FBA Freight Forwarder: Factory to Amazon in One Shipment
Door to door freight forwarding from China, Europe, and India to Amazon US fulfillment centers. Customs clearance, FBA labeling, and direct delivery included. No minimum volume.
Trusted by 2,000 plus brands shipping to Amazon FBA
What You Need to Know
What Is an FBA Freight Forwarder?
An FBA freight forwarder is a logistics company that ships inventory from international factories directly to Amazon fulfillment centers in the United States. Unlike general freight forwarders that deliver cargo to a port or warehouse and stop there, an FBA freight forwarder handles the entire chain: factory pickup, ocean or air transit, customs clearance, FBA labeling and prep, and final delivery to Amazon's receiving dock. AMZ Prep provides FBA freight forwarding from China, Europe, India, and other origins with all prep and customs included in a single service.
The FBA Freight Advantage
Why Amazon Sellers Use a Freight Forwarder
Amazon does not arrange inbound freight from overseas factories. Sellers who source internationally need a freight forwarder to move inventory from the factory to FBA. Here is why an FBA specialized forwarder matters.
Single Point of Contact
One partner manages the entire journey from factory floor to Amazon shelf. No coordinating between a freight company, customs broker, prep center, and last mile carrier separately.
FBA Compliance Built In
FNSKU labeling, poly bagging, carton content labels, and shipment plan execution happen at the destination warehouse. Your inventory arrives at Amazon ready to receive with zero rework.
Volume Negotiated Rates
FBA freight forwarders book thousands of shipments per month, securing carrier rates 30 to 40% below what individual sellers can negotiate. Those savings go directly to your landed cost per unit.
Why AMZ Prep Freight
Built on Ocean Freight Expertise and 2,000 Plus 3PL Clients
AMZ Prep is not a standalone freight forwarder. Every freight client gets the infrastructure of North America's largest independently owned 3PL network. Our 2,000 plus 3PL fulfillment clients already route their international inbound through AMZ Prep freight, giving us the volume to negotiate rates individual sellers cannot access.
Ocean Freight at Scale
AMZ Prep moves thousands of ocean containers per year across 12 carrier partnerships. That volume secures priority booking, guaranteed capacity during peak season, and rates 30 to 40% below spot market. Ocean FCL and LCLfrom every major port in China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and India.
Middle Mile Consolidation
Your freight shipment feeds directly into AMZ Prep's Middle Mile program. We consolidate inbound FBA shipments across multiple sellers into shared truckloads headed to the same Amazon fulfillment centers. This eliminates per seller placement fees and reduces last mile costs by up to 50%. No minimum volume required.
VIP Freight Program
High volume sellers shipping 10 plus containers per month qualify for the AMZ Prep VIP program. Benefits include dedicated freight account manager, priority customs clearance, locked annual rate agreements, first in line warehouse receiving, and same day FBA prep turnaround. VIP clients see an average 22% reduction in total landed cost.
2,000 Plus 3PL Clients Already Use Our Freight
AMZ Prep's freight forwarding is not a side service. The majority of our 3PL fulfillment clients route their international inbound through AMZ Prep freight because it eliminates the handoff between forwarder and warehouse. One receiving team, one system, one invoice. No double handling, no miscommunication between vendors.
Customs and Compliance Expertise
In house licensed customs brokers handle ISF filing, HS code classification, duty optimization, and agency compliance for FDA, CPSC, FCC, and USDA regulated products. AMZ Prep manages bond procurement, duty drawback claims, and tariff engineering to minimize your landed cost legally.
Real Time Shipment Visibility
Track every shipment from factory pickup to Amazon receiving in the AMZ Prep dashboard. Automated milestone alerts for vessel departure, customs clearance, warehouse arrival, FBA prep completion, and Amazon delivery confirmation. No chasing updates across multiple vendors.
International Shipping Routes
Freight Routes to Amazon US Fulfillment Centers
AMZ Prep ships from all major manufacturing regions. Select your origin to see transit times, costs, and the best freight mode for your shipment size.
