Shipping from China to Amazon FBA by sea is a slow option, but it is also the cheapest way to ship goods.
Amazon FBA sea shipping provides two modes: shipping + express delivery, shipping + truck transportation, FBA inventory management (automated inventory management, prompting the best replenishment time).
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) means that the seller sends the inventory of products sold on Amazon directly to the warehouse in Amazon’s local market. After the customer places an order, Amazon provides picking and packaging, delivery, collection, customer service, and return processing. One-stop logistics service, at the same time, will also charge a certain fee.
1. Amazon FBA sea shipping + Express: Supports double customs clearance and tax package. After the goods arrive at the port for customs clearance and release, the goods will be delivered to the Amazon warehouse by express.
2. Amazon FBA sea shipping + truck transport: double customs clearance does not include tax, and the tariff is paid according to the tax bill. After the goods arrive at the port for customs clearance and release, they will be transported to the destination by train, and then delivered by truck to the corresponding Amazon warehouse.
Amazon FBA sea shipping process
Loading: Choose a local freight forwarding company that can pick up the goods for free, which can save a delivery fee. Packing should be done in advance before packing, and the number of pieces, weight, squares, and boards must be determined before packing, so as to avoid the difference between the freight forwarding company and its own measurement, and prepare the packing list. Then make an appointment with the freight forwarding company to pick up the goods.
Customs declaration: Customs declaration is divided into tax refund declaration and payment declaration. Only enterprises with import and export rights and companies that have signed paperless customs declaration at the electronic port can apply for tax refund declaration.
Customs clearance: It is a key step in Amazon FBA sea shipping that cannot be ignored, and it depends on whether your goods can reach FBA smoothly. The seller needs to find a freight forwarding company with strong customs clearance ability and a special customs clearance team overseas, and a company that does not accept contraband casually.
Shanghai Xiongda International Logistics is such a freight forwarding company, which only carries general cargo and does not accept sensitive or dangerous cargo to ensure customs clearance efficiency.
Amazon FBA sea shipping: LCL/FCL
If you are shipping less than a container load (LCL), it may be worth considering sending a full container load (FCL).
This is because every shipment has a tipping point where sending less than a container load (LCL) can become more expensive than FCL, and scaling can actually lower your unit cost.
You can tell if your shipment is reaching a breaking point by the number of cartons you are sending. If it’s enough to fill about 50-65% of a 20ft container (12-15 cartons), you could end up paying the same price as a full container…or more!
Additionally, 40ft containers are typically only 20-25% more expensive than 20ft containers and are twice as bulky.