How to Ship Amazon FBA

How to ship Amazon FBA fulfillment center is an important process for sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), a program that allows Amazon to handle storage, shipping, and customer service for your products. 

This process not only makes sure that your products are readily available to millions of Amazon customers but also simplifies logistics, giving sellers more time to focus on growing their business. 

how to ship amazon fba

Step 1: Choose Inventory to Send

The first step in shipping to Amazon FBA fulfillment center is selecting the inventory you want to send. 

Start by identifying FBA-eligible products from your catalog. Amazon requires that products meet specific guidelines, including packaging, labeling, and condition requirements. 

Create an inventory listing for the products in your Seller Central account, ensuring all details are accurate, such as SKY, weight, and dimensions. 

During this step, sellers should evaluate stock levels and forecast demand to avoid understocking or overstocking. 

Proper inventory planning can reduce storage fees and ensure consistent availability for customers. For beginners, consider starting with smaller quantities to test the demand for your products.

Step 2: Confirm Shipping

Once you’ve chosen the products to send, the next step is to create a shipping plan in Seller Central. 

Head on over to the “Manage Inventory” section and select the items you want to ship. Click on “Send/Replenish Inventory,” and Amazon will guide you through setting up your shipment. 

You’ll be asked to confirm details like the shipping method (small parcel delivery or less than truckload/full truckload) and the destination Amazon fulfillment center.

Amazon assigns fulfillment centers based on factors such as location and demand, and you cannot choose the destination manually. 

At this stage, you should also decide whether to use Amazon-partnered carriers or a third-party shipping service. Amazon’s partnered carriers often provide discounted rates and integrate seamlessly with FBA processes.

Step 3: Print Box Labels

Proper labeling is a critical requirement when sending products to Amazon FBA.

After confirming your shipment, you’ll need to generate and print box labels from Seller Central. These labels contain shipment and tracking information, ensuring your inventory is correctly identified upon arrival at the fulfillment center. 

Each box should have a unique label, which includes barcodes for scanning. It’s important to follow Amazon’s guidelines for label placement and size. Avoid placing labels over box seams or on surfaces where they might get damaged during transit. 

Using a high-quality printer and durable labels can prevent scanning issues.

Step 4: Confirm Carrier and Pallet Information

If you are shipping large quantities that require palletization, you need to confirm pallet information with your chosen carrier. 

To ship products to Amazon fulfillment center, you need to make sure that pallets meet Amazon’s specifications, including size limits, stacking guidelines, and weight restrictions. 

Amazon requires pallets to be neatly stacked and shrink-wrapped for secure transportation. Additionally, each pallet should contain products for only one shipment; mixing shipments on a single pallet can lead to delays and errors at the fulfillment center. 

Communicate with your carrier to ensure they understand Amazon’s requirements and can meet them. 

Step 5: Print Pallet Labels

For palletized shipments, you’ll also need to print pallet labels from Seller Central. 

These labels include a shipment ID and must be affixed to all four sides of each pallet. 

Pallet labels help Amazon quickly process your inventory upon arrival. 

Double-check that all labels are clear, correctly positioned, and match the shipment details in Seller Central.

This step minimizes the risk of your inventory being misplaced or delayed. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship to Amazon FBA?

The cost of shipping to Amazon warehouses depends on several factors, including the size and weight of your shipment, the shipping method, and the carrier you use. 

Amazon’s partnered carrier program offers competitive rates, which are typically lower than those of independent shipping providers. 

For small parcel shipments, costs are calculated per box based on its dimensions and weight. 

Larger shipments using less than truckload (LTL) or full truckload (FTL) methods may lead to additional fees for services like palletization or lift-gate delivery. 

Sellers should account for Amazon FBA fees, which includes storage, order fulfillment, and return processing fees. Using an Amazon Fulfillment network calculator can help estimate these expenses and plan your pricing strategy effectively.