China to Amazon FBA
Europe to Amazon FBA
India to Amazon FBA
Cost Breakdown
How Much Does FBA Freight Forwarding Cost?
Shipping from China to Amazon FBA by ocean starts from $1,500 per container. Air freight rates start from $3.80 per kilogram. All AMZ Prep freight quotes include origin charges, customs clearance, and delivery to Amazon at no extra cost.
AMZ Prep's volume across 2,000 plus clients secures rates 30 to 40% below what individual sellers can negotiate. Here is what our clients typically pay on the China to US route in 2026.
| Cost Component | Ocean FCL (20ft) | Ocean LCL (per CBM) | Air Freight (per kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freight Rate | From $1,500 | From $120 | From $3.80 |
| Origin Charges | Included | Included | Included |
| Customs Clearance | Included | Included | Included |
| Destination Trucking | Included | Included | Included |
| FBA Prep and Labeling | From $0.50 per unit | From $0.50 per unit | From $0.50 per unit |
| Transit Time (Door to Amazon) | 25 to 35 days | 30 to 40 days | 8 to 12 days |
| Best For | 10+ CBM, planned restocks | Under 10 CBM, new products | Urgent restocks, lightweight items |
Rates shown reflect AMZ Prep volume negotiated pricing. Final quote depends on origin, commodity, shipment size, and season. Duties and taxes are additional. All quotes include origin charges, customs clearance, and destination trucking at no extra cost.
Step by Step
How to Ship From China to Amazon FBA
AMZ Prep handles steps 2 through 6 as a single service. You manage your factory order. We manage everything else.
Confirm Your Order
Finalize the PO with your factory. Share product dimensions, weight, HS codes, and quantity with AMZ Prep so we can prepare customs documentation and book the optimal freight method.
Factory Pickup and Booking
AMZ Prep books ocean FCL, ocean LCL, or air freight based on your shipment size and timeline. A local driver picks up cargo at the factory door and delivers it to the origin port.
International Transit
Cargo ships to the US destination port. Ocean transit takes 14 to 25 days. Air takes 3 to 5 days. AMZ Prep files the ISF at least 24 hours before vessel departure.
US Customs Clearance
Our customs brokerage team handles entry filing, duty calculation, and payment. FDA, CPSC, and other agency clearances are managed if your product requires them.
FBA Prep and Labeling
Cargo arrives at the AMZ Prep warehouse. Units are inspected, FNSKU labeled, poly bagged or bubble wrapped, and packed into cartons meeting Amazon's inbound requirements.
Delivery to Amazon FBA
Completed cartons ship to the Amazon fulfillment center in your shipment plan. AMZ Prep coordinates delivery appointments and provides BOL documentation for Amazon receiving.
Know the Difference
FBA Freight Forwarder vs General Freight Forwarder
General freight forwarders move cargo. FBA freight forwarders move cargo and prepare it for Amazon. The difference costs sellers 5 to 10 extra days and hundreds in avoidable fees.
| Capability | General Freight Forwarder | AMZ Prep (FBA Freight Forwarder) |
|---|---|---|
| Factory Pickup | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Ocean and Air Freight | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Customs Clearance | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| FNSKU Labeling | ✗ No | ✓ Included |
| Poly Bagging and Prep | ✗ No | ✓ Included |
| Shipment Plan Execution | ✗ No | ✓ Included |
| Direct Delivery to Amazon FC | ● To port only | ✓ Door to Amazon dock |
| Inventory Storage | ✗ No | ✓ 50+ US warehouses |
| DTC and Multi Channel Fulfillment | ✗ No | ✓ Shopify, Walmart, TikTok |
| Typical Extra Steps for Seller | Hire prep center + last mile carrier | None. Single invoice. |
Full Service Freight Forwarding
What Is Included in AMZ Prep Freight Forwarding?
Every AMZ Prep freight shipment includes the full chain from factory to Amazon. No hidden handoffs, no surprise invoices from third party vendors.
