How do you ship from China to Amazon FBA? Shipping directly to Amazon FBA from China works like any other import, with three extra rules: every unit and carton must carry Amazon’s labels, the cartons must meet Amazon’s size and weight limits, and someone other than Amazon must clear US customs and pay the duty. Below is the full process step by step, what an Amazon freight forwarder in China handles for you, and the checks that keep a shipment from being refused or charged extra.
Key points
• Since 1 January 2026, Amazon no longer preps or labels products for FBA in the US, so labels and packaging must be done before the goods arrive, usually in China.
• Amazon will not act as importer of record. You, your supplier or your forwarder must clear US customs, which is why most FBA sellers ship DDP.
• Keep cartons under 50 lb (22.7 kg) unless a single item is heavier, and put a box ID label on every carton.
• By sea, plan about 30–45 days from a ready order to stock that is live in Amazon.
• Create the shipment in Send to Amazon only when final carton counts, weights and sizes are known.
The short answer: which way to ship
| Option | Door to FBA | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sea FCL direct to Amazon | About 30–45 days | A full container going to one or two fulfilment centres |
| Sea LCL, delivered by truck | About 35–50 days | A few pallets, regular restocks |
| Sea to a US warehouse, then to Amazon | Sea time plus a few days per transfer | Large orders you want to send to Amazon in smaller batches |
| Luftfracht | About 8–14 days | Launches and stock-outs, from about 100 kg |
| Express courier | About 5–10 days | Samples and a few urgent cartons |
Times include the delivery appointment and typical receiving at Amazon, which take longer in peak season. For a detailed breakdown of the sea and air legs, see how long shipping from China to the USA takes.
What changed for FBA sellers in 2026
- No more Amazon prep in the US. Since 1 January 2026, Amazon no longer offers FBA prep and item labelling in the US (Canada followed on 1 July 2026). Units that arrive without the right labels or packaging can be refused, and damaged items may not be reimbursed. The work now has to be done by your supplier or your forwarder before shipping. See our FBA prep service in China.
- Inbound placement fees. When you create a shipment, Amazon offers placement options. Sending to one location costs a fee per unit; letting Amazon split the shipment across several fulfilment centres is cheaper or free, but means more deliveries. Your freight quote should match the option you choose.
- Tariffs and no de minimis. Goods from China pay their normal duty plus additional tariffs, and even small parcels are no longer duty free. See our 2026 US tariff guide.
How to ship from China to Amazon FBA, step by step
- Confirm the packing with your supplier. Agree units per carton, carton size and weight before production ends. Cartons should stay under 50 lb (22.7 kg) and within Amazon’s current size limits.
- Create the shipment in Send to Amazon. Enter the final carton count, weights and dimensions, choose a placement option, and note the shipment IDs and fulfilment centre (FC) codes Amazon gives you.
- Print the labels. Each unit needs its FNSKU barcode (unless it qualifies for manufacturer barcodes), and each carton needs its own FBA box ID label. Send the PDFs to your supplier or to us.
- Pickup and check in China. We collect from each supplier, count the cartons, check labels and weights against the shipment, and send you photos. Labels can be applied in our Dongguan warehouse if the supplier cannot do it.
- Export, freight and US customs. We declare the export in China, book the sailing or flight, file the ISF for sea freight and arrange US customs clearance through our partner customs broker. Under DDP, duties and tariffs are included in our price.
- Delivery appointment. We book the appointment at each FC and deliver by truck. In busy months, appointments can be several days to two weeks out.
- Receiving. Amazon scans the cartons and makes the stock available. Receiving can take a few days, and two to three weeks in peak season.
What to send your forwarder before pickup
| Document or detail | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Shipment ID and FC code for each shipment | To route and label cartons for the right fulfilment centre |
| FBA box ID labels (PDF) | One per carton, matching the shipment |
| FNSKU labels (PDF), if units are not labelled yet | So units can be labelled in China |
| Carton count, sizes and weights per SKU | To check against what you entered in Send to Amazon |
| Commercial invoice and packing list | For export and US customs, with real values |
| Product description and HS code | To check duty, tariffs and any FDA, FCC or CPSC rules |
| Supplier contacts and ready dates | To plan pickups and consolidation |
What Shipping to Amazon FBA Costs
An FBA shipment from China has the same freight costs as any import, plus a few Amazon-specific items:
| Cost | Typical level (November 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sea LCL to the US West Coast | about $120–150 per CBM | Main freight; destination and delivery charges extra unless DDP |
| Sea FCL, 40ft to the US West Coast | about $7,600–8,500 | Best when a full container goes to one or two FCs |
| Luftfracht | about $6.8–8.5 per kg | Chargeable weight; for launches and stock-outs |
| Express | about $12–16 per kg | Door to door, for samples and a few cartons |
| Labelling and prep in China | Quoted per job | FNSKU and box labels, bagging, carton checks |
| US duties and tariffs | By HS code and value | Included under DDP; see US tariffs |
| Amazon inbound placement fee | Set by Amazon | Depends on the placement option you choose |
| Delivery appointment and trucking to the FC | Included in door-to-door or DDP quotes | Waiting time or redelivery may be extra |
For the full picture, see shipping cost from China to the USA.
