How Much Do You Know About Amazon FBA Shipping Models?

Cross-border sellers know that to boost their sales, logistics and delivery must keep up with the speed. Resolving logistics bottlenecks can unlock a sales "explosion." Reliable logistics and timely delivery not only provide buyers with a good shopping experience, leading to repeat purchases, but also help attract new customers through positive reviews, word-of-mouth, and recommendations.
"How did I get my order so quickly?" When buyers are amazed by the fast delivery, sellers receive a flood of good reviews, and orders pour in.

Amazon FBA: Helping Sellers Achieve Explosive Sales

Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is a service offered by Amazon. Simply put, it allows sellers to store their products in Amazon's warehouses. When customers place orders, Amazon handles packaging, shipping, and customer service. Sellers only need to send their products to Amazon’s warehouse, and Amazon takes care of everything else.

Using Amazon FBA allows you to outsource the complex logistics and operations to Amazon, saving you a significant amount of time, money, and resources. It allows you to focus on expanding your global sales business. The supply chain process for Amazon FBA involves three main steps: first-leg logistics, distribution and replenishment, and final-mile delivery. The first-leg logistics can be handled through AGL or PCP, and once goods reach the Amazon warehouse (AWD), they are delivered via FBA services or Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF).

Various Shipping Methods to Transport Goods to Amazon's Warehouse

01 FBA Ocean Freight

FBA ocean freight refers to using ocean shipping to transport goods to Amazon’s warehouse. The process includes customs clearance at the destination port and then delivery to the Amazon warehouse. FBA ocean freight costs are calculated based on either a tax-inclusive or tax-excluded method, depending on the shipping channel. Additionally, FBA ocean freight charges are based on the higher of actual weight or volumetric weight.

FBA ocean freight options include expedited ocean freight and ocean freight plus truck options.

1.FBA Expedited Ocean Freight (Ocean + Express)Goods are shipped by ocean freight to the destination port, cleared through customs, and then sent by express shipping to Amazon's warehouse.

2.Ocean Freight + Truck (Ocean + Trucking)After customs clearance at the port, goods are transferred by train to the destination and then delivered by truck to Amazon’s warehouse. For a reliable and timely delivery, you can choose Shengshi Group's logistics team, which specializes in US port-to-port customs clearance, transportation, and warehousing services. Shengshi Group has served over 4900 e-commerce sellers and 150+ Amazon sellers, becoming a trusted logistics partner.

FBA Ocean Freight Costs

1.FBA Ocean Freight with Tax-Inclusive Channels:
Volume and weight conversion ratio: 1 cubic meter (CBM) = 167 kg (KG)

2.FBA Ocean Freight with Tax-Excluded Channels:
Actual weight cost = Basic unit freight rate (TNE) × Gross weight (KGM)
Volumetric weight cost = Basic unit freight rate (MTQ) × Volume (CBM)
Volumetric weight = Volume (CBM) × 167 / KG

It’s important to note that for small, light-weight goods, the charge is based on weight. For larger, lighter items, the charge is calculated by converting volume into weight (1 CBM = 167 KG) and then multiplying by the unit freight rate.

FBA Ocean Freight non-tax channels are priced based on volume, and the volume-to-weight conversion ratio is: 1 cubic meter (CBM) = 300 kg (KG).

02 FBA Air + Delivery

Amazon FBA Air + Delivery involves integrating logistics resources, with air freight for the first leg of transportation, followed by final-mile delivery in the destination country. This service offers a one-stop logistics solution for Amazon sellers, with a reference transit time of 7-15 days and stable delivery performance.
Air freight costs are typically calculated based on actual weight and volumetric weight. The formula for calculating volumetric weight is:
Volumetric Weight (KG) = Volume (CBM) / 0.006
Volumetric Weight (KG) = Length (CM) × Width (CM) × Height (CM) / 6000

03 FBA Direct Express

Amazon FBA Direct Express is a logistics method that uses international express services for direct delivery. It offers fast delivery with high stability and service quality. However, it is typically more expensive and is often used for urgent shipments.

Shengshi Group: Your Professional Logistics Manager

As a US-based customs brokerage company with over 50 years of customs clearance experience and an in-house team of Green Card holders specializing in Chinese customs clearance, Shengshi Group was founded in 1973 in San Francisco. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles and specializes in full-port customs clearance, transportation, and warehousing services across the United States.

Shengshi Group has served over 4900 e-commerce sellers and 150+ Amazon sellers, becoming a reliable logistics partner for many. In 2003, Shengshi Group received certification from the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). The company has multiple offices in China to effectively assist clients in navigating complex market demands.

With Shengshi Group’s one-stop logistics service and extensive experience, we help sellers take their business to the next level.