1、 Definition
The first leg of Amazon FBA refers to the transportation process of goods from the shipping location to Amazon warehouses. It is an important part of using Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) services.
2、 Transportation mode
air transport
Features: Fast transportation speed, suitable for emergency replenishment or high-value, lightweight goods. For example, some fashion products with high requirements for launch time can choose air freight.
Cost: relatively high, mainly including air freight, fuel surcharges, etc.
ocean shipping
Characteristics: Low cost, suitable for transporting large quantities, large volumes, heavy weights, and less sensitive to transportation time of goods. For example, some furniture products or large-scale daily necessities.
Costs: mainly including ocean freight, terminal operation fees, document fees, etc. Sea freight is divided into full container shipping and consolidation shipping. Consolidation shipping is suitable for sellers with small cargo volumes and can share a container with other sellers to reduce costs.
express
Features: Fast speed, door-to-door service, easy operation. For small items or samples that require quick delivery to Amazon warehouses, express delivery can be chosen.
Cost: Charged by weight and volume, the cost is relatively high, but it can provide full tracking and fast transportation time.
3、 Process
Product preparation
Ensure that the product meets Amazon's warehousing requirements, such as intact packaging and correct labeling.
Perform necessary preprocessing on the product, such as labeling, packaging, etc.
Choose a freight forwarding company
Choose a reliable freight forwarding company based on your own needs and the characteristics of the goods. It can be evaluated from the qualifications, experience, service quality, price, and other aspects of the freight forwarding company.
Ship to the freight forwarder's warehouse
Send the prepared goods to the designated warehouse according to the requirements of the freight forwarding company.
When shipping, pay attention to the packaging and transportation safety of the goods, and keep the relevant shipping documents.
Freight forwarder operation
After receiving the goods, the freight forwarding company will carry out a series of operations, such as checking the quantity of the goods, inspecting the packaging of the goods, and attaching Amazon FBA labels.
According to the transportation method chosen by the customer, the freight forwarding company arranges the transportation of goods, including booking (sea freight, air freight), customs clearance and other related matters.
Customs clearance
After the goods arrive at the destination port, customs clearance procedures are required. Freight forwarding companies or sellers themselves (if they have relevant qualifications) need to prepare the necessary documents for customs clearance, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, etc.
During the customs clearance process, there may be inspection and other situations that require timely cooperation with customs requirements for handling.
Warehouse entry
After customs clearance is completed, the goods will be shipped to Amazon warehouses.
Amazon warehouses will perform operations such as receiving, inspecting, and shelving goods, and sellers can check the progress and inventory status of goods in the Amazon seller backend.
4、 Precautions
Goods packaging
Ensure that the packaging of the goods is sturdy enough to prevent damage during transportation. Especially for fragile items, special packaging measures need to be taken.
Pay attention to the limitations of packaging size and weight to avoid additional costs or storage issues due to exceeding Amazon's requirements.
Tags and Files
Ensure that product labels are clear, accurate, and comply with Amazon's regulations. Any label error may result in the goods being unable to be stored or misplaced.
Prepare all relevant transportation documents, such as invoices, packing lists, etc., to ensure that the information in the documents matches the actual situation of the goods.
Transportation insurance
Consider purchasing transportation insurance to reduce the risk of loss or damage to goods during transportation.
Freight forwarder selection
Don't just choose a freight forwarding company based on price, consider the reputation, experience, and service quality of the freight forwarder comprehensively. You can refer to the reviews and recommendations of other sellers.
Customs clearance compliance
Understand the customs clearance policies and regulations of the destination country to ensure that the goods meet the relevant requirements. Provide accurate and complete customs clearance documents in a timely manner to avoid delays or seizures of goods due to customs clearance issues.