When you’re new to Amazon, the idea of “shipping from China to FBA” can sound simple — you pay someone, they move your cartons, and Amazon takes care of the rest.
In reality, though, this process has more moving parts than most new sellers realize. One wrong label, one missing document, or one slow customs clearance can throw off your entire launch schedule.
I’ve spent more than 8 years managing Amazon FBA shipments at DFH Logistics, helping sellers of every size move their products from Chinese factories to Amazon warehouses in the USA, UK, Europe, and beyond.
What follows isn’t theory — it’s the exact process we use every day for our clients. Follow it carefully, and you’ll be able to complete your first FBA shipment step by step, confidently and correctly.
1. First, Understand How the Whole Process Works
Before you book a shipment or create your FBA plan, you need to see the entire picture.
Think of the FBA supply chain like a relay race — every stage has to hand off smoothly to the next one.
Here’s what that looks like in real life:
- Your supplier finishes production and packs the goods.
- Your freight forwarder picks them up or receives them in a warehouse for consolidation.
- Chinese Customs clears the export declaration.
- The goods move by air, sea, rail, truck or express to your destination country.
- Import customs clears them on arrival (tax and duty handled if DDP).
- A truck appointment is booked with Amazon’s warehouse.
- Amazon checks in and scans your cartons.
- You restock according to sales data and start again.
If you understand these eight steps, you’ll never feel lost in the process.
At DFH, we handle all of them under one roof, so our clients don’t have to coordinate five different companies.
2. Pick the Shipping Method That Actually Fits Your Situation
Your first big decision is speed versus cost.
There isn’t one “best” method — only the one that fits your current business stage.
| Shipping Method | Average Transit Time | When to Use | Rough Cost | My Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express (DHL / UPS / FedEx) | 3 – 7 days | Samples or emergency restock < 100 kg | \$8 – 15 /kg | Fastest, but pricey |
| Air Freight DDP | 8 – 12 days | 100 – 500 kg launch stock | \$5 – 8 /kg | Best mix of speed & cost |
| Sea Freight DDP (LCL/FCL) | 25 – 45 days | Bulk > 1 CBM or stable SKU | \$50 – 150 / CBM | Lowest unit cost |
| Rail / Truck (EU only) | 20 – 35 days | EU routes needing stability | \$2.5 – 5 /kg | Reliable alternative |
How I usually explain it:
If you’re shipping your very first batch, use Air DDP — it’s faster and safer while you learn.
Once your product sells steadily, switch most of your volume to Sea DDP to cut cost.
Always ask for DDP quotes — that means all duties and taxes are included, and you won’t get surprise bills later.
Template for Requesting a Quote
Copy this and send it to your forwarder:
“Hi [Name], could you please quote DDP Air and DDP Sea from Shenzhen to Amazon FBA ONT8?
The shipment is [X kg / Y CBM] of [product].
Please include pickup from [supplier address] and delivery to Amazon.
I need an all-inclusive price with customs and taxes prepaid.”
This short message shows you know what you’re asking for — you’ll get accurate prices faster.
You can read more: How to Get Accurate Shipping Quotes
3. Get Your Goods Ready in China (Inspection, Labeling & Packaging)
Amazon’s inbound rules are strict. If your cartons don’t meet the standard, they’ll be refused at the warehouse door.
Here’s what to handle before shipment leaves China:
1️⃣ Inspection
Don’t skip this. Check product quality, quantity, and packaging condition before paying the balance.
At DFH Logistics we do full inspection with photo or video proof, so you see exactly what’s leaving the factory.
2️⃣ Labeling
- Every unit needs an FNSKU label — clean, scannable, not on edges or seams.
- Every carton needs a Box ID (Amazon Shipment ID) label.
- Print at least 300 DPI, size 2.5 × 1 inch.
If your supplier can’t do it, we’ll print and apply them in our Shenzhen warehouse.
3️⃣ Packaging
| Requirement | Amazon Standard |
|---|---|
| Max carton weight | 22.5 kg (50 lb) |
| Max carton size | 63.5 × 51 × 51 cm |
| Poly bags | ≥ 1.5 mil thick + suffocation warning |
| Pallet size (USA) | 40″ × 48″, ≤ 72″ height including pallet |
Use double-wall cartons for fragile items and stretch-wrap the pallets.
A few extra dollars on packaging can save hundreds in damage claims later.
4️⃣ Consolidation
If you buy from multiple suppliers, it’s cheaper and cleaner to consolidate all goods in one Chinese warehouse.
We offer 30 days of free storage for that — we receive, check, label, and pack everything into one shipment to Amazon.
Message your suppliers like this:
“Hi [Supplier Name], please send my cartons to DFH Logistics warehouse in Shenzhen.