Direct to Amazon, or via a US warehouse?
Direct to Amazon is the simplest and cheapest when the full shipment is going to one or two fulfilment centres and your cartons are ready to sell. There is no extra handling in the US.
Via a US warehouse (a third-party warehouse or Amazon Warehousing and Distribution) makes sense when you ship a large order but want to send it to FBA in smaller batches, when Amazon’s capacity limits are tight, or when Amazon splits your shipment across many FCs. You pay for storage and an extra delivery, but you avoid long-term storage fees and stock-outs.
Many sellers combine both: the main order by sea to a US warehouse, and a first batch by air or sea direct to Amazon to start selling.
Common mistakes that delay FBA shipments
- Labels on the wrong place: box ID labels on seams or corners, or covered by tape, cannot be scanned.
- Carton data that does not match: weights or counts that differ from Send to Amazon cause receiving problems and can lead to fees.
- Overweight cartons: cartons over 50 lb with several items inside can be refused.
- Old box labels reused: every new shipment needs new labels.
- No importer of record: Amazon will not clear customs for you. Without DDP or your own customs broker and bond, the goods stop at the port.
- Booking too late for peak: Amazon publishes arrival deadlines for the holiday season, usually in late October. Count back sea time, appointment time and receiving time.
Checklist Before Your FBA Shipment Leaves China
- Shipment created in Send to Amazon with final carton counts, weights and sizes.
- FNSKU labels on every unit (or eligible manufacturer barcodes).
- A new FBA box ID label on each carton, on a flat side, not over seams.
- Cartons under 50 lb (22.7 kg) unless a single item is heavier.
- Commercial invoice and packing list with real values and HS codes.
- Importer of record and customs bond arranged, or DDP confirmed.
- Shipment IDs and FC codes sent to the forwarder.
- Delivery appointment plan, and a buffer for peak-season receiving.
How DDP works for Amazon FBA
With DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), your forwarder acts as or arranges the importer of record, pays the duty and tariffs and delivers to the FC. You get one price per kilogram or per cubic metre, delivered to Amazon. Ask what is included: customs bond, ISF, tariffs, delivery appointment and any waiting time. Our guide to DDP vs DAP vs EXW explains who pays what.
Send us your shipment IDs, FC codes and carton list, and we will quote sea, air or express DDP to Amazon. Get an FBA shipping quote, or read more about our Amazon FBA shipping service.
Frequently asked questions
Can Amazon be the importer of record?
No. Amazon will not act as importer of record or pay duties. You, your supplier or a forwarder must clear customs. Under DDP, the forwarder arranges this for you.
Can I ship directly from my factory in China to Amazon?
Yes, if the supplier labels and packs to Amazon’s rules. A forwarder in China checks the cartons and labels before export, which avoids paying freight on a shipment Amazon may refuse.
Do I still need FNSKU labels on every unit?
In most cases, yes. Only eligible products can use manufacturer barcodes. Since Amazon stopped its US labelling service in 2026, units must be labelled before they arrive.
How long does sea freight from China to Amazon FBA take?
About 30–45 days from a ready order to a US fulfilment centre, including the delivery appointment. Air freight takes about 8–14 days.
What is the maximum carton weight for Amazon FBA?
50 lb (22.7 kg) per carton in the US, unless a single item is heavier. In the UK and EU the limit is 23 kg (see shipping to Amazon FBA UK and Canada).
How much does it cost to ship from China to Amazon FBA?
It depends on volume and method. In November 2026, sea LCL to the US West Coast is about $120–150 per CBM and air freight about $6.8–8.5 per kg, before duties, labelling and delivery. A DDP quote includes most of these.
Can FBA labels be applied in China?
Yes. If your supplier cannot do it, we can print and apply FNSKU and carton labels at our warehouse before export, and send you photos.
Bought your stock on Alibaba or 1688? See how to ship from Alibaba with your own freight forwarder.
Checked on November 4, 2026, against Amazon Seller Central guidance for the US. Amazon changes its inbound rules and fees often, so check the current requirements in Seller Central before you ship. This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice.
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