Amazon FBA Shipping from China: Direct to Warehouse Guide

FBA Routing Options from China (2026)

Three routing modes cover 95% of China-to-FBA shipments. Choose based on urgency, volume, and whether your factory can apply FBA-compliant labeling.

For the sea routes, add 2–5 days for Amazon receiving and 1–3 days for units to become sellable. Air adds the same receiving window, so total sellable time is 5–12 days for air and 27–45 days for sea.

FBA Carton & Pallet Rules (Non-Negotiable)

Amazon refuses non-compliant cartons and charges unplanned prep fees. Print and enforce these before cargo leaves the factory:

• FNSKU barcode on every sellable unit (covers the original manufacturer barcode; use matte finish, not glossy).
• FBA shipment label on all 4 vertical sides of each carton (1×4 inch, scannable, no wrinkles over the barcode).
• Single SKU per carton where possible (mixed-SKU cartons require a "Mixed SKU" label and slower receiving).
• Max carton weight 50 lb (22.7 kg); if a single unit weighs over 50 lb, label "Team Lift" or "Mech Lift".
• Pallets: 40×48 inch GMA standard, max height 72 inches (60 inches for stackable), stretch-wrapped, with a 4-inch pallet label on all 4 sides.
• For SPD (small parcel), each carton is its own shipment; for LTL, palletize and use Amazon-partnered carriers for discounted rates.

FBA Inbound Cost Breakdown

Section 301 is usually the single biggest line item after product cost. On a $5 EXW product with 25% duty, that's $1.25/unit — more than the sea freight itself. Always compare DDP landed cost, never freight-only.

Worked Example: 5,000 Units to LAX9 (Sea DDP Direct-to-FBA)

A seller ships 5,000 wireless earbuds (EXW $4.50, 50 cbm total, 1,250 kg) from Shenzhen to Amazon's LAX9 FC in San Bernardino, CA.

• Product cost: 5,000 × $4.50 = $22,500
• China FBA prep (FNSKU + polybag): 5,000 × $0.20 = $1,000
• Sea DDP freight (50 cbm × $80/cbm): $4,000 (ocean freight + terminal handling + port-to-FC delivery; duty listed separately)
• FBA inbound (standard size, $3.50/unit): 5,000 × $3.50 = $17,500
• Section 301 duty (7.5% of $22,500): $1,688
• Total landed: $46,748 → $9.35/unit (sea DDP), 30 days door-to-door

Freight portion per unit: $4,000 / 5,000 = $0.80/unit. Air DDP on the same shipment would cost ~$6/unit freight but arrive in 6 days — used only for emergency restock.

Direct-to-FBA vs US Prep Center: Decision Guide

• Choose direct-to-FBA when: factory applies correct FNSKU/polybag, product is single-SKU per carton, no bundling needed, and you've verified labeling with a pre-shipment inspection. Saves $0.30–$0.80/unit.
• Choose US prep center when: you need multi-SKU bundling, FNSKU re-labeling after a listing change, polybag/box rework from QC failures, or Amazon "unplanned prep" history. Worth it if it avoids $0.50–$1.50/unit Amazon penalties.

How Yeatru Handles FBA Shipping from China

Yeatru runs weekly sea and air DDP shipments to Amazon FCs (LAX9, ONT8, SNA4, LGB6, JFK8, BFI4) from Shenzhen, Yiwu, and Guangzhou. Our service covers:

• FBA-compliant prep at the factory (FNSKU labels, polybag, choking-hazard warnings) — audited via pre-shipment QC photos.
• DDP door-to-FC freight with duty and Section 301 prepaid.
• Carton labeling on all 4 sides and palletization to Amazon spec.
• FBA shipment ID mapping and tracking from cargo-ready to sellable.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I ship directly from China to Amazon FBA?

Use a DDP forwarder who clears US customs and delivers to the FC door. You provide the FBA shipment ID and carton labels; the forwarder handles freight, duty, and last-mile. Sea DDP takes 25–40 days at $0.80–$2.50/cbm freight; air DDP takes 3–7 days at $4–$9/kg.

2. What are Amazon FBA carton and pallet requirements?

Every carton needs an FBA shipment label on all 4 sides, a single FNSKU barcode per unit, single-SKU cartons preferred, max 50 lb/carton, and for LTL pallets must be 40×48 inches GMA standard, stretch-wrapped, with 4-inch pallet labels.

3. Should I use a US prep center or ship direct to FBA?

Ship direct-to-FBA when your factory applies FNSKU and polybag correctly (saves $0.30–$0.80/unit). Use a US prep center when you need bundling, re-labeling, or QC rework — it avoids Amazon's $0.50–$1.50/unit unplanned prep fee.

4. How much does FBA inbound shipping from China cost?

Sea DDP to US West Coast FCs: $0.80–$2.50/cbm freight + $0.10–$0.30/unit China prep + $3–$10/unit FBA fees + duty. For 5,000 units / 50 cbm, sea DDP lands around $0.80/unit freight; air DDP lands at $6–$8/unit.

5. How does Section 301 duty affect FBA landed cost?

Section 301 adds 7.5%–25% duty on most China-origin goods. On a $5 EXW product, that's $0.38–$1.25/unit — often more than the sea freight itself. DDP forwarders quote duty-inclusive, so always compare DDP landed cost and verify your HS code against the 2026 tariff list.

6. How long does FBA shipping from China take?

Sea DDP: 25–40 days port-to-door + 2–5 days Amazon check-in = 27–45 days to sellable. Air DDP: 3–7 days + 2–5 days check-in = 5–12 days. Plan sea restocks 45+ days ahead; use air for emergency top-ups under 500 kg.

Conclusion

Shipping FBA inventory from China is a choice between speed and cost: direct-to-FBA sea DDP at ~$0.80/unit freight in 30 days, or air DDP at $6–$8/unit in 6 days. The non-negotiables are correct FNSKU labeling, 4-sided carton labels, and 50 lb carton limits — get these wrong and Amazon charges unplanned prep or refuses the shipment. Always quote DDP duty-inclusive to capture Section 301's 7.5%–25% impact. Get a free FBA DDP quote from Yeatru — we handle factory prep, carton labeling, and door-to-FC delivery with tracking to sellable.