Before production finishes
- Create the shipment plan in Seller Central (Send to Amazon). You need the units per carton and carton count; get the packaging spec from the factory first and build the plan around it.
- Download the FNSKU labels as PDF and send them to whoever applies them. Never send a screenshot.
- Confirm prep requirements per SKU: poly bag with suffocation warning (openings of 5 inches or more), bubble wrap for fragile, set labels for bundles.
- Carton spec to the factory: under 50 lb (22.7 kg), no side longer than 25 inches for standard-size items, one SKU per carton unless the plan says otherwise.
- Book the pre-shipment inspection for when production is at 100% and at least 80% packed.
Customs: who imports, and under what terms
Amazon will not act as importer of record and will not pay duties. Someone else has to: you, through your own customs bond and broker, or your forwarder under DDP terms. For most non-US sellers, DDP through the forwarder is the practical route: the forwarder's broker files the entry, pays duties and invoices you.
You need the 10-digit HTS code for each SKU before departure. Section 301 tariffs apply to most Chinese-origin goods on top of the base rate; a quote that does not mention them is incomplete.
Choosing the freight mode
| Mode | Door to FC | Typical rate basis | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air express (courier) | 5–8 days | from ~$7.8/kg | Launch units, urgent top-ups under 100 kg |
| Air freight | 7–12 days | from ~$5.2/kg | High value per kg, seasonal restocks |
| Sea LCL | 30–45 days | from ~$190/m³ | Regular restocks, the lowest cost per unit for most products |
| Sea FCL | 28–40 days | per container | 15 m³ and up |
Air is billed on the greater of actual and volumetric weight (L × W × H in cm ÷ 6,000). Repacking into tighter cartons at a China warehouse often cuts the billed weight by 15–30%.
Delivery into the fulfilment center
- LTL and FTL deliveries need an appointment through Amazon's carrier portal; the forwarder's US agent books it. No appointment, no unloading.
- Floor-loaded cartons are accepted for small parcel; palletized freight must be on 40 × 48 inch GMA pallets, under 72 inches high, with pallet labels.
- Every carton carries the FBA carton label from the plan; the box content information must match what is inside.
- Keep the proof of delivery. Discrepancies between shipped and received units are reconciled against it.
The six reasons shipments get refused or delayed
- Carton label missing or from a different shipment plan.
- FNSKU does not match the ASIN in the plan, or covers only part of the manufacturer barcode.
- Cartons over 50 lb without a Team Lift label, or over the dimension limit.
- Mixed SKUs in one carton without the plan saying so.
- Delivery without an appointment, or a carrier not registered with Amazon.
- Duties unpaid at the border, with Amazon named as consignee: the shipment is held and Amazon does not resolve it.
All six are checked at a China consolidation warehouse before the goods leave. That one intake step is why direct-to-FBA shipments through a warehouse have fewer problems than factory-direct ones.
Frequently asked
Can I ship directly from the factory to Amazon FBA? +
Yes, but nobody checks labels, carton weights or counts between the factory and the fulfilment center. Routing through a China warehouse adds one or two days and removes most refusal risk.
Who pays import duties on FBA shipments? +
Never Amazon. Either you, with your own bond and broker, or your forwarder under DDP terms. Confirm which before departure.
How long does China to FBA take by sea? +
Door to fulfilment center, 30–45 days to the US West Coast or East Coast via LCL, including customs and the delivery appointment.
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Figures are indicative floor rates and typical fee ranges on our lanes as of Oct 11, 2026. Duty rates depend on your product's tariff code and declared value. This is general information, not customs or legal advice.