Before you ship to Amazon, you must decide which method of delivery you need. If you are shipping by LTL service, you should know that you can only ship goods within certain boundaries. However, if you want to ship goods to Amazon in bulk, you must opt for direct shipping. Air freight, LTL service, and third-party logistics companies are the three main options. Each method of shipping has its own pros and cons.
Direct shipping
As an Amazon seller, you might want to consider shipping your products directly to the FBA warehouses from China. This is the most cost-effective method of importation, as you don’t have to pay for domestic shipping. But this method comes with its own drawbacks. Amazon will likely reject your product, if it isn’t prepared for Amazon’s standards. It also takes a lot longer to arrive at the warehouses.
For starters, you have to pack your items according to Amazon’s standards. For example, you must use carton boxes for items that are fragile, and you should avoid packing items in plastic bags. If you cannot pack your products yourself, you can always pay Amazon for this service. In addition, you can also hire a freight forwarder to do the job for you. Amazon also recommends packaging fragile items in carton boxes.
When you choose an Amazon express freight forwarder, make sure you choose one with consolidation capabilities. This way, you can share a container with several other FBA sellers. The service will also guarantee that you fill the container when shipping. Then, your freight forwarder will commission a trucking company to ship your products to your designated Amazon FBA warehouse. And finally, you can trust that the shipping company will follow the requirements set by Amazon.
LTL service
If you’re a new seller on Amazon, you may be wondering how you can start using an LTL service for your express freight needs. The good news is that there are now several options available. Amazon allows you to ship your inventory through various means, including air freight, ocean freight, and ground freight. In this article, we’ll discuss some of your options. LTL service allows you to ship smaller quantities without incurring high shipping rates.
Before you begin shipping, you should prepare your shipment for pickup and delivery. You should label each product case with a shipment ID label. This label will tell Amazon how many products you are shipping and that it belongs to your seller account. This label can be generated once you create a shipment in Seller Central. It’s important to make sure your shipment is packaged properly to ensure it arrives safely and on time.
A reputable LTL carrier will not charge you extra for shipping when using its partner carrier network. It’s important to make sure you select a carrier that is an Amazon partner. The Amazon Partnered Carrier Program provides discounted shipping rates for shipments to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. It allows you to choose the carrier you want and enjoy lower shipping costs than if you used your own truck. You’ll also benefit from a program known as In-Stock Head Start, which makes inventory available for sale before it checks into a fulfillment center.
Air freight
When shipping your products to Amazon FBA, you can select either sea freight or air freight. While air freight is faster, the cost is higher. Before COVID, air express costs ranged from $4 to $6 per kilogram. Since then, these costs have increased by more than 100%. You should compare these two shipping options to determine which is best for you. Listed below are the benefits of each. Read on to learn more.
First time users should ship their first shipment from a supplier in the US. They should consider the costs involved in shipping from China to their fulfillment center. This way, they will avoid paying extra fees to send the shipment back to the Chinese manufactory. Second-time users should choose air freight if they need to ship a small package. The cost of shipping from China is often lower than air freight. For this reason, air freight is the preferred shipping option.
When shipping to Amazon, make sure that the products meet their HS code and are properly labeled. Amazon is very strict about these specifications, and if these requirements are not followed, your shipment may be rejected. Finally, it is vital that your product arrive at its destination in one piece. If you miss this step, you risk losing a sale. If you are not sure how to do it, you can check the Amazon Seller Central resource page.
Third-party logistics
While Amazon FBA can lower shipping costs and improve shipping speed, it can also reduce the control sellers have over the quality of their products. Since Amazon FBA packages and ships products in its own branded boxes, it may also lower the overall impression the brand makes for customers. Regardless of the choice, it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each. The following are three key reasons to consider using a third-party logistics service for your Amazon FBA shipping needs.
First, you’ll need a shipping plan. Creating an Amazon FBA shipping plan requires you to determine your own shipping strategy and identify your own products’ packaging needs. Often, this requires identifying specific product attributes. For example, you’ll want to ensure that your packaging is as secure as possible. A third-party logistics provider can help you streamline this process and ensure that your products are properly labeled and shipped.
Second, third-party logistics companies can save you money. Some of these companies are designed to work with Amazon, so they’ll never squeeze your business. Unlike traditional shipping providers, they’ll make a profit by warehousing and distributing products for a variety of companies. They’ll even pick up your products from your staging warehouse, which means you don’t need to pay any extra delivery fees. Finally, third-party logistics providers can help you with your shipping needs and keep your customers happy.
Customs and tariffs
Import regulations, customs duties, and other costs for Amazon FBA express freight are entirely the responsibility of the shipper. Whether you choose to ship to an Amazon FBA warehouse in a US port or an international one, you are responsible for following all relevant US and international shipping regulations and fees. To avoid any surprises, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), the government data base that indicates duties, taxes, and other fees for imported items.
Typically, Amazon instructs sellers where to send products, although if they choose to send their products directly to retail, they will get cheaper carrier rates. While this option will allow you to control quality, it can also leave you with the burden of examining your products yourself. Additionally, you will have no control over the quality of your product since it will be stored in a third-party warehouse.
When choosing an express courier service, consider all aspects of compliance. If you are shipping a low-value order, Amazon will ship the goods via express courier. In case the shipment is a larger one, you will need to coordinate with a third party, such as AEB Logistics or UPS. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of complying with regulations, it’s better to ship low-value goods yourself. However, be sure to carefully review the policies of your chosen carrier and make sure they meet all requirements.
Getting quotes
When getting quotes for Amazon FBA express freight, it is important to keep in mind that the carrier you choose must be approved by Amazon. Often, express shipping can be cheaper, but it also has more restrictions. For instance, you can’t send liquids, batteries, or powder products through express shipping. In order to ship these items by air, sea, or train, you must have a minimum weight of 21kg.
The best way to avoid paying more than you need to is to ship your items with a freight forwarder. Usually, they will ship your products from a Chinese warehouse or port of loading closest to your supplier. However, many Amazon sellers say that direct shipping from Alibaba to Amazon FBA has a lot of risks. Sometimes, suppliers won’t package their products properly or send damaged goods. If this happens, your Amazon ranking will suffer.
You must remember that Amazon FBA express freight requires that your items be palletized or floor-loaded. Because Amazon is one of the largest retailers in the world, they have incredibly specific requirements. If you ship directly to an Amazon fulfillment center, you could risk your products being rejected. This would cost you time and money. If you choose to ship through a distributor, make sure to get quotes from as many as possible.