Want to ship to Amazon FBA hassle-free? Explore the ins and outs, and follow our step-by-step guide for success.
Why Amazon FBA Is a Game-Changer for SMBs and eCommerce Stores
Did you know that SMBs and eCommerce businesses sell an average of 8,600 items every minute, or 4.5 billion units of products annually on Amazon? The best part is that anyone can do it, thanks to their Fulfillment By Amazon (Amazon FBA) program.
All you have to do to start selling on Amazon is join the Amazon FBA program, ship your merchandise directly to Amazon from the supplier’s factory, and they’ll take care of the rest for you.
So, if you’re an SMB owner interested in using Amazon FBA as a fulfillment option, this blog is for you. You’ll learn the step-by-step process for shipping to Amazon FBA while saving money. Let’s get started.
How to Send Products To Amazon FBA
Here’s a summary of the process for sending to Amazon FBA. We’ll break down the steps in detail later on:
- Sign up for an Amazon Seller account
- Create a shipping plan
- Create a product listing under the managed FBA inventory section
- Click Manage Inventory and select Fulfill By Amazon
- Set up a Ship-From Address
- Contact your supplier and begin the shipping process
- Track your merchandise
That’s pretty much the entire process. While it seems simple, mistakes can happen, leading to delays and costing you money.
Best Way to Ship to Amazon FBA
To avoid this, use an experienced Amazon FBA freight forwarder – Ship4wd. We are familiar with Amazon’s prep and packing requirements and know the best ways to ship your products so they’re accepted at Amazon.
Sign up with us to start shipping to Amazon today.
How Does Shipping to Amazon FBA Work?
It’s pretty simple. After setting up your Amazon Seller account and creating a shipping plan, you’ll give your supplier permission to send your products to a designated Amazon fulfillment warehouse.
If the shipments pass Amazon’s screening, they’ll be processed and approved for sale. With Amazon FBA, Amazon handles the fulfillment process for a fee. All you have to do is keep replenishing the inventory so there’s no stockout.
Customers also pay less for shipping, and Amazon handles customer support on your behalf. Your products may win the Amazon Buy Box – a highly sought-after feature that allows faster product orders on the Amazon website.
However, if you want to handle the fulfillment while listing your products on Amazon, check out the Amazon Direct Shipping program.
Amazon FBA vs FBM
Let’s do a quick comparison of both options:
| Features | Amazon Direct Shipping | Amazon FBA Shipping |
| Fulfillment | The seller or supplier sends products directly to customers who ordered from their Amazon listing | Amazon packs and sends products to customers from the merchant’s stock or inventory in their fulfillment centers |
| Inventory Management | Handled by merchant, supplier, or manufacturer | Managed by Amazon. The seller only needs to track it and replenish it when necessary. |
| Cost Implication | Shipping costs are covered by Amazon in the listing fee, while the vendor covers labor, packing, and other logistics costs | Amazon covers all shipping and fulfillment costs for a fee. Usually cheaper overall |
| Eligibility for Perks | None | Products may be eligible for Buy Box, free shipping, and improved visibility, among others |
| Difficulty Level | More difficult as the vendor has to pack, ship, and manually fill customer orders | Easier, since Amazon’s optimized fulfillment process handles product shipping and delivery |
| Errors and Inefficiencies | Vendors can make mistakes if they have large orders | Amazon’s processes improve efficiency and minimize errors |
How to Choose a Shipping Carrier for Amazon FBA
Here are the things to look out for when choosing an ocean or air freight service to ship your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers:
Rates
Compare shipping prices from various providers. If you’re shipping small volumes, a flat pricing structure might be better suited to your needs.
Tracking and visibility
Ensure that they can provide you with 100% shipment tracking so you know where your merchandise is at all times.
Proactive risk management
Disruptions or other issues may arise while your cargo is in transit. Make sure they are proactive about resolving any unforeseen issues.
Reliable customer support
Look for a carrier that provides live customer support so you can always reach an experienced professional whenever you have questions.
Capacity
Consider your inventory and merchandise volume. If you’ll be shipping a lot of cargo, look for a carrier that can accommodate your volume and allocate containers on demand.
Let our experienced freight forwarders at Ship4wd help you choose the best carriers. We can also help you secure fair freight rates, provide 100% shipment tracking, and provide 24/7 customer support.
Sign up with Ship4wd today.
How to Ship to Amazon FBA – Step by Step Process
To ship your merchandise from anywhere in the world to Amazon FBA, here’s a detailed step-by-step process that you need to follow:
1. Sign Up for an Amazon Seller Account
Go to Amazon Seller Central, sign up, and follow the prompts to set up your account.
2. Create a Shipping Plan
Once your account is up and running, it’s time to create a shipping plan. Use the Send Inventory to Amazon FBA guide to do this.
This has clear instructions on how to set up your shipping plan.
