How to Send Alibaba Inventory to Amazon FBA

Transferring products from Alibaba to Amazon FBA involves a series of steps designed to ensure your inventory reaches the endpoint in a timely and cost-effective manner. This guide will walk you through the process, from creating a shipment plan to engaging a freight forwarder, ensuring every detail is covered for a seamless transition.

Step-by-Step Process: Shipping from Alibaba to Amazon FBA

The primary goal when transferring Alibaba inventory to Amazon FBA is to simplify the process and ensure your products are accurately managed. Here are the steps you should follow:

Step 1: Creating a Shipment Plan on Amazon Seller Central

To begin, log into your Amazon Seller Central account and start the shipment process. This involves specifying the destination warehouse address, which is crucial for DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) pricing. Here's how to proceed:

Log into your Amazon Seller Central account. Navigate to the shipment section and create a new shipment plan. Enter the Amazon warehouse address where your inventory will be delivered. Select the appropriate DDP terms to have your supplier cover all transportation costs.

Step 2: Hiring a Freight Forwarder

After creating the shipment plan, the next step is to engage a freight forwarder. AliExpress and Alibaba provide directories of reliable freight forwarders that can handle your shipment from Alibaba to the Amazon warehouse. Here's what to do:

Search for freight forwarders on platforms like Alibaba or AliExpress. Review their services, rates, and reviews. Communicate your shipment details, including origin and destination addresses, product quantities, and dimensions. Accept the offered rates and proceed with the payment. The freight forwarder will arrange for the pickup and transportation of your goods.

Step 3: Ensuring timely Delivery

Once your products are shipped, it is important to monitor the delivery time. Shipping can take more than 30 days, especially if you are outside the USA. To ensure your products are received on time and within Amazon's timeframe, consider the following:

If you are in the USA, you can store the shipment at your home before transferring it to Amazon's warehouse. If you are outside the USA, you can use 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) services to store or manage the shipment. 3PL services can help you transfer the shipment into Amazon's FBA warehouse.

Other Methods for Shipping

Depending on the relationship with your supplier, you might consider these alternative methods:

DDP (Delivery Duty Paid): Request your supplier to handle the shipment and provide a DDP service. This ensures they cover all costs, making delivery more straightforward. EXW (Ex Works): Your supplier handles the shipment, but you need to arrange for transportation and duties. AliExpress or Alibaba Freight Forwarders: You can use listed freight forwarders on these platforms to manage the shipment process. However, while this is recommended for newly formed relationships, it's not the fastest method for existing suppliers.

Conclusion

Shipping goods from Alibaba to Amazon FBA requires careful planning and coordination. By following these steps and utilizing reliable services, you can ensure your products are delivered efficiently and meet Amazon's logistics requirements.

If you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us. We are here to guide you through the process every step of the way.