Amazon FBA Shipping from China: Complete Guide for Sellers 2025
Shipping products from China directly to Amazon FBA warehouses represents a cornerstone strategy for successful e-commerce businesses. This comprehensive guide covers everything from supplier coordination to FBA compliance, helping you navigate the complexities of international FBA shipping while maximizing profitability and minimizing errors.
Understanding Amazon FBA Shipping Requirements
Amazon maintains strict requirements for FBA shipments to ensure efficient warehouse operations. Non-compliance results in refusal at receiving docks, storage fees, or even account penalties. Understanding these requirements before your first shipment prevents costly mistakes.
Critical FBA Requirements
- Labeling: Every unit must have a scannable FNSKU label (Amazon barcode) covering any manufacturer barcodes
- Box Requirements: Maximum 25 inches on any side unless oversized category; weight limits of 50 lbs for standard, 50+ lbs requires special labeling
- Packaging: Products must arrive ready to sell with no additional prep needed unless using Amazon Prep Service
- Shipment Planning: Create shipment plans in Seller Central before goods leave China
- Appointment Scheduling: Some FBA warehouses require delivery appointments, arranged by your freight forwarder
- Carrier Requirements: Amazon requires specific carrier types depending on shipment size and warehouse
Choosing Your Shipping Method
FBA sellers typically choose between three primary shipping methods, each offering different trade-offs between cost, speed, and convenience.
Step-by-Step FBA Shipping Process
Finalize Order with Chinese Supplier
Clearly communicate FBA requirements to your supplier. Specify whether they should apply FNSKU labels, perform poly-bagging, or leave products unprepared. Request that outer cartons meet Amazon’s box requirements. Confirm delivery timeline allows for shipping duration plus customs clearance.
Create FBA Shipment Plan in Seller Central
Log into Amazon Seller Central and create your shipment plan. Amazon will designate receiving warehouses based on product category and current warehouse capacity. You may receive multiple destination warehouses requiring split shipments. Generate shipment IDs and shipping labels from Seller Central.
Arrange Freight Forwarding
Contact FBA-experienced freight forwarders for quotes. Provide shipment details including weight, dimensions, product category, and destination warehouses. Request door-to-door service that includes customs clearance and final delivery to Amazon warehouses. Verify the forwarder’s experience with Amazon delivery appointments and requirements.
Complete FBA Prep Requirements
Ensure products meet all FBA prep standards. This includes FNSKU labeling on every unit, suffocation warning labels on poly bags, and proper packaging to prevent damage. You can handle prep yourself, hire your Chinese supplier, or use third-party prep services in China or the destination country.
Handle Customs Clearance
Your freight forwarder typically manages customs clearance using your provided documentation. Ensure accurate commercial invoices with correct HS codes, product descriptions, and values. Provide your IOR (Importer of Record) information. For US shipments, file ISF at least 24 hours before vessel departure.
Coordinate Final Delivery
Schedule delivery appointments with Amazon warehouses as required. Provide Amazon shipment IDs and BOL references to your carrier. Ensure palletized shipments meet Amazon’s pallet requirements. Monitor delivery closely and confirm receipt in Seller Central, where inventory becomes available after check-in processing.
FBA Prep Services: DIY vs Outsourcing
FBA preparation can be handled through multiple channels, each with distinct advantages depending on your business model and volume.
Supplier Prep in China
Cost: $0.10-0.30 per unit
- Most cost-effective option
- Products ship ready to Amazon
- No additional handling
- Fastest to FBA warehouse
- Requires trusting supplier
- Quality control concerns
- Must provide clear instructions
- Mistakes costly to fix
Third-Party Prep Center
Cost: $0.50-1.50 per unit
- Professional service
- Quality assurance
- Handles inspections
- Can fix supplier issues
- Higher costs
- Adds transit time
- Extra handling step
- Coordination required
FNSKU Labels
Required on every sellable unit covering manufacturer barcodes
Poly Bagging
Products with loose parts, fabric, or plush materials need poly bags
Suffocation Labels
Poly bags 5+ inches require warning labels in specified format
Bubble Wrap
Fragile items need protective wrapping to prevent damage
Box Requirements
Outer cartons max 25″ any side unless oversized category
Weight Limits
Standard boxes 50 lbs max, heavy boxes need special labels
Cost Breakdown and Budgeting
Understanding total landed costs helps price products competitively while maintaining healthy margins. FBA shipping involves multiple cost components beyond basic freight charges.
