Step 2: Find a Reliable Freight Forwarder (Who Knows FBA)

Not all freight forwarders are the same — and not all understand Amazon's FBA requirements. A good FBA freight forwarder handles more than just transportation. They will:

• Provide FBA-compliant labeling services (FNSKU labels, carton labels, pallet labels)
• Offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping — so you know your total cost upfront, with no surprise fees at customs
• Handle customs clearance on both ends (China export + destination import)
• Provide real-time shipment tracking from factory to Amazon warehouse
• Advise on Amazon's constantly updating FBA requirements (carton weight limits, packaging standards)
• Offer warehouse services — receiving, inspection, consolidation, and storage before shipping

Key questions to ask before choosing a forwarder:

• How many FBA shipments do you handle per month?
• What's your customs clearance success rate? (Look for 99%+)
• Do you offer DDP shipping? What's included and what's not?
• Can you provide references from other Amazon sellers?
• What happens if my shipment is rejected by Amazon?

Step 3: Prepare Your Products — FBA Labeling & Packaging

Amazon has strict packaging and labeling requirements. Getting this wrong is the #1 reason shipments get rejected at the warehouse. Here's what you need to know:

FBA Labeling Requirements

• FNSKU labels: Every unit must have a scannable FNSKU barcode. You can print these from your Amazon Seller Central shipping plan.
• Carton labels: Each outer carton must have an Amazon shipment label, generated when you create your shipping plan.
• Pallet labels: If shipping on pallets (required for LTL and FCL), each pallet needs four pallet labels — one on each side.

Packaging Requirements

• Cartons must not exceed 50 lbs (22.6 kg) unless they contain a single oversized item.
• Cartons labeled "Team Lift" (over 50 lbs) need special marking.
• Use rigid, six-sided boxes — no defective or crushed cartons.
• Use sufficient dunnage (bubble wrap, air pillows, kraft paper) — products must not shift inside the box.
• Poly bags with openings over 5 inches must have a suffocation warning.

Step 4: Create Your Amazon Shipping Plan

Log into Amazon Seller Central and navigate to Inventory → Manage FBA Shipments. Click "Send to Amazon" and follow these steps:

1. Select the SKUs you're shipping and the quantity per SKU.
2. Choose your packing type: Individual products (one SKU per carton) or case-packed (same SKU and quantity per carton).
3. Enter shipment details: Carton dimensions, weight, and quantity.
4. Select your shipping mode: Small Parcel Delivery (SPD) for express/courier or Less Than Truckload (LTL) for larger shipments.
5. Choose your carrier: You can use Amazon's partnered carrier or select "Other" to use your own freight forwarder.
6. Print your labels: Amazon generates FBA carton labels — these must be affixed to every carton.

Important: Amazon will assign a specific fulfillment center (like ONT8, LGB8, FTW1) — you don't get to choose. Your freight forwarder needs to ship to whichever warehouse Amazon designates.

Step 5: Book Your Shipment & Prepare Documents

Once your shipping plan is created and your goods are ready, your freight forwarder will book the shipment. The documents you'll need depend on the shipping method and destination, but here's a standard checklist:

• Commercial Invoice — Describes the goods, their value, and the buyer/seller details.
• Packing List — Lists every carton, its contents, dimensions, and weight.
• Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB) — The transport document issued by the carrier.
• ISF Filing (US only) — Importer Security Filing, must be filed at least 24 hours before cargo is loaded onto the vessel. Your freight forwarder typically handles this.
• FBA Shipment Labels — The labels generated from your Amazon shipping plan.

Step 6: Customs Clearance

Customs clearance is where many first-time importers hit trouble. The good news: if you're using a freight forwarder with DDP service, they handle everything.

Under DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), your forwarder manages both China export clearance and destination country import clearance, including paying duties and taxes on your behalf. You get a single all-in price and don't need to deal with customs brokers yourself.

Key customs requirements to be aware of:

• Your products must have the correct HS Code (Harmonized System code) for tariff classification.
• US Customs requires a Customs Bond for shipments valued over $2,500.
• Certain products (electronics, toys, batteries, cosmetics) require additional certifications — FCC, CPSIA, FDA, MSDS.
• ISF must be filed accurately and on time — late or incorrect filings can result in $5,000+ fines.