Amazon FBA shipping
Amazon FBA freight forwarder from China, supplier to fulfillment center
Amazon refuses cartons it can't scan or match to your plan. Every carton is checked and labeled in China, then delivered to the fulfillment centers on your shipment plan, with customs and duties arranged on DDP.
How it works
Four steps from factory to FBA
- 01
Pickup from your suppliers
We collect from one supplier or several across China and consolidate at our warehouses in China, so it all ships together.
- 02
Cargo inspection
Carton counts and condition checks, plus opened-carton or unit-by-unit checks when you ask for them.
- 03
Amazon prep and labeling
FNSKU labels, poly bagging, bundling, repacking and FBA box labels, done to Amazon's prep rules before loading.
- 04
Shipping to Amazon
Sea, air, rail or express to the fulfillment centers on your shipment plan, with import clearance and duties arranged on DDP shipments.
Receiving problems
Where FBA shipments usually go wrong, and what we check
Amazon receiving is strict. We check for these issues before cargo leaves China.
- 1
Missing or wrong unit labels
Every unit needs a scannable FNSKU label or an eligible manufacturer barcode, and old supplier barcodes can't show through. Amazon stopped offering prep and item labeling for US FBA shipments on January 1, 2026, so units have to arrive ready.
- 2
FBA box labels that don't match the plan
Each carton needs its own FBA box label, and carton contents must match what you entered in Seller Central.
- 3
Oversize or overweight cartons
As of September 2026, standard cartons for Amazon US are generally limited to 50 lb and 25 in per side, unless a single item exceeds that and is labeled accordingly. Check Seller Central for current rules. Cartons that go over are repacked.
- 4
Prep requirements
Poly bags need suffocation warnings where required, fragile items need protection, and sets must be bundled and labeled as sets.
- 5
Split shipments
Amazon may send one shipment plan to several fulfillment centers. We sort and label cartons for each destination. Amazon's inbound placement options can mean a fee if you choose fewer destinations than its recommended split, so check the current terms in Seller Central.
- 6
Importer of record
Amazon won't act as your importer of record. On DDP, you can use ours or your own, agreed in writing before booking.
Shipping modes
Pick a mode for each restock
Many sellers split a single order: air for enough units to avoid a stockout, sea for the rest.
Sea freight
Roughly 2–7 weeks port to port, by lane
The lowest cost per unit for large restocks, delivered to the fulfillment center by truck with a booked appointment.
Learn more: Sea freightAir freight
1–3 to 10+ days after departure
For launches, and for restocks when you're about to run out.
Learn more: Air freightRail freight
Europe, and UK via Europe
For Amazon Europe and UK stock, between sea and air on cost and speed.
Learn more: Rail freightExpress
1–3 to 7+ days after pickup
Small carton counts and first test shipments.
Learn more: Express
Compare
FBA shipping modes compared
Sea freight
- Relative cost
- Lowest per unit
- Typical transit (estimate)
- 2–7 weeks port to port, by lane
- Delivery to Amazon
- Pallets or truckload, with appointment
- Best for
- Planned restocks
Air freight
- Relative cost
- Higher
- Typical transit (estimate)
- 1–10+ days after departure
- Delivery to Amazon
- Pallets or cartons
- Best for
- Launches and stockouts
Express
- Relative cost
- Highest per kg
- Typical transit (estimate)
- 1–7+ days after pickup
- Delivery to Amazon
- Small parcel, no appointment
- Best for
- Test shipments, small carton counts
Rail (EU/UK)
- Relative cost
- Between sea and air
- Typical transit (estimate)
- 18–25 days station to station to Germany
- Delivery to Amazon
- Pallets or truckload, with appointment
- Best for
- Amazon Europe and UK stock
Transit times are estimates. Sea times are port to port unless stated. Air is counted from departure and express from pickup. Actual times vary by route, season, carrier space and customs.
Amazon marketplaces we ship to
- USChina to Los Angeles, Chicago, New York
- UKChina to Felixstowe
- CAChina to Vancouver, Toronto
- EUChina to Rotterdam, Hamburg
- US
Amazon.com (USA)
Fulfillment centers across the US, including split inbound shipments.
- UK
Amazon.co.uk (UK)
UK fulfillment centers, with import VAT and customs duty included on DDP.
- CA
Amazon.ca (Canada)
Canadian fulfillment centers, cleared through CBSA.
- EU
Amazon EU
Germany, France, the Netherlands and other EU marketplaces.
FAQ
Amazon FBA shipping FAQs
Question not answered here?
Message our shipping team directly, in English or Chinese.
Ask on WhatsAppWhat do I need to send you before you can ship to FBA?
Your supplier contacts and cargo ready dates, the shipment plan with destination fulfillment centers, your FBA box labels, and FNSKU labels if units need labeling. We'll check carton counts against the plan.
Can you ship to more than one fulfillment center?
Yes. When Amazon splits a shipment, we sort cartons by destination and quote delivery to each fulfillment center.
Who books the delivery appointment?
We do, on all four lanes. Pallet and truckload deliveries to Amazon need a booked appointment, and we book it as part of your delivery. Small parcel deliveries by courier don't need one.
Should I ship DDP or DDU to Amazon?
Either works, as long as customs is cleared and duties are paid before the truck reaches Amazon. Amazon won't pay import charges or act as importer of record. DDP puts that on us. DDU works if you have your own customs broker and, in the US, a customs bond. See DDP and door to door.
What if goods arrive damaged or short from my supplier?
Cartons are counted and photographed when they reach our warehouses in China, and again before dispatch. If something's wrong, you get the photos and details before anything ships, so you can take it up with your supplier while you still have leverage.
Can you hold or relabel stock in the US before it goes to Amazon?
Yes. We also have warehouses in the US, so goods can be received there, relabeled or repacked if a shipment plan changes, and then sent on to Amazon fulfillment centers. Ask for it when you request a quote. See warehousing.
Can I ship a small test order first?
Yes. A small first shipment by air or express is a good way to see how we work before you move a larger order by sea.
Related pages
- FBA prep and labeling
FNSKU labeling, FBA box labels, poly bagging, bundling and repacking in China before your goods ship. Fewer Amazon receiving issues. Send us your prep list.
- DDP and door to door
DDP door-to-door shipping from China. One price for freight, customs clearance and import duties, delivered to your address or Amazon FBA. Get a DDP quote.
- Quality inspection
Carton counts, weights, dimensions and spot checks in China before your cargo ships. Catch supplier mistakes while they can still be fixed. Book a check.
- USA
Ship from China to the USA by sea, air or express, DDP or DDU, to your warehouse or Amazon FBA. Pickup, prep and US customs planned up front. Get a quote.
- United Kingdom
Ship from China to the UK by sea, air, rail or express. DDP with import VAT and customs duty shown, delivered to your door or Amazon UK. Request a quote.
- How to Vet an FBA Freight Forwarder in China
Questions to ask before you hire an FBA freight forwarder in China: prep, FBA box labels, split shipments, importer of record, DDP quotes and hidden costs.
- Do You Need a Freight Forwarder for Alibaba?
Supplier shipping or your own forwarder? How Alibaba.com buyers can compare EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP, consolidate suppliers and hand off cargo without delays.
Get an FBA shipping quote
Send your product, carton count, weight and dimensions, supplier city and Amazon marketplace. If you already have a shipment plan, include the fulfillment center codes.
Free quotes. We typically reply within one business day by email, WhatsApp or live chat.