They’ll handle labeling and shipping to Amazon FBA for me.
Here’s their contact: [email protected] /[email protected] +86-180-2536-1450.”
That one sentence keeps everyone aligned and avoids back-and-forth confusion.
4. Create Your Amazon FBA Shipping Plan
Now that your goods are packed, you need to tell Amazon they’re coming.
This happens inside your Seller Central account.
Step-by-Step Walk-Through
- Log in → Inventory → Send to Amazon.
- Select the SKUs you’re shipping.
- Enter:
- Units per SKU
- Number of cartons
- Dimensions and weight for each carton
- Amazon assigns warehouse codes (for example ONT8, LAX9, ABE2).
- Download the Box ID labels (PDF).
- Email those label files to your supplier or to DFH Logistics.
- Under “Who arranges the shipment,” select Seller arranged carrier so we can handle the freight.
If Amazon splits your shipment across several warehouses, don’t worry — that’s normal.
We’ll prepare and route each part correctly so everything arrives where it should.
My personal advice:
Create your shipping plan right after production finishes but before booking the freight.
That gives your forwarder time to prepare labels, confirm warehouse codes, and schedule the export without rushing.
5. Handle Export Customs Clearance in China
Every shipment leaving China must go through customs — and this is where many beginners get stuck.
If your supplier doesn’t have an export license, you can’t just ship out from China using their name.
That’s why a licensed freight forwarder like DFH handles this step legally under our export qualification.
What Really Happens
- We collect your goods at our Shenzhen (or Yiwu, Guangzhou, Shanghai) warehouse.
- Our documentation team prepares:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export declaration form
- We submit these to Chinese Customs electronically and get an export release.
Once released, your goods can legally leave the country.
Common New-Seller Mistake
Some suppliers tell beginners, “Don’t worry, we’ll just ship directly.”
If they do that without export rights, your shipment could be detained, and Amazon will never receive it.
It’s safer and faster to let your freight forwarder handle the declaration.
6. Import Customs Clearance and DDP Explained
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is the most beginner-friendly option — everything is included.
You don’t need an importer ID, customs broker, or local tax registration.
How It Works
- We declare your goods at the destination port or airport under DFH’s importer record.
- We prepay duties, taxes, and clearance fees.
- After clearance, the goods are handed to our local delivery partner.
- They book an Amazon appointment and deliver straight to the warehouse.
You’ll only receive one all-inclusive invoice — no surprise fees or calls from customs.
| Destination | Average Transit (Air/Sea) | Typical Duty & Tax (included) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 8 – 35 days | 0 – 5 % duty |
| UK | 10 – 40 days | 2 – 4 % duty + 20 % VAT |
| Germany | 10 – 40 days | 3 – 5 % duty + 19 % VAT |
| Canada | 10 – 35 days | 0 – 6 % duty + GST |
Why DDP Is Ideal for New Sellers
- No need to register as an importer.
- No extra paperwork or surprise tax.
- You can focus on Amazon sales instead of customs forms.
7. Booking the Delivery Appointment with Amazon FBA
Amazon warehouses do not accept walk-in deliveries. Every inbound truck must have a booked appointment.
This step sounds small, but it’s critical.
If the driver arrives without an appointment, Amazon will simply reject the cargo and charge a redelivery fee.
What DFH Does for You
- We log into Amazon Carrier Central using your shipment ID.
- We book the delivery time slot that matches your warehouse’s schedule.
- We provide the trucker with:
- Appointment confirmation
- Shipment reference
- Carton/pallet layout
- After delivery, we send you POD (Proof of Delivery) photos and the Amazon check-in receipt.
What You Should Prepare
Before delivery booking, make sure:
- Your shipment plan is active in Seller Central.
- You’ve shared the Shipment ID and destination warehouse code with your forwarder.
That’s all we need to handle the rest.
8. Track the Shipment and Confirm Amazon Check-In
Don’t just wait — track your shipment like a professional.
Here’s How I Recommend Doing It
- Ask your forwarder for the tracking number or Bill of Lading (B/L).
- For air and express shipments, track via the airline or courier website.
- For sea shipments, track by container number (we’ll give it to you).
- Log into Seller Central → Shipping Queue → check the status:
- In Transit
- Delivered
- Checked In
- Receiving Completed
- Once it says “Received”, your stock is live and ready for sale.
If Something Looks Off
If after 7 days Amazon still shows “In Transit,” open a case in Seller Central and attach the POD.
We always provide delivery proof so you can resolve missing-inventory cases quickly.
9. Common Problems when shipping from China to Amazon.
Even with the right plan, small mistakes can snowball.