Ocean Freight (FCL and LCL)
Full container and less than container load shipping from all major ports in China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and India. Carrier contracts across 12 shipping lines ensure capacity even during peak season.
Air Freight and Express
Standard air freight for time sensitive restocks and express air for urgent inventory needs. Direct flights from Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hong Kong to US gateway airports with same week delivery available.
Customs Brokerage
Licensed customs broker handles ISF filing, entry processing, duty classification, duty payment, and compliance with FDA, CPSC, FCC, and other agencies. Bond management included.
FBA Prep and Labeling
FNSKU labeling, poly bagging, bubble wrapping, set creation, carton content labels, and shipment plan execution. All prep happens at the AMZ Prep warehouse after customs clearance.
Last Mile to Amazon
LTL and small parcel delivery directly to Amazon fulfillment centers. AMZ Prep schedules delivery appointments, generates BOL documentation, and confirms Amazon receipt.
Warehouse Storage and Distribution
Store excess inventory at any of 50 plus AMZ Prep US fulfillment centers. Drip feed inventory to Amazon as needed to stay within FBA capacity limits and avoid long term storage fees.
Decision Guide
Do You Need a Freight Forwarder for Amazon FBA?
Not every seller needs a freight forwarder. Use this checklist to determine if an FBA freight forwarder is the right fit for your business.
You Need an FBA Freight Forwarder If:
✓ You source products from China, India, Vietnam, Europe, or other international origins
✓ You ship more than 2 CBM per month to Amazon FBA
✓ You want customs clearance, FBA prep, and freight under one provider
✓ You have experienced shipment rejections or labeling errors at Amazon
✓ You want to reduce your landed cost per unit with volume freight rates
✓ You need to store overflow inventory outside Amazon's FBA capacity limits
You May Not Need One If:
✗ You source all products domestically within the US
✗ Your factory ships directly to Amazon via their own logistics
✗ You ship fewer than 10 units per month total
✗ You are doing retail or online arbitrage with no international sourcing
The Meltable Season Survival Guide
How top brands ship chocolate, gummies, and protein bars all summer without melt damage, rank drops, or negative reviews. Covers temperature controlled fulfillment, cold chain freight routing, packaging specs, and the ad strategies that protect revenue during peak heat months.
Built from the operational playbooks of 5,000 plus brands managing $2B plus in Amazon revenue, including Midday Squares and other temperature sensitive brands that ship through AMZ Prep Freight.
Co created with Smartscout, Cartograph, and Cartology
Download the PlaybookBeyond Freight
Freight Forwarding Connected to Fulfillment
AMZ Prep is not just a freight forwarder. Your inventory flows from factory to freight to FBA prep to storage to multi channel fulfillment under one operation.
3PL Fulfillment
Store, pick, pack, and ship orders from 50 plus US and Canada fulfillment centers. Amazon FBA, Shopify, Walmart, and DTC all under one roof.
FBA Prep Services
FNSKU labeling, poly bagging, bundling, and shipment plan execution. Same day prep turnaround at every AMZ Prep location.
Middle Mile Logistics
Consolidate FBA inbound shipments across sellers to reduce per unit placement fees. No minimum volume. Available at all AMZ Prep locations.
East Coast Fulfillment
Fulfillment centers across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Illinois, and Indiana with 1 to 2 day delivery to 95% of the Eastern US.
West Coast Fulfillment
California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and Oregon fulfillment centers. Closest proximity to LA and Long Beach ports for ocean freight imports.
China to USA Shipping Guide
Comprehensive guide covering HS codes, duty rates, tariff impacts, freight modes, and compliance requirements for Amazon sellers sourcing from China.
Platform Integrations
Freight to Fulfillment Across Every Channel
Your freight shipment connects directly to AMZ Prep fulfillment across all major marketplaces and ecommerce platforms.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Get a Free FBA Freight Quote
Tell us your origin, product details, and destination Amazon fulfillment center. AMZ Prep will provide an all in quote covering freight, customs, FBA prep, and delivery within 24 hours.
