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Detailed Guide: Shipping from China to Amazon FBA

Whether you’re new to shipping from China to an Amazon FBA warehouse or you are an established e-commerce company like many of our customers, this step-by-step guide is a handy resource to keep bookmarked.  (once this gets good traffic, we should make a checklist lead magnet and add folks to list)

Step 1: Choose the Right Shipping Method

Although shipping is on the latter part of the supply chain, it shouldn’t be taken into the back seat. The first decision you will need to make when shipping your goods to Amazon FBA is to select a shipping method. This will give you the idea on how long the transit will take as well as the shipping cost. Some sellers lost their ability to earn more profit simply because they failed to decide on the onset of their sourcing which shipping method is suitable for them. 

Detailing every last consideration when choosing shipping from China to the US, or Europe, is beyond the scope of this article. We do have detailed guided available here.

But the primary consideration you’ll need to make is what type of shipping service to use, and your options are:

• China express shipping
• China air freight
• China sea freight

And rarely, China land freight (only possible when shipping within Asia and Europe)

Let’s cover the 3 most common, when you’d want to use them, as well as a few of their advantages and disadvantages

Express Shipping

Express shipping from China to Amazon FBA is ideal for shipments with volume and gross weight of under 1 CBM and 200 kilograms respectively. The chargeable weight is either the gross weight or the volume weight, whichever is higher. The formula used to calculate the volume weight (using the metric system) is the total CBM divided by 5000. 

Typically, the suppliers can get a reasonable rate for shipments of this size from their local freight forwarders. However, it may be advantageous to get a quote from your freight forwarder if you already have an established relationship in China in case a problem arises during the transit. 

Air Express is the fastest way to get your goods shipped to Amazon FBA. However, the time saved comes with a premium. Pre-COVID, the cost of air express to the US will range around $4 to $6 per kilogram for a general cargo. This cost has increased to more than 100% as of the time of this writing. 

Shipping using express courier services is advantageous because it gets your goods directly to Amazon and comes with some risks. There are some instances when the shipment will require additional requirements, for example, a form that needs to be filed. If mishandled, the shipment can be returned back to China. All expenses that will be incurred is going to be shouldered by the buyer. That is why finding a reputable freight forwarder is highly recommended, as they can ensure all compliance is met before shipping. 

Air Freight

Using China Air Freight is the best option when your cargo’s weight is more than 200 kilograms and is more than 2 CBM. It’s recommended that you always use a freight forwarder based in China when shipping air freight, as they will be able to leverage their high-volume rates to get you a much lower cost than your supplier or if you tried to arrange the shipment yourself. 

Air freight’s advantage is that it is much faster than sea freight and may even be cheaper than a Sea LCL shipment for small-volume shipments. The average transit time for air freight is within 5 to 9 days after the departure from China. 

The per kilogram rate of air freight is usually cheaper than air express. Aside from that, the factor used to compute the volume weight is higher, which means that it’s cheaper to ship goods that are charged with the volume weight compared to air express. The volume weight can be computed as the total CBM divided by 6000. 

Although air freight can usually be much cheaper than the air express, there could be times too when it might cost more. So it’s best to check with your freight forwarder to understand what the best option is for you. 

Another disadvantage is that there are some types of products that are not allowed to ship using air freight such as aerosol cans or sprays, dry ice, and Lithium batteries. If in doubt, it’s best to check with your freight forwarder if your product is allowed to be shipped via air if you are planning to use this method. 

Sea Freight

China Sea Freight is typically the best option when the good’s volume is at least 2 CBM or weighs 400kg or more. 

There are two common options when shipping via ocean freight from China; Less than Container load (LCL) and Full Container Load (FCL). The volume will dictate which of the two options are more suitable for your shipment. 

The LCL shipment is typically up to 3 times more expensive per cubic meter than FCL. However, it’s the best option for cargoes that are less than 14 CBM. FCL might be more relevant to use if the cargo is bigger than the said volume, even if your goods do not fill the entire container. 

The main advantage of sea freight is that it is much cheaper than air express or air freight from China, given if the cargo meets the suggested minimum volume and weight of 2CBM and 400 kilograms. Aside from the cost, sea freight can usually transport the cargo that cannot be shipped using the air method. 

The transit time is the trade-off of being a cheaper option to air shipment. So it is recommended to plan and add some buffer on the logistics to avoid any interruption on your supply chain. 

Step 3: Contact a China-Based Freight Forwarder

Once you’ve given some consideration on the best method to ship your goods, it’s time to contact a reputable freight fowarder to obtain a quote. You can also consult your freight forwarder for available options if you are unsure of which method to use. 

Shipping is something that you should not leave in the hands of your supplier. The supplier’s business is to produce goods and help you export them from China. They typically will lack the detailed knowledge of your destination country’s importing requirements, Amazon FBA labeling requirements, etc.

Plus, a freight forwarder is in the business of shipping goods, so they will be able to obtain you much better shipping rates than your supplier, or if you tried to arrange shipment yourself.

Other advantages of using a China-based freight forwarder includes communicating directly with your supplier which will save you time especially when there’s a huge time zone difference. Having your freight forwarder in China will give you more assurance that the goods will be leaving the county with proper shipping labels and in good condition. 

Step 4: Run a Quality Inspection on Your Goods

It’s important to remember that when you ship goods directly from China to Amazon FBA, you will not have the opportunity to inspect the quality of the goods before they arrive at Amazon’s door.

To add an extra layer of protection, we recommend that you arrange a quality control inspection while your goods are still in the factory. Use a reputable China quality control  company to conduct Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) to ensure the products have been produced to your and Amazon’s standards. (We recommend QIMA)

Fortunately, these services are relatively inexpensive in China. The best companies even offer the option to buy China quality control services with the simple click of a button and your goods can be inspected in as little as 24 hours after the booking has been made.

Step 5: Create an Amazon Shipping Plan

Now that your goods’ have been verified for quality, it’s time to prepare your Amazon Shipping Plan in Seller Central. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do that from Amazon. 

As an Amazon Seller, it is recommended that you are always up to date on any changes so it’s best to always refer to Amazon’s website for the list of requirements.

Step 6: Package and Label Goods Correctly for Amazon

The Amazon FBA warehouse will be notified to expect your goods after creating the shipping plan. The next step is to have your goods packaged to Amazon’s standards. 

Typically, factories can follow simple instructions for putting labels on the product’s packaging. Having a quality control inspection can help you check whether the factory labeled everything correctly. 

There are times when a more complicated process for FBA labeling is needed such as having multiple SKUs for different varieties or several products needing kitting. A better option for these instances is to find service providers who can do FBA prep.