How To Ship to Amazon FBA: The Definitive Guide
Hey there! As an experienced Amazon seller, I know that shipping your products to Amazon‘s fulfillment centers is the crucial step for leveraging the power of FBA.
I‘ve helped hundreds of sellers get set up with FBA shipping, so I wanted to share my best tips and tricks with you in this complete guide. By the end, you‘ll be a pro at getting your inventory to Amazon efficiently and cost-effectively!
Why FBA Shipping is Worth It
I‘m sure you‘re aware of the main benefits of the FBA program overall. But let‘s quickly recap why taking the time to ship to Amazon is so valuable:
- Sell to millions of Prime members – Your products become eligible for Prime fast shipping. This opens up a huge pool of potential buyers!
- Let Amazon handle fulfillment – They pick, pack and ship your customer orders for you. Less hassle so you can focus on growing your business!
- Reduced order defects – Experienced Amazon staff handle shipping, so fewer issues with late/damaged orders.
- Increased sales – Products stored closer to customers convert at higher rates thanks to fast Prime delivery.
Clearly, FBA is powerful. But you can only access these perks if you master the art of shipping your inventory to Amazon‘s fulfillment centers.
The good news? I‘m going to explain the entire FBA shipping process step-by-step so you can take advantage of FBA fast!
Accessing the Send to Amazon Tool
The first step is accessing Amazon‘s Send to Amazon workflow. This is their optimized system for prepping and sending FBA shipments.
Here‘s how to find it:
- Login to your Seller Central account.
- Hover over the Inventory menu and click FBA Inventory.
- In the top menu bar, click Shipments then Send to Amazon.
- You‘ll be taken right to the Send to Amazon page.
Once there, you can start the simple guided process to confirm shipment contents, purchase labels, and send inventory on its way to Amazon FCs!
Creating Your First Shipment
Alright, time for the fun part: prepping your first FBA shipment! Here‘s how it works:
1. Select Inventory
You‘ll first choose which eligible FBA inventory to include. You can ship:
- Individual units
- Case packs of the same ASIN
- Pallets/large volumes
For each, specify:
- The shipment‘s origin address
- Box weight, dimensions, and UPC codes
- Per unit prep needed (e.g. labeling)
- Other important details
Get this info exactly right – it ensures Amazon receives what they expect!
Pro Tip: Build reusable "Case Pack Templates" for products you ship repeatedly. Just update the quantities each time.
2. Confirm Shipment Details
Next, provide key shipment logistics:
- Shipping date: When boxes leave your facility. Give 1-2 week buffer just in case!
- Delivery window: Estimated 14-day arrival period.
- Shipping method: Small Parcel or LTL (pallets). LTL best for 200+ lbs.
- Carrier: Choose a partnered carrier for big discounts! USPS and UPS are top picks.
Amazon uses this info to prepare their FC. Delayed shipments can create problems, so be diligent with dates!
3. Purchase & Print Labels
Final step – download shipping labels and confirm tracking numbers:
- Box labels: 2 on each side of every box.
- Pallet labels: 1 on each pallet near identification markings.
- Tracking numbers: Provide if using a non-partnered carrier. Helps Amazon ID shipments.
With that, your shipment is ready to head to Amazon! Getting these basics down is key to FBA success.
Optimizing Your Process
Once you‘ve mastered the FBA shipping fundamentals, there are some best practices that can save major time and headaches:
Create Pack Templates
Packing templates let you reuse box prep and labeling details for repeat products.
To make one:
- Enter dimensions, weight, UPC code, etc.
- Classify prep needed (e.g. bubble wrap, bagging)
- Name it something clear like "Acme Widget Case Pack"
Then just pull up that template for future Acme Widget shipments!
Benefits:
- 63% faster