Shipping to Amazon FBA from China as a small seller
Amazon FBA · Updated
Amazon FBA sellers importing small batches from China face two layers at once: US customs and Amazon's own intake rules. Getting either wrong stalls your inventory.
Here is how small-seller FBA freight from China actually works.
Customs comes first, Amazon second
Your goods clear US customs as a normal import: commercial invoice, HS code, duty, and a customs entry. Amazon is not the importer of record and will not clear customs for you. Only after the goods are cleared can they go to an FBA warehouse.
FBA prep and labeling
Amazon has strict intake requirements. Each unit needs an FNSKU label, cartons need shipment labels, and there are rules on box weight, poly bagging, and packaging. Shipments that arrive non-compliant get refused or charged prep fees.
- FNSKU labels on each sellable unit.
- Carton and shipment labels generated from your Amazon shipping plan.
- Box weight and dimension limits respected.
Why direct-to-warehouse is rarely simple
Suppliers in China can apply FNSKU labels, but they cannot create your Amazon shipment plan or guarantee compliance, and customs clearance still has to happen on US soil. Many small sellers route through a US prep step where the freight forwarder or a prep center clears customs, checks labeling, and forwards compliant cartons to FBA.
For a small load, bundling freight, customs, and the handoff to FBA into one managed flow is usually simpler and cheaper than coordinating three vendors yourself.
FAQ
Can I ship straight from my China supplier to an Amazon FBA warehouse?
Not directly in most cases. The goods must clear US customs first (Amazon is not your importer of record), and they must meet Amazon's labeling and packaging rules. Many small sellers route through a US prep step that clears customs and checks compliance before forwarding to FBA.
Who handles customs for an FBA shipment from China?
You do, as the importer of record, usually through a customs broker. Amazon does not clear customs. A forwarder that includes brokerage handles the entry and duty so the cleared goods can move on to FBA.
What labeling does Amazon require?
Each sellable unit needs an FNSKU label, and cartons need shipment labels generated from your Amazon shipping plan. There are also rules on box weight, dimensions, and packaging. Non-compliant shipments can be refused or charged prep fees.
Shipping a small load from China?
Get one all-in quote: freight, customs, and delivery handled.
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