| Cost Component | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Product Cost | Varies | FOB price from Chinese supplier |
| Freight (Sea) | $3-6/kg | 20-35 day transit, most economical |
| Freight (Air) | $8-12/kg | 5-8 day transit, faster restocking |
| Customs Duty | 0-25% | Based on HS code and country of import |
| FBA Prep | $0.10-1.50/unit | Labeling, poly bags, bubble wrap |
| Customs Clearance | $100-300 | Per shipment broker fees |
| Quality Inspection | $200-500 | Optional but recommended |
| Insurance | 0.5-1.5% | Of cargo value, highly recommended |
💰 Cost Optimization Strategy
For products with consistent sales velocity, maintain a 90-day inventory buffer shipped via sea freight for base stock. Use air freight for rapid restocking when sales exceed forecasts or for new product launches requiring quick market validation. This hybrid approach optimizes both cost efficiency and inventory availability.
Common FBA Shipping Mistakes
🚨 Critical Errors to Avoid
- Missing FNSKU Labels: Every unit needs proper labeling or Amazon refuses shipment
- Incorrect Box Dimensions: Oversized boxes incur refusal or manual processing fees
- Poor Packaging: Inadequate protection leads to damaged inventory and customer complaints
- Expired Products: Items with insufficient shelf life get rejected at receiving
- Mixed SKUs: Different products must be properly segregated in shipments
- No Delivery Appointment: Many warehouses refuse shipments without scheduled appointments
- Incorrect Shipment IDs: Wrong labels cause receiving delays and lost inventory
- Prohibited Items: Verify product compliance with FBA restrictions before shipping
Working with FBA Freight Forwarders
Selecting the right freight forwarder significantly impacts your FBA success. Look for companies with proven Amazon experience who understand FBA requirements and can navigate the specific challenges of warehouse deliveries.
Essential Forwarder Capabilities
- Amazon Expertise: Deep knowledge of FBA requirements and warehouse procedures
- Split Shipment Handling: Ability to efficiently manage deliveries to multiple FBA warehouses
- Appointment Scheduling: Experience coordinating delivery appointments with Amazon facilities
- Labeling Services: Can apply box labels with Amazon shipment IDs and BOL information
- Customs Expertise: Smooth clearance process with accurate documentation and HS code knowledge
- Tracking Visibility: Real-time updates on shipment status from China to FBA warehouse
- Problem Resolution: Capable of handling rejections, rerouting, or documentation issues
📊 Forwarder Selection Criteria
Request quotes from 3-5 FBA-specialized forwarders. Compare total door-to-door costs including all fees, not just base freight rates. Ask for client references from other FBA sellers. Verify their damage claim process and insurance options. Test their responsiveness and communication quality before committing to large shipments. The cheapest option rarely delivers the best total value when factoring in reliability and service quality.
Inventory Management for FBA Shipping
Strategic inventory management balances having adequate stock against tying up excessive capital and incurring long-term storage fees.
Optimal Reorder Strategy
Calculate your reorder point using the formula: (Average Daily Sales × Lead Time Days) + Safety Stock. For China-sourced products, lead time includes production time, shipping duration, customs clearance, and FBA check-in processing. Add 15-20% safety stock to cover unexpected sales spikes or shipping delays.
Monitor your Inventory Performance Index (IPI) score in Seller Central. Scores below 400 risk storage limits and higher fees. Improve IPI by reducing excess inventory, fixing stranded listings, and maintaining healthy stock levels.
Dealing with Long-Term Storage Fees
Amazon charges long-term storage fees for inventory sitting 365+ days. Review aged inventory reports monthly. For slow-moving products, consider removal orders, liquidation sales, or promotional campaigns rather than accumulating storage fees that erode profitability.
Need FBA Shipping Expertise?
Our team specializes in China-to-FBA logistics with extensive experience handling Amazon’s requirements and optimizing shipping costs.
Get FBA Shipping QuoteFuture-Proofing Your FBA Business
Amazon continuously updates FBA requirements and fee structures. Stay informed through Seller Central announcements and Amazon seller forums. Build relationships with reliable suppliers who understand FBA standards and can adapt to requirement changes.
Consider diversifying your supplier base to reduce risk from single-source dependencies. Explore multi-country fulfillment opportunities like Amazon Global Selling to expand market reach. Invest in inventory management software that integrates with Seller Central for automated reordering and forecasting.
As your business scales, evaluate establishing your own inspection and prep operations in China for greater quality control and cost efficiency. Many successful FBA sellers eventually hire local agents or establish offices in Chinese manufacturing hubs for hands-on oversight.
