Amazon FBA Shipping Explained
Amazon FBA shipping is the process of getting your products packed with the proper labeling to Amazon fulfillment centers, where Amazon takes it from there to handle your inventory management, order fulfillment, customer returns, and service.
- How to properly pack products for Amazon FBA shipping
- How to create labels for Amazon FBA shipping
- Where to send your Amazon FBA shipping
- How much does Amazon FBA shipping cost
- How long it takes to process Amazon FBA shipping
Table of Contents
How to Properly Pack Products for Amazon FBA Shipping
To properly pack your products for Amazon FBA shipping:
- Use the right-sized box. A six-sided, 6″ x 4″ x 1″ box is the minimum recommendation. You can reuse old boxes if the flaps are intact and any previous shipping labels or markings are removed.
- Pack so contents are secure to prevent possible damage in transit. Wrap items separately and use at least two inches of cushioning between them. Use bubble wrap, inflatable air pillows, or polyethylene foam sheeting. Do not use packing peanuts, styrofoam, shredded paper, or crinkle wrap. Secure the box with strong packing tape. Note: Polybags are useful to protect products, but it is a strict regulation that polybags with at least a 5-inch opening contain possible suffocation warnings. This is to help avoid the possibility of babies and young children playing with the bag and putting it over their heads.
- Provide a shipping label (complete with delivery and return information and barcode) for each box. Center the label toward the top side of the box. Label boxes weighing over 33 pounds as “heavy-weight.” Make sure “heavyweight” is clearly visible from any angle.
How to Create Labels for Amazon FBA Shipping
Use the Amazon FBA system on your seller account to create Amazon FBA shipping labels with identifying barcodes. (Incorrect barcodes can result in shipment delays and even lost inventory.) To ensure shipping labels and barcodes don’t fade or aren’t printed clearly, use a laser printer.
Keep in mind you need to label individual product bags within a box. Follow these guidelines for the label’s proper point size to print for different-size containers:
- Less than 29 inches, at least 10 point
- 30-39 inches, at least 14 point
- 40-59-inch, at least 18 point
- 60 inches or more, at least 24 point
Where to Send Your Amazon FBA Shipping
If you are shipping from China, consider an air express service (such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL) to send directly to Amazon. Other options include air freight, fast sea freight, and slow sea freight that have Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) services. Once the shipment clears customs, any domestic provider (such as UPS) picks it up to deliver to the Amazon FBA warehouse.
Create a shipping plan on the Amazon Sellers Account to locate where to send your Amazon FBA shipping. Each Amazon FBA shipping order is different, so the location isn’t always the same. Note that Amazon doesn’t allow you to personally drop off products and boxes directly at the fulfillment centers.
Amazon does offer the option for you to ship to just one Amazon fulfillment center for all future shipments. In many cases, this is simpler and/or cheaper than sending it to multiple warehouses. To set your Amazon FBA shipping to one warehouse, go to the Inbound Settings in your seller account and indicate your preference in the Inventory Placement Option.
How Much Does Amazon FBA Shipping Cost?
How Long Does Amazon FBA Shipping Takes
GETIDA for Amazon FBA
Using Amazon FBA for inventory management and order fulfillment allows you to focus on building your business and increasing sales. Keep in mind that Amazon FBA shipping is a global-scale operation that can literally involve millions of shipments daily. The potential for mistakes is more than likely. And when Amazon makes mistakes, you are owed reimbursement.
The problem is you don’t have time to continually monitor your accounts for errors, let alone complete claims. GETIDA is a cost-effective solution. GETIDA software reviews the previous 18 months of your Amazon FBA transactions to flag instances that qualify for reimbursement. With your approval, the appropriate claims are then filed.
GETIDA doesn’t charge for this service. GETIDA’s only fee is a percentage of approved claims. And the first $400 in FBA reimbursement is free. Learn more.
