, and receiving fees charged by Amazon.
Not Understanding Amazon’s Requirements
Beginners often struggle with understanding Amazon’s packaging, labeling, and product preparation requirements for FBA shipment. understand the barcode labeling (FNSKU), poly bagging requirements, and packaging standards. It’s crucial to know Amazon’s specifications and adhere strictly to their guidelines for packaging, labeling, and shipment preparation.
Choosing the Wrong Freight Forwarder
Instead of relying solely on cost, prioritize reliability, experience, or specialization in shipping to Amazon FBA. Select a freight forwarder or carrier with a proven track record of successfully handling shipments to Amazon FBA. Verify references and review other seller reviews to assess their reliability and customer service.
Poor Inventory Management
Inaccurate demand information can lead to stock-outs or excess inventory, impacting sales and profitability. Regularly monitor sales performance and inventory levels at Amazon Seller Central using the available reporting tools. Implement a formal inventory forecasting process utilizing historical data and seasonal trends to optimize stock levels.
