Shipping from a Chinese factory to an Amazon FBA warehouse has more steps than most sellers expect. You are not just booking a courier. You are coordinating a supplier, export clearance, ocean or air freight, import clearance, tax, Amazon labels, and a delivery appointment. One missed label or wrong address can turn a cheap shipment into an expensive problem.
This guide explains how to arrange shipping from China to Amazon FBA in the order that matters. It is written for overseas buyers and small businesses that do not have a team in China and need to avoid common mistakes.
Start with Amazon, not the freight quote
Before you ask a forwarder for a price, log into Seller Central and create the FBA shipment plan. Amazon will tell you which warehouse to send to, what labels are needed, and whether the shipment can be split. If you ship first and create the plan later, you may send goods to the wrong place or miss the required labels.
Check these items early:
- Product restrictions for your category and marketplace
- FNSKU requirements and whether you can use the manufacturer barcode
- Box weight and size limits
- Pallet specs for the destination country
- Battery, liquid, powder, or food rules if they apply
Amazon rules change. Always download the current FBA prep and packaging guide for the marketplace you are sending to. A supplier in China may not know Amazon's latest rules, so do not assume the factory will handle this correctly.
Choose the right transport mode
There is no single best way to ship. The right mode depends on volume, weight, urgency, and cash flow.
| Mode | Typical door-to-door time | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea LCL | 25-40 days | 1-15 CBM, low urgency | Higher per CBM, consolidation delays |
| Sea FCL | 20-35 days | 15+ CBM, heavy goods | Full container cost, port fees |
| Air freight | 7-12 days | 100-500 kg, launch stock | Volumetric weight, higher cost |
| Express | 3-7 days | Samples, small urgent batches | Size and weight limits, duties |
For a first shipment, many sellers use air or express for a small batch to test demand, then move to sea once the product sells. If your product is bulky or heavy, sea freight almost always wins on cost. If you run out of stock, air freight can save the listing, but it will eat your margin.
Ask for quotes based on actual volume and weight. A forwarder that only asks for the number of cartons is not giving you a real price.
Prepare goods and labels in China
The factory can produce the product, but it may not know how to prepare it for FBA. You need an inspection and a label check before the goods leave China.
Key steps:
- Book a pre-shipment inspection. Check quantity, function, accessories, and packaging.
- Apply FNSKU labels to each unit. Cover any original barcode that could be scanned by mistake.
- Print box labels with the FBA shipment ID, box number, and any required warnings.
- Use strong cartons. Ocean transit involves stacking and moisture.
- Follow Amazon rules for poly bags, suffocation warnings, and sets.
- If you send pallets, use the correct pallet size and height for the destination.
A common mistake is letting the supplier use the product barcode instead of the FNSKU. If that happens, Amazon may commingle your inventory with another seller's stock, or reject the shipment. Fixing labels after the goods arrive in the destination country is expensive.
Choose a freight forwarder that understands FBA
Not every freight forwarder knows Amazon. Some only move goods from port to port. You need a forwarder or agent who can handle the full door-to-door process, including FBA delivery.
Ask these questions before you book:
- Can you receive goods at your China warehouse and consolidate multiple suppliers?
- Do you offer DDP, DDU, or standard customs clearance?
- Who is the importer of record?
- Do you book the Amazon delivery appointment?
- What happens if customs holds the shipment?
- Can you deliver to a third-party warehouse if Amazon rejects the goods?
- What are all the fees, including customs bond, ISF, duty, unloading, and waiting time?
A low price per kilogram often means missing fees. The cheapest quote can become the most expensive after customs delays or re-delivery. Ask for an all-in quote with a clear list of what is not included.
Understand customs and import taxes
Customs is where many shipments fail. Amazon does not clear customs for you. You or your forwarder must do it correctly.
Rules depend on the destination:
- United States: You usually need an EIN, a customs bond, and an ISF filing. The importer of record is responsible for duty and compliance.
- European Union: You need a VAT number and EORI. Import VAT and duty apply. Some marketplaces have specific rules for FBA sellers.
- United Kingdom: You need a VAT number and EORI for imports.
- Canada: You need a business number and may need GST registration.
- Japan: You need an importer of record and may need a JCT number.
DDP shipping is common from China to FBA. It means the forwarder handles duty and delivery. It can be simple, but you should know who is listed as the importer. If the forwarder uses their own importer number, you may not have a clean customs record for your business. That can cause problems later with tax authorities or Amazon verification.
Do not undervalue the goods. Customs can audit, seize, or fine. Amazon may also ask for invoices and customs documents if there is an issue.
Get the goods to the right Amazon warehouse
Amazon often splits one shipment into multiple warehouses. You can use Inventory Placement Service to send to fewer locations, but Amazon charges a fee. Another option is to send goods to a third-party prep center or overseas warehouse, then let them distribute to Amazon. This is useful if you have several suppliers or want to control split shipments.
For LTL and FTL deliveries, Amazon usually requires an appointment. The forwarder or trucking company must book it. If the truck arrives late or without an appointment, Amazon may refuse the delivery and charge a fee. Missed appointments also create storage and re-delivery costs.
Check the delivery address and appointment details twice. Amazon warehouses can be close to each other, and a wrong address can add days.
Track, document, and plan for problems
Keep a folder for every shipment. You will need these documents if something goes wrong:
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Arrival notice
- Customs entry and duty payment proof
- Delivery receipt and Amazon receipt confirmation
Track the shipment from factory pickup to port, vessel departure, customs clearance, and final delivery. After Amazon receives the goods, reconcile the units. If there is a shortage or damage, you have a limited window to file a claim. Good documents make the difference.
Always have a Plan B. If Amazon rejects the shipment or the warehouse is full, you need a third-party warehouse address where the goods can be re-labeled and sent again.
A realistic timeline
| Stage | Time | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Production and inspection | 1-3 weeks | Supplier and inspection team |
| Labeling and packing | 2-5 days | Supplier or prep center |
| Booking and pickup | 2-5 days | Forwarder |
| Sea transit | 20-35 days | Shipping line |
| Customs clearance | 1-5 days | Importer or forwarder |
| Amazon delivery | 2-7 days | Forwarder or trucking company |
Air and express shipments move faster, but they still need labels, customs documents, and a delivery plan. Do not book production at the last minute if you have a launch date.
Common mistakes that cost money
- Shipping before creating the FBA shipment plan
- Missing or wrong FNSKU labels
- Using the factory carton barcode instead of the FBA box label
- Ignoring Amazon split shipments
- Choosing a forwarder only on the lowest price
- Skipping pre-shipment inspection
- No backup warehouse for rejected goods
- Missing customs documents or using a borrowed importer number
- Declaring a low value to reduce duty
- Weak packaging that fails in ocean transit
Most of these problems are avoidable with one extra check before the goods leave China. That check is cheaper than fixing the problem in the destination country.
How to make the process easier from overseas
You do not need to speak Chinese to source and ship from China, but you do need someone who can talk to the factory, check the goods, and follow up when problems appear. A local team can visit the supplier, arrange inspection, consolidate cartons from different factories, review FBA labels, and book freight that actually delivers to Amazon.
Start with a small trial shipment. Test the supplier, the forwarder, and the FBA process before you commit to a full container. Keep your own records and stay involved in the shipment plan. The more you understand each step, the less likely you are to pay for someone else's mistake.
If you need a local team in China to check suppliers, inspect goods, and coordinate FBA shipping, Globesino can handle that for overseas buyers and small businesses.