2025-08-29 11:07:38
For Amazon sellers, an efficient supply chain is the lifeline of their business. A critical component of this chain is mastering the logistics of shipping Amazon FBA from China to the United States. This guide is designed to be a comprehensive, easy-to-understand textbook for all sellers, helping you navigate complex international logistics and ensure your goods arrive safely, on time, and affordably at the Amazon fulfillment center.
Shipping your products from China to an Amazon FBA warehouse can be broken down into four key steps.
In your Amazon account: Create a shipment plan to get the FBA warehouse address and box labels.
Product prep: Ensure every product has an FNSKU barcode and every outer carton has the correct Amazon shipping label.
Select the best method based on your product type, urgency, and budget.
Why it's important: A good freight forwarder handles the complex international logistics and customs clearance for you.
Key point: You must choose a forwarder that offers DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service. DDP means they will manage all shipping costs and customs procedures, ensuring a smooth delivery to the FBA warehouse, as Amazon will not act as the Importer of Record.
Tracking: Your forwarder will provide a tracking number so you can monitor your shipment's status.
Final delivery: Once the goods arrive in the U.S., the forwarder will arrange for a truck or courier to deliver the goods directly to the Amazon FBA warehouse, completing the entire process.
For shipping Amazon FBA from China to the United States, understanding the entire process is vital. This is an end-to-end journey from the supplier to the Amazon warehouse, primarily including these stages:
Choosing the right shipping method is a key factor in managing costs and transit times. For international freight, the main categories are sea and air freight. For FBA, more specialized services like sea-express and sea-truck have emerged.
| Method | Cost | Transit Time | Advantage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Freight (FCL/LCL) | Low | 25-45 days | Lowest cost, large capacity | Heavy, bulky goods with no urgency |
| Air Freight | High | 5-15 days | Fastest, high security | Urgent restock, high-value, small items |
| Sea-Express (Sea + Express) | Medium-High | 20-30 days | Door-to-door, fast transit time | Small, loose-carton shipments |
| Sea-Truck (Sea + Truck) | Medium-Low | 25-35 days | Low cost, ideal for large pallets | Bulky, heavy goods where cost is key |
According to IATA's 2025 data, air cargo demand is stable, with rates remaining steady due to a decrease in fuel costs. In sea freight, Freightos's 2025 report shows that while global supply chain congestion has eased, rates are still subject to fluctuations due to port congestion and route adjustments.
To accurately calculate your profit, you must understand every part of the logistics cost. The total cost for shipping Amazon FBA from China to the United States mainly includes:
Note: Choosing a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service is essential. Under a DDP model, the freight forwarder handles all customs, duties, and delivery charges for a single, all-inclusive price, greatly simplifying the process.
Even if the logistics process is smooth, your shipment could face extra charges or delays if it doesn't comply with Amazon's inbound requirements. Here are some key points to remember:
The most reliable way to track your order is directly through the Amazon website or app.
For certain deliveries, especially when the driver is close, you may be able to see the package's real-time location on a map.
Amazon Logistics tracking numbers often start with "TBA" (for example, TBA1234567890). These tracking numbers can typically only be tracked on Amazon's platform. They are not compatible with third-party tracking websites like UPS or FedEx.
Amazon Freight LTL is a less-than-truckload (LTL) service provided by Amazon for FBA sellers. It allows you to ship your inventory on pallets through Amazon's own transportation network directly to their fulfillment centers.
Shipments that are too large for a small parcel service but not large enough to fill an entire truck. This typically applies to palletized freight weighing between 150 lbs and 10,000 lbs.
The cost to ship from China to the USA depends mainly on the shipping method, the size of your item, and its weight.
For an accurate quote, it's best to contact a freight forwarder directly.
This term refers to the entire process of transporting goods from a Chinese factory to an Amazon FBA warehouse.
Sea-express uses sea freight plus express courier (like UPS/FedEx) for final delivery, while sea-truck uses sea freight plus truck transport.
Because Amazon will not act as the Importer of Record. DDP ensures all customs and duties issues are handled by your freight forwarder before delivery.
Look for a company with extensive FBA experience, that offers DDP service, has transparent pricing, and provides good customer support.
It's crucial to purchase cargo insurance before shipping. If an incident occurs, you can file a claim with the insurance company.
Typically, you'll need a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading.
No. Times can be affected by weather, customs inspections, port congestion, and holidays. It's always wise to allow for extra time.
Customs inspections can be random or triggered by incomplete documentation, misdeclaration of goods, or sensitive product types, which can cause delays.
A freight forwarder arranges the transport. A customs broker specializes in clearing goods through customs. Many companies offer both services.
Your freight forwarder will provide a bill of lading or a tracking number, which you can use to track the shipment on the carrier's or courier's website.
Yes, this is usually handled by your freight forwarder. Truck deliveries (sea-truck) must have a pre-scheduled appointment.
A prep center is a service that inspects, labels, and packages your goods in China or the US to ensure they meet Amazon's strict requirements before shipping to FBA.
Forest Leopard International Logistics Co.
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