Ship smarter from China to Amazon FBA with Huixin’s first-leg expertise and FBA-ready prep.
Introduction: Why Shipping from China to FBA Still Feels Hard
For new and growing Amazon sellers, getting inventory from a Chinese factory into an Amazon fulfillment center (FBA) is the moment where great product ideas either accelerate—or stall. Labels, cartons, customs, carrier capacity, booking windows, pallet rules, inbound placement fees, and seasonal receiving delays all collide at once. At Huixin, we guide sellers through this exact handoff every day, from factory pickup to final FBA check-in, so the process is predictable, compliant, and cost-effective.
Real seller confusion is common. In this Reddit discussion, multiple first-time FBA sellers asked whether they can ship directly from a China-based manufacturer to FBA, how to handle labels, whether to use LTL, and if a 3PL/prep step is necessary. This guide answers those questions with a proven, service-backed workflow.
Can You Ship Directly from China to Amazon FBA?
Yes—if (and only if) your shipment meets Amazon’s strict packaging, FNSKU unit labeling, case labeling, carton weight/dimension limits, and palletization rules. Direct factory-to-FBA can be efficient for experienced teams. For first shipments or any time quality risk is non-zero, most sellers benefit from adding a China-side prep/inspection step to avoid costly FBA refusals, rework, or removals.
That’s why many sellers route through a 3PL or FBA prep service in China: confirm quality, fix labels, consolidate cartons, and ensure the box/pallet data in Seller Central matches what Amazon will receive. You gain control over timing (especially around Q4) and avoid paying Amazon to fix mistakes.
Step-by-Step: How to Ship from China to Amazon FBA
Step 1: Create the Shipment in Seller Central
- Choose “Send/Replenish Inventory”. Create or reuse case pack templates with exact units/box, box dimensions/weight, and prep/labeling selection.
- Ship-From address: use your manufacturer or Huixin’s China warehouse (recommended for prep/QA and better consolidation).
- Generate labels: FNSKU labels (each unit) and box labels (each carton). Share PDFs with your factory or Huixin prep team.
- Be ready for split shipments: Amazon may assign multiple FCs. We can consolidate and plan LTL/SPD accordingly.
Step 2: Product Prep, Labeling & Packaging (Do it in China)
- Unit-level prep: FNSKU labels, polybag suffocation warnings (if required), bubble wrap/box-in-box for fragile items, bundles/kits.
- Carton rules: typical max 50 lb for standard-size (unless single unit exceeds it), clear scannable box labels on two sides.
- Why China-side: lower labor/packaging cost, faster rework if anything is off, and cleaner data consistency for inbound.
Huixin’s FBA Prep service handles unit labeling, multipack/kitting, cartonizing, and photo proofing—so your first FBA receipt is clean.
Step 3: International Shipping & Customs Clearance
- Pick the right mode (see the comparison below): Express, Air Freight, Sea Freight (FCL/LCL), or a purpose-built FBA parcel line.
- Commercial paperwork: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, HS codes, declared value, Incoterms (EXW/FOB/CIF/DDP), and importer/tax details for the destination.
- Customs & duties: ensure correct classification and valuation to avoid holds. Huixin can serve as your 3PL partner to prepare and coordinate entries with licensed brokers.
Step 4: Final Mile Delivery to the Assigned FBA FC(s)
- Small Parcel (SPD) for individual cartons—often via partnered carriers to each assigned FC.
- LTL (palletized) when volume is higher—follow Amazon pallet rules (40"x48", height/weight limits, corner protection, stretch wrap).
- Where to palletize? Frequently cheaper and cleaner to palletize at Huixin’s China warehouse so cartons, labels, and shrink wrap are 100% compliant before export.
Shipping Options, Transit Time & Cost: Pick the Right Path
| Mode |
Typical Transit |
Cost Profile |
Best For |
| Express |
5–7 days door-to-door |
High per kg, minimal overhead |
Samples, urgent small shipments |
| Air Freight |
5–10 days airport-to-door |
$$$ per kg, good speed/scale balance |
Restocks, light/valuable items |
| Sea Freight (LCL/FCL) |
25–40 days port-to-door |
Lowest per kg for volume |
Bulky inventory, stable forecasts |
| Huixin FBA Line |
~12–18 days door-to-FBA |
Bundled rate incl. customs & final mile |
All-in-one predictability for FBA |
Tip: Inbound placement fees and multi-FC splits can change landed cost. Our team optimizes carton allocation, carrier selection, and timing to protect your margin.
