How to Ship to Amazon USA – FBA & FBM Explained

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How To Ship To Amazon USA, Infobeam Solution

Shipping to Amazon USA is one of the highest-impact operational tasks for cross-border sellers: get it right and you open a large market; get it wrong and you lose margin, time and listing rank. This guide walks you through FBA vs FBM, how to create an Amazon inbound plan, international freight options, customs & duties, Importer of Record (IOR) responsibilities, carrier choices, packing & labeling rules, and a practical checklist you can act on today.

Table of contents

FBA vs FBM – which one to choose?

  • FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon): You ship inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers in the U.S.; Amazon stores, picks, packs, ships, handles returns and customer service. FBA simplifies customer experience and typically improves Buy Box chances and conversions but adds inbound shipping, storage and FBA fees.
  • FBM (Fulfilment by Merchant): You list on Amazon but fulfill orders yourself (or via a 3PL). FBM gives control over logistics and may be cheaper for low-volume or oversized SKUs, but you must manage shipping speed and returns. Amazon offers Amazon Buy Shipping options to access negotiated rates for FBM sellers.

Which to pick? Use FBA if you want scale, faster delivery (Prime), and less day-to-day logistics. Use FBM for low-velocity SKUs, custom or oversized items, or when you can fulfill faster/cheaper yourself.

Step 1 – Plan your shipment: create an inbound plan (FBA)

  1. Log in to Seller Central → Inventory → Send/Replenish Inventory and start a Shipping Plan.
  2. Choose SKUs, quantities and packaging type (case-packed or individual).
  3. Prepare box contents and generate Amazon FBA labels (FBA Box IDs & item labels).
  4. Choose carrier & shipment method (air/sea/parcel).
  5. Confirm and print shipping labels and packing lists.

Amazon requires that you prepare and label shipments per their shipping & routing requirements – box size/weight limits, box-content list and FBA Box ID labels are mandatory. Follow Amazon’s packing/label rules exactly to avoid fines or rejected inbound shipments.

Tip: Use Amazon’s “Create shipment” flow – it assigns the correct destination fulfillment centers and generates the box labels you must attach.

Step 2 – Choose international transport: air, sea (LCL/FCL), or express parcel

  • Express couriers (DHL/FedEx/UPS) – fastest for small volumes, door-to-door, simpler customs clearance, but higher cost per unit. Good for samples or fast restock.
  • Air freight (consolidated) – balance between speed and cost for medium volumes (pallets). Requires airport-to-warehouse transfers and a customs broker.
  • Sea freight (FCL/LCL) – cheapest per unit for large volumes but slower and requires more lead time and documentation (good for seasonal large shipments).
  • Amazon SEND / Amazon Partnered Carriers – Amazon provides programs for cross-border shipping to FBA (see Global Selling options) and can simplify routing to U.S. fulfillment centers. Evaluate cost vs convenience.

Rule of thumb: for first shipments or urgent restocks use express; for regular replenishment of volume SKUs use air or sea depending on lead time and unit economics.

Step 3 – Customs, duties & the de-minimis change (must-know in 2025)

  • Historically, many low-value imports qualified for the U.S. de-minimis exemption (goods valued under $800) and entered duty-free. That policy is changing – the U.S. administration has signalled/implemented changes removing or restricting the de-minimis exemption for certain origins and expanding enforcement in 2025. That affects landed cost and clearance processes – don’t assume low-value shipments avoid duties anymore. Use a customs broker to model landed cost and compliance.
  • Importer of Record (IOR): For shipments to the U.S., someone must be the IOR – responsible for customs paperwork, duties and taxes. You can be the IOR (if you have EIN/Tax ID and local representation), use a U.S. subsidiary, or appoint a third-party IOR / customs broker. Choose carefully – IOR liability is real. CBP guidance and Amazon Global Selling advice should be followed.

Action: Talk to your freight forwarder or customs broker before shipping and get a landed-cost estimate (product value + duty + brokerage + transport + Amazon fees).

Step 4 – Labeling, packaging & Amazon rules

  • Box requirements & labeling: Amazon sets max box weights/dimensions, label placement, and mandates FBA Box ID labels when shipping to FBA centers. Use rigid 6-sided boxes, follow weight limits (Amazon guidance). Improperly labeled or poorly packed boxes can be refused or incur prep fees.
  • Product labeling: Some ASINs require manufacturer barcodes (UPC/EAN) or Amazon barcode (FNSKU). Follow the specific SKU instructions provided in your Shipping Plan.
  • Prep services: If your products need polybagging, bubble wrap, or other prep, you can prep them yourself or use Amazon’s FBA Labeling & Prep or a third-party prep center.