3. Create a Product Listing
Hover over Catalog in the main menu, click Add Products, and type in your product ID or GTIN to find your product. If it’s not available in the database, click Create a new Listing.
Enter all your product information, including product ID, SKU information, description, pricing, images, and other relevant data.
4. Click Manage Inventory and Select Fulfill By Amazon
If you added a shipping plan and product listing correctly, your products should be available in your inventory.
Click on Inventory, then Manage All Inventory, and you should see your product. Go to the Edit tab and select Send/Replenish Inventory.
5. Set Up a Ship-From Address
Add your or the supplier’s address.
Ensure it matches the origin address so you don’t pay a fine or have your goods delayed by Amazon.
6. Contact Your Supplier
Have your supplier start the shipping process if you have a FOB incoterm agreement. However, because of Amazon’s strict packing requirements, get an experienced Amazon FBA freight forwarder to inspect the product’s packaging and labeling before shipping.
They’ll check for Fulfillment Network Stock Keeping Unit (FNSKU) labels, scannable ASIN-compliant UPC/EAN barcodes, and other details to ensure that the item is properly prepped and packed according to Amazon’s standards before shipping.
7. Track Your Merchandise
Follow your merchandise’s progress using the provided tracking information until it arrives at Amazon’s warehouse.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship to Amazon FBA?
Depending on your merchandise type, weight, order volume, warehouse location, and more, prices start at $3.06 for less than 2 oz, all the way to $194.95 + $0.19 per pound over 151 lbs.
See the How Much Does FBA Cost section in this Amazon Seller document. Also, for certain merchandise that qualify, there’s an additional Inbound Placement Service fee of $0.21 to $6 per unit. See this Amazon Seller resource for more information.
What is the Cheapest Way to Ship to Amazon FBA?
The Amazon Partner carrier program is usually the cheapest way to ship your products to Amazon FBA. However, there are better alternatives.
For reliable and cost-effective shipping, take advantage of Ship4wd’s trustworthy, guaranteed container allocation, which is available even during high-demand seasons.
The Best Freight Forwarder for Amazon FBA? Ship4wd Has You Covered
Our digital freight forwarding service can make shipping to Amazon FBA easy, fast, and stress-free.
We offer:
- Full-Container Load and Less-Than-Container Load freight forwarding services for ocean shipments
- Air shipments, including expedited delivery options
- Guaranteed container allocation
- Instant quoting and booking
- Full invoicing transparency
- Flexible financing options, including access to a no-collateral credit line
- 100% shipment tracking and visibility
- 24/7 live expert customer support
- Customs clearance solutions
- Cargo insurance and pre-shipment inspection services
These can be managed from one easy-to-use dashboard. Let’s take care of shipping your products to Amazon FBA while you take care of the other aspects of your business. Sign up with us today.
FAQs for Amazon FBA
Here are some common questions that clients have:
‘Pack Single’ is the process of packing a single item into a box at an Amazon fulfillment center.
The packer picks up the item, scans it, puts it in the box, adds cushioning or papers, sticks on the SKU that was generated when they scanned the item, seals the box, and places it on the conveyor belt for onward dispatch.
1 to 5 business days within the US. Outside the US, priority shipping takes 4 to 14 business days (Oceania is 20 days), while standard shipping takes 7 to 30 business days.
To ship from China to Amazon FBA, follow these steps:
- Set up your Amazon Seller Central account and create your FBA shipping plan.
- Work with your supplier to prepare and label your products according to Amazon’s FBA requirements.
- Choose a freight forwarder or shipping method (air, sea, or express courier).
- Ship directly to Amazon’s fulfillment center using the address provided in your shipping plan.
- Track your shipment and ensure customs clearance is handled (usually by your forwarder).
Using a reliable freight forwarder like Ship4wd can simplify the process and ensure compliance with Amazon’s strict standards.
Shipping from Alibaba to Amazon FBA works much the same as from China. Here’s how:
- Find a supplier on Alibaba that supports Amazon FBA (some even offer prep and labeling).
- Share Amazon FBA requirements with the supplier (labels, packaging, etc.).
- Create a shipment plan in Seller Central and get the Amazon warehouse address.
- Arrange shipping via a freight forwarder, Alibaba’s own logistics, or the supplier’s carrier.
- Ensure customs and duties are covered – DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is often the safest option.
Yes, you can – but it’s not recommended unless you’re local.
You can deliver inventory to an Amazon fulfillment center yourself if:
- You’re located in the same country or region as the FBA warehouse.
- You book an appointment in advance through Seller Central.
However, for international shipments or large volumes, it’s more efficient and cost-effective to use a professional freight forwarder or Amazon-partnered carrier. This ensures proper documentation, labeling, and smooth delivery to Amazon’s facilities.
Ready to Ship to Amazon FBA? Let Ship4wd Handle the Rest
Now that you know how to ship to Amazon FBA, get started today. If you need experienced help shipping your goods from anywhere in the world to Amazon’s warehouses and fulfillment centers, we can help.