Summary of this article：Sending items from China to Amazon FBA is more than simply booking a shipping service. You should have a product with the correct labeling, packaging, customs clearance and delivery, and that is all delivered according to Amazon standards.
2 Ways to ship to Amazon FBA
•Directly to an Amazon Fulfillment Center: The optimal method for products that are consistently identically labeled and for which you have a steady vendor or forwarder.
•To a 3PL/Prep Center and then to an Amazon FBA Fulfillment Center: Works for brand new sellers, SKUs that are easily damaged or problematic, and vendors that don't prepare for FBA correctly.
Amazon Global Logistics (AGL)
Shipping Options
•Express: quickest, highest cost. Use this for samples and very fast replenishments of products.
•Air Freight: quicker, has fewer risks associated with delays than oceanic shipping. Good for items with higher margins or those prone to damage.
•Ocean LCL: This is shared containers, which are useful if you don't have enough volume to fill an entire container.
•Ocean FCL: Full container shipment. This is a good choice if you have high-volume items, which are typically good to ship via this method.
Step-by-Step Flow
1. Plan out your FBA plan. Before your production is finished, you should have determined your bar code plan, packaging, carton pack specifications, and delivery to the Amazon FC or individual carton delivery specifications.
2. Generate a shipment plan within Seller Central. Amazon will then create your shipment number and FBA Box ID labels within your plan.
3. Label everything correctly. All cartons must have both an FBA Box ID label and a carrier label. However, Amazon will begin changing its barcode requirements on March 31, 2026.
4. Book your shipment and export. Your commercial invoice, packing list, and carton data should be sent to your freight forwarder, along with delivery instructions for the Amazon FC.
5. Clear customs. This process involves sending your commercial invoice, packing list, airway bill/bill of lading. For US Ocean exports, you'll need to file an ISF within at least 24 hours before the ship has loaded.
6. Schedule your delivery appointment. Your shipment will likely be turned away if you don't have an Amazon FC delivery appointment.
Individual Carton or Pallet Requirements
•LTL/FTL/FCL: Your pallet needs to be on a GMA Standard B grade pallet or better. There are 4 labels required per pallet.
•SPD: Each carton must have its own Amazon Box ID label as well as the appropriate carrier label.
Factors Contributing to the Shipment Cost
CBM/Dimensional weight: These can impact your cost based on the space your shipment takes up.
Amazon FC delivery appointment fees and other Amazon FC delivery costs.
The cost of any rework is needed for incorrectly labelled products.
The expenses related to inventory being distributed among multiple Amazon FCs.
Most Frequent Mistakes
•No correct Amazon carton label on the carton.
•A carrier label but no Amazon Box ID label on the carton.
•The wrong amount or number of pallet labels.
•Missing the ISF filing deadline for US ocean exports (24 hours before shipment loading).
•Forgetting to schedule an Amazon FC delivery appointment.
Conclusion
View your shipment from China to Amazon FBA as one integrated system: plan and label, prepare and book, clear customs, and finally check in to the Amazon FC seamlessly.
