Shipping from China to Amazon FBA: A Practical Workflow for Sellers

Quick answer: An FBA shipment needs a valid Seller Central shipping plan, correct preparation, a workable import arrangement and delivery that follows the assigned fulfillment center instructions.

Start with the current shipping plan

Create and review the shipment in Seller Central for the destination marketplace. Use the assigned destination and current label files. Avoid booking against an old warehouse address or a plan that may still change.

Confirm product eligibility and preparation requirements before collecting inventory. A successful transport booking does not establish that the product is eligible for sale or receiving.

Prepare product and carton data

Collect SKU information, units per carton, package counts, final dimensions and gross weights. Check the current rules applicable to each product and shipment. Keep product identification separate from carton and carrier labels.

If several factories supply one shipment, reconcile received goods against the shipping plan before consolidation. Record discrepancies before the inventory leaves China.

Choose express, air or sea

Use the required delivery window, replenishment quantity, volume and handling needs to compare modes. Express and air may suit an urgent quantity; sea may suit planned replenishment. A split shipment can be reviewed when only part of the stock is urgent.

Compare the complete origin-to-fulfillment-center scope. International arrival, carrier delivery and Amazon inventory availability are separate milestones.

Set up the importer and customs process

Amazon states that it will not act as importer of record for FBA inventory. Agree a lawful importer arrangement and coordinate the required customs information before dispatch.

This does not make a DDP sale the only possible arrangement. Select the trade term and broker setup that work for the seller, importer and destination, and ensure import charges are resolved before delivery.

Arrange delivery to the assigned destination

Follow the current shipping-plan instructions for parcel, pallet or truck delivery. Confirm the booking reference, labels and appointment requirements that apply to the selected delivery method.

Keep proof of delivery and carton records. Delivery to a fulfillment center does not mean all units are immediately checked in or available for sale.

How Senhu supports the origin workflow

Senhu coordinates supplier pickup, consolidation, China export arrangements and the agreed international service. Share the shipping plan, packing details, ready date and destination so that the transport and receiving instructions can be reviewed together.

Use the separate preparation, cost and mode-comparison guides below for the next decision, rather than several competing versions of the same overview.

Reference information

• Amazon: importing and exporting FBA inventory

Related shipping guides

• FBA shipping costs and quote scope
• Air versus sea for FBA replenishment
• DDP responsibilities