Here are real-world problems I’ve seen and exactly how to solve them.
| Problem | Why It Happens | My Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon rejected cartons | Wrong labels, missing Box ID | Re-label and re-book delivery. We can reprint labels in our destination warehouse. |
| Shipment held at customs | Supplier used wrong invoice / no export license | Let DFH re-declare the shipment under our export license. |
| Unexpected high cost | Quote wasn’t DDP (all taxes excluded) | Always confirm: “Is this all-inclusive DDP price?” |
| Late arrival | Factory delayed, missed vessel | Ask forwarder to split urgent part by air, rest by sea. |
| Damage in transit | Poor packaging | Reinforce cartons, use corner protectors and shrink-wrap on pallets. |
A forwarder who communicates daily can solve 90 % of these issues before they become disasters.
10. How Much Shipping from China to Amazon FBA?
Your planning improves once you know realistic lead times and cost ranges.
| Stage | Average Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Factory production | 7 – 25 days | Depends on product |
| Consolidation + export clearance | 2 – 4 days | DFH can fast-track |
| Air DDP transport | 8 – 12 days | Airport → Amazon |
| Sea DDP transport | 25 – 40 days | Port → Amazon |
| Amazon check-in | 2 – 7 days | Varies by warehouse |
DDP Shipping Cost Reference (USD/kg)
| Shipment Weight Range | Express DDP (DHL / UPS / FedEx) | Air Freight DDP | Sea Freight DDP (converted / kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 – 49 kg | $11.0 – $15.0 /kg | — | — |
| 50 – 99 kg | $10.5 – $13.5 /kg | $6.2 – $13.2 /kg | $1.5 – $3.8 /kg |
| 100 – 199 kg | $9.5 – $12.0 /kg | $6.2 – $12.2 /kg | $1.5 – $3.8 /kg |
| 200 – 299 kg | $9.0 – $11.5 /kg | $5.6 – $11.6 /kg | $1.2 – $3.6 /kg |
| 300 – 499 kg | $8.6 – $10.8 /kg | $5.2 – $11.2 /kg | $1.2 – $3.8 /kg |
| 500 – 999 kg | $7.2 – $10.2 /kg | $4.8 – $9.8 /kg | $1.2 – $3.5 /kg |
| ≥1,000 kg | $6.8 – $9.8 /kg | $4.5 – $9.5 /kg | $1.0 – $3.3 /kg |
Note:
Sea freight is typically charged per CBM (1 CBM ≈ 180–220 kg for general cargo).
The “converted $/kg” values above are practical equivalents for budgeting purposes.
Additional Considerations
- East Coast USA or Inland FBA: +$0.2–$0.5/kg higher than West Coast routes.
- Peak Season (Sept–Dec): Rates increase by $0.5–$2.0/kg due to capacity demand.
- Battery, Magnetic, or Liquid Cargo: Add 5–25% depending on category.
- Oversized or Heavy Cartons: Subject to extra handling surcharges, especially by Express.
These DDP ranges are all-inclusive — covering pickup in China, export declaration, freight, import customs clearance, duties, taxes, and final delivery to Amazon’s warehouse.
They’re ideal for budget estimation and cost-per-unit forecasting before you finalize your shipping plan.
11. The Easy Way — Let DFH Handle Everything for You
If you’ve read this far, you already understand the full process.
But maybe you’re thinking, “This is too much to juggle. I just want my goods to reach Amazon safely without losing time.”
That’s exactly what we do at DFH Logistics.
Our A-to-Z FBA Service
| Step | You Do | DFH Does |
|---|---|---|
| Supplier coordination | Just give supplier contacts | We handle pickup & consolidation |
| Product inspection | Optional | We inspect and send photos |
| Labeling / Repacking | None | Done in our Shenzhen warehouse |
| Customs & DDP tax | None | Fully handled by DFH |
| Amazon appointment | None | DFH books and delivers |
| Tracking & proof | Receive updates | DFH provides POD & check-in report |
You simply share:
- Your supplier’s contact info
- Product details (weight, size, HS code if known)
- Amazon shipping plan (or let us create it for you)
We take care of the rest — from your supplier’s door to Amazon’s shelf.
Happy clients
Final Thoughts
When I started helping Amazon sellers back in 2013, I noticed most of them didn’t fail because of products — they failed because of logistics confusion.
This guide gives you every step you need to succeed.
But if you’d rather stay focused on sales and let a professional handle the complex side, my team at DFH Logistics is ready to help.
Contact us today for a free, all-inclusive FBA shipping plan.
We’ll calculate the best route, cost, and timeline for your exact products and make sure your next shipment reaches Amazon smoothly and on time.
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