Checklist: box contents list, FBA labels on each box, FNSKU/UPC on units (as required), secure packaging to prevent damage in transit.

Step 5 – Carriers, freight forwarders & partners

  • Pick a freight forwarder with FBA experience. They’ll help with booking, consolidation, palletization, and customs entry to the U.S. Look for partners that offer Amazon FBA routing and have handled Amazon inbound shipments before. Freightos, local freight forwarders, and specialized Amazon logistics partners are common choices.
  • For FBM sellers: use Amazon Buy Shipping (pre-negotiated UPS/FedEx/USPS rates) or integrate with 3PLs that support Amazon Merchant Fulfillment.

Tip: ask forwarders about Amazon-optimized inbound options (reduced placement fees when consolidated correctly) and index their claims on past FBA deliveries.

Cost components to model

  • Manufacturing cost
  • International freight (air/sea/express)
  • Customs duties & brokerage (use HS code to estimate duty rate)
  • Insurance (marine/air cargo insurance)
  • Inland US delivery from port/airport to Amazon FC (drayage/line-haul)
  • Amazon inbound & FBA fees (storage, pick & pack, removal if unsold)
  • Prep/labeling fees (Amazon or third-party)

Do this first: run a per-unit landed cost calculation including a reasonable buffer for duty changes (especially after de-minimis policy changes).

Practical end-to-end checklist

  1. Decide FBA vs FBM based on SKU velocity and margins.
  2. Register EIN / set up Importer of Record or appoint a U.S. IOR.
  3. Create SKUs & list them in Seller Central (match to ASINs or create new).
  4. Create an Amazon inbound Shipping Plan (exact SKUs & quantities).
  5. Choose carrier and freight mode; request quotes (express/air/sea).
  6. Prepare packaging & attach FBA Box ID labels; generate packing lists.
  7. Send shipment to U.S. — track to Amazon FC and confirm receipt.
  8. Monitor inventory health, sales velocity, and replenish with lead time.

How Infobeam Solution helps (practical services)

We remove the guesswork and handle shipping end-to-end:

We will:

  • Advise FBA vs FBM for each SKU and run per-SKU landed cost modeling.
  • Prepare FBA Shipping Plans, labels, and packaging checklists.
  • Coordinate with vetted freight forwarders and customs brokers who specialize in Amazon inbound.
  • Act as liaison with carriers and follow up on Amazon FC delivery exceptions.
  • Manage IOR options (recommend local IOR or third-party service) and help with EIN/tax paperwork if needed.
  • Provide post-arrival QA: inventory reconciliation, damage checks, and A-to-Z incident support.

Deliverable pack: shipping plan, packing list, IOR recommendation, landed cost sheet, and a 30/90 day replenishment calendar.

Common pitfalls & how to avoid them

  • Mismatched names on documents: PAN/GST/invoice vs bank vs shipment documents cause customs delays – ensure uniformity.
  • Wrong box labels / missing FBA IDs: Amazon will charge prep or refuse inbound – always print and affix labels.
  • Ignoring duty changes: The post-2024/2025 de-minimis landscape means small shipments may now attract duties – model for this.
  • No IOR plan: Don’t assume Amazon is the IOR – confirm who will handle customs clearance.

FAQs

Can I ship direct from India to Amazon USA FBA?

Yes, many sellers ship from India to U.S. FBA centers using express, air or sea freight. Use Amazon Global Selling options or trusted freight forwarders who specialize in FBA shipping.

Who is the Importer of Record (IOR)?

The IOR legally clears goods through U.S. Customs and pays duties. You can use your U.S. entity, appoint a customs broker/third-party IOR, or in some Amazon programs use Amazon’s partner options – confirm before shipping.

How long does FBA shipping take?

Transit time depends on mode: express (3–7 days), air (7–14 days), sea (30–45+ days). Add customs clearance and inland transfer time. Plan lead times accordingly.

Will small shipments be duty-free?

Historically small shipments under the de-minimis threshold avoided duties, but U.S. policy has changed in 2025—expect duties on low-value imports in many cases. Check current CBP guidance and work with a customs broker.

Quick next steps

  1. Get a free shipping audit from Infobeam – we’ll model your landed cost and recommend FBA vs FBM.
  2. If you have SKUs ready, send us your SKU list and current invoices; we’ll prepare an inbound plan and provide courier quotes.
  3. Or request our starter pack: FBA shipping checklist + labeling templates + recommended forwarders list.

Contact: Book a free audit – Contact us • WhatsApp/Call: +919654553640 • Email: sales@infobeamsolution.com

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