If you’re shipping Amazon FBA, it’s critical to select a freight forwarder that can keep your goods moving while making sure your shipments meet Amazon’s guidelines.
In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about Amazon FBA freight forwarding, including why you need a freight forwarder, how much you can expect it to cost, and how to find a good freight forwarder for FBA.
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Why should I use a freight forwarder for Amazon FBA?
Freight forwarders provide essential services throughout the shipping process, including:
- Preparing paperwork
- Making bookings
- Arranging shipment payments
- Coordinating logistics with carriers, providers, and trucking companies
- Customs brokerage
- Troubleshooting shipment issues
While in rare cases you may be able to arrange international shipments on your own, generally if you’re shipping freight you’ll need a freight forwarder to book with an ocean or air carrier. Even if you could do it alone, you’d miss out on some key advantages of working with a forwarder, including:
- Experience – Freight forwarders know how to navigate complex logistics and customs regulations, ensuring smoother cross-border movements.
- Efficiency – Freight forwarders consolidate shipments from multiple clients, resulting in cost efficiencies through shared transportation and bulk pricing negotiations. Additionally, their network of carriers and agents adds options for shipping routes and modes, which can cut your transit time and reduce delays.
- Visibility – Freight forwarders often provide end-to-end tracking and documentation services, boosting transparency and accountability throughout the shipping journey
When it comes to Amazon FBA shipping, it’s important to choose a forwarder with experience dealing with Amazon shipments so they can help with:
- Compliance – Freight forwarders with experience in FBA understand Amazon’s specific requirements and regulations for labeling, packaging, and documentation. That means you can make sure your goods are compliant early in the process and avoid delays and fees.
- Warehouse regulations – Freight forwarders facilitate coordination with Amazon’s fulfillment centers, ensuring inventory arrives in a timely and compliant manner.
The bottom line? Using a freight forwarder for Amazon FBA shipping simplifies the logistics process, saving money, and ensuring adherence to Amazon’s stringent fulfillment standards.
How much does an Amazon FBA freight forwarder cost?
Take these Amazon FBA freight forwarding costs into account when planning your logistics budget:
- Transportation costs – Charges for moving goods from the warehouse to the destination country. These vary based on factors like shipment size, weight, and shipping mode (air, sea, or land)
- Customs bond – Insurance for Customs and Border Patrol in the event you don’t pay your duties and taxes
- Duties and taxes – Calculated by Customs and Border Patrol at arrival
- Insurance – Provides coverage for potential loss or damage to goods during transit
- Destination handling charges – Incurred for services including unloading, warehousing, and preparing items for Amazon FBA fulfillment centers
- Labeling and palletization – Services that ensure products meet FBA requirements
These costs do not include fees charged by Amazon for storage, processing, packing, and shipping orders to customers.
The combined costs of Amazon FBA freight forwarding could range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per shipment, depending on the specifics of the shipment and services.
How to find the best Amazon freight forwarder
Here are some important qualities to look for when choosing a forwarder for your FBA shipment:
- Expertise in international logistics – Seek out a freight forwarder that has extensive experience on the lanes and modes you need,
- Expertise in Amazon requirements: Choose a provider who understands the ins and out of FBA requirements
- A proven track record of reliability and customer satisfaction – Check ratings and reviews to understand what it’s like to work with your forwarder
- Transparency in pricing – Your forwarder should provide a clear breakdown of all costs involved in the shipping process
- Effective communication – Check that your forwarder has systems in place to for updates, inquiries, and general communication
- Technology – A forwarder with efficient tracking and communication systems can enhance visibility and reduce potential disruptions
When choosing a forwarder, get multiple quotes to compare services and costs. However, remember that the cheapest option may not always be the best in terms of reliability and quality – service can make a big difference.
It’s also important to tailor your choice to your shipping needs. If you’re frequently importing from China, for example, opt for a forwarder with experience shipping from China. They should have a robust network of local partners, knowledge of local regulations, and experience in managing shipments to and from China.
How Freightos.com can help with your Amazon freight forwarder
Using Freightos.com can make finding and working with an Amazon freight forwarder easier. Here’s how:
- Freightos.com is a marketplace that provides access to dozens of vetted freight forwarders so you can compare rates and get competitive pricing
- You can read reviews of freight forwarders right on the platform to help find a good fit
- You can select an Amazon warehouse as your shipping destination when booking a shipment – which means you’ll be all set as an FBA shipper from the start
- The platform also offers easy shipment tracking, document management, and customer support throughout the shipping journey