Huixin First-Leg Advantages (Featured Lanes)
Huixin’s first-leg network is engineered for Amazon workflows: correct data, compliant packaging, synchronized dispatch to assigned FCs, and contingency capacity during peak. Core strength lanes include:
- United States — Stable capacity via Los Angeles/Long Beach & New York/New Jersey gateways, synchronized LTL/SPD to West/East/Midwest FCs. Pre-palletization in China cuts U.S. handling cost and shortens dwell.
- Canada — Vancouver/Toronto entry with tailored brokerage and domestic linehaul to ON/BC FCs; ideal for seasonal buffers and regional launches.
- United Kingdom — Felixstowe/London Gateway entry, UK VAT handling coordination and Amazon pallet norms; efficient onward to UK FCs.
- European Union — NL/DE hubs for IOSS/OSS-aligned models; smooth cross-border trucking to DE/FR/IT/ES FCs, with harmonized carton/pallet specs.
- Brazil — Santos lane for sellers expanding into LATAM; documentation coaching, duty management, and controlled FBA intake to reduce dwell.
Need another market? See how our network plugs into your channels in How Huixin Works or talk to us for a lane assessment.
Get classifications, valuation, and paperwork right—before your cartons move.
Customs & Compliance: Keep Entries Clean, Keep Freight Moving
Successful FBA shipping hinges on clean documentation and consistent data from the very beginning. What you declare on the invoice/packing list must match what’s in the cartons, what the labels say, and what you entered in Seller Central. Huixin coordinates:
- HS codes & valuation aligned with the product’s true nature and packaging.
- Importer/tax details (e.g., VAT/EORI in EU/UK) and required local registrations.
- Safety/marking rules (e.g., batteries, cosmetics, toys), with correct docs and markings.
- Broker handoff & inspections to avoid holds and downstream FC delays.
If you’re unsure about a specific commodity or destination requirement, loop us in early. Our operations team will validate documents before cargo departs and keep your China warehouse staging aligned with the assigned FCs.
Common First-Shipment Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
- No China-side QA → Factory ships defects; Amazon refusal or bad reviews. Fix: add photo/video QA or sample-based inspection at Huixin.
- Wrong/missing FNSKUs → Receiving stops; rework fees. Fix: let Huixin prep apply labels with dual QC.
- Carton/pallet non-compliance → Inbound denied or delayed. Fix: we pack to Amazon specs and verify dimensions/weight.
- Poor timing around peak → Q4 congestion, high storage. Fix: stage goods in our China warehouse and feed FCs just-in-time.
- Data mismatch → Box content/quantities don’t match plan. Fix: template-based packing + scan checks before export.
How Huixin Makes China → FBA Seamless
Your brand deserves logistics that move as fast as your ideas. Huixin delivers an end-to-end, Amazon-ready flow:
- Factory pickup & China staging with photo proof.
- FBA prep (labeling, kitting, polybagging, cartonizing) with template control.
- Export & customs with accurate HS codes and broker coordination.
- Right-fit linehaul (Express/Air/Sea/Huixin FBA Line) tuned to margin and launch date.
- Final mile to FCs (SPD/LTL) matched to Amazon assignments.
Get a Free FBA Shipping Quote →
FAQs: Shipping from China to Amazon FBA
Do I need an import license? For most consumer goods, you don’t personally need one—Huixin can coordinate importer-of-record arrangements and broker entries depending on destination.
Where should I palletize? Usually in China. You’ll save handling cost and ensure pallets are built to Amazon’s spec before export.
Can my factory ship straight to FBA? Yes, if they are truly FBA-fluent. For first shipments, we recommend a China prep/QA stop to eliminate surprises.
Air vs. Sea? Air (5–10 days) for speed and restocks; Sea (25–40 days) for bulk. Huixin’s FBA Line balances time and cost with bundled services.
How do I avoid multi-FC chaos? Use accurate case packs, consistent carton weights/dims, and let us allocate SPD/LTL per FC assignment cleanly.
Ready to ship like a pro? Talk to Huixin about your lane, timeline, and FBA plan—then let our team execute the details.
