As an Amazon FBA seller, this question you must always keep in mind when considering amazon freight forwarders. Cost efficiency isn’t just about how cheap but also about how fast.
While every ecommerce merchant strives to sell their product efficiently online, shipping from China, specifically when selling on Amazon, can be tricky. The cost of shipping from China to the Amazon fulfillment center is a crucial budget factor both for eCommerce and Amazon FBA sellers.
Sometimes for an Amazon FBA Seller, the cost of being stock out can be even more expensive than the most expensive freight method. Hence, making the right decision on Amazon FBA logistics is becoming increasingly vital for all sellers.
Everyone believes that using ocean freight to send to Amazon FBA is the greatest option when shipping from China. However, the global logistics industry is currently in disorder. With demand at its peak, the ocean market is suffocating as capacity is limited, transit durations are lengthy and volume just isn’t getting higher.
While airfreight can provide fast relief in congested places, it is very expensive. According to recent reports, every Chinese and American seaport is experiencing delays due to an increasing number of boat itineraries, generating significant congestion day after day.
Prices for ocean containers have climbed over 500% year over year, and finding room in one for goods has become extremely difficult. So, Amazon FBA Sellers must concentrate on achieving the ideal speed-to-cost ratio. When determining which items to prioritize, keep in mind their life cycles.
After that, match your shipping methods to your company’s sales alternatives. In fact, this is the ideal time to fine-tune your modal blend. So while considering the shipping from China cost also keep the speed of the amazon freight forwarders in mind.
Things to Consider Before Shipping from China
Following are some of the most significant things that every Amazon FBA seller should think about before shipping from China.
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Don’t fall into old beliefs trap about prices
It is popular belief by Amazon FBA Sellers that air shipments are the most expensive but also the fastest, and Ocean freight is the most cost-effective, but also the slowest. This may have been the case in the past, but not anymore.
Today a 40 HD Container from China to US may vary up to 14,000-15,000 USD so the assumption of sea being the cheapest option does not count any more.
So as an Amazon FBA Seller, always ask the price per kg, all inclusive prices before you decide on your shipping method. Besides, nowadays Ocean durations are lengthened so much that you may be stock-out and this may cost you much more in terms of losing your Amazon listing position. It will be smart of you to consider other shipping methods.
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Consider alternative methods to classical ocean and air shipments
There are various shipping options available for shipping from China to the US. Amazon Sellers have the option of using different modes of transportation, such as sea, air, or courier (door to door).
Sea DDP has recently been the most preferred delivery method among Amazon FBA Sellers. DDP stands for door-to-door delivery, and it comprises freight, customs clearance, and local delivery. This is the simplest and most popular delivery method for eCommerce and Amazon FBA merchants, at least until they learn about other options.
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Remove volatility from your life by early planning for sea and air cargo for fast delivery.
Faster shipping might help you make the most of any products that are subject to market fluctuations. Many firms have been on a roller coaster over the past year and a half, relying on incredible agility to stay afloat.
It may be profitable to invest in faster transit now that air freight capacity is returning in sync with passenger travel.
Last-minute shipping is always costly, and sending ocean freight from China to the United States is more challenging than ever. The journey to the west coast may take anything from 4 to 6 weeks, and the journey to the east coast could take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks.
So, we highly recommend to Amazon FBA Sellers to plan their delivery at least 90 days in advance if they are going to prefer the ocean freight option.
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Pick a dependable Amazon freight forwarder
There are numerous possibilities on the market when it comes to selecting the best freight forwarder for your goods. Keep in mind that most freight forwarders do not include all costs, such as destination port charges or destination customs duties, in their quotes.
This is a major concern for Amazon FBA sellers because additional costs imply a loss of profit. Working with an Amazon FBA logistics specialized freight forwarder is very vital for Amazon FBA sellers.
Since 2015, Forceget Digital Freight Forwarder has been assisting Amazon FBA sellers in determining the most cost-effective ways to ship from China, whether by sea or air, at the most transparent costs. Our customers may trace their shipments online using our digital freight platform. Amazon FBA sellers frequently use our DDP (door to door) service.
Many Amazon FBA sellers gain time on communication and inventory planning by using our digital freight interface because they no longer have to chase down a human for status updates.
We always provide door-to-door service and include all fees from the manufacturer location to the Amazon FBA warehouses. The goal is for you to be able to control and understand your specific landing expenses. We offer the best amazon fba shipping service.
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About the Author:
Written by Burak Yolga, Founder Forceget Digital Freight Forwarder, who has a bachelor’s degree in international business and an MBA from where he studied in Paris.
He lived in China and Hong Kong for 7 years and visited more than 50 trade shows and 500 factories in more than 40 Chinese cities. Following that he moved to Miami, FL and where he now spends his time helping Amazon FBA sellers with their shipments from China.