Shipping Your Products to Amazon FBA

When selling on Amazon, you have two main shipping options: FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) and FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant). Understanding the differences between these options and how to ship your products to Amazon FBA can help you improve your sales performance and customer satisfaction.

The FBA and FBM Models Explained

Amazon provides two primary shipping models, each with its own benefits and requirements:

FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)

FBA is a service provided by Amazon where you ship your products to one of their warehouses. Amazon handles the entire shipment process, including packing, fulfillment, and delivery to the customer. This model is highly recommended by Amazon and is used by 80% of sellers due to its convenience and reliability.

FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant)

With FBM, you retain full control over the shipping process. You store your products in your warehouse or your home, and you handle all aspects of the shipment. While FBM offers more flexibility, it can be more challenging to manage, especially for new sellers.

For technical assistance, feel free to contact us. Note: If you choose FBA, you need to set up the process in accordance with Amazon’s guidelines and regulations.

Setting Up Your Shipping Plan

When preparing to send inventory to Amazon FBA, you need to create a shipping plan. The plan should include the following details:

The products you want to send to Amazon The quantity of each product The shipping method and carrier details Whether you want to prepare and label your inventory yourself or have Amazon do it for you

To begin, log in to your Seller Central account and navigate to the Inventory section. From there, you can manage your inventory and set up the shipping plan according to Amazon’s instructions.

Shipping from the United States

For sellers living in the U.S., the process is straightforward. You can ship your products locally to the nearest FBA warehouse in your city or state. After creating your shipment and making an appointment, your products will be stored in an FBA warehouse and then shipped to customers as needed.

Shipping from Other Countries

For sellers not in the U.S., such as those in India, the process involves registering for the Amazon Global Selling program. This program includes registration fees and detailed steps on setting up your FBA process. Amazon provides a step-by-step guide on their Seller Central platform to help you through the process. Detailed information is available on the Amazon Global Selling registration page.

Setting Up FBA

To activate FBA, follow these steps:

Log in to your Seller Central account and go to the Manage Inventory page. Select all the listings you want to convert to FBA. Click on “Actions” and then “Change to Fulfilled by Amazon.”

Choose the best shipping option (Land, Sea, or Air) based on your specific needs and costs.

Estimate and calculate the shipping costs using the information provided by Amazon. It is usually cheapest to use carriers like DHL, UPS, or FedEx.

Create a shipping plan for FBA by following Amazon’s directions. Once your products are in the FBA warehouse, you can create your FBA shipping labels and track your shipments.

For more information on becoming a successful seller on Amazon, please refer to the Amazon Seller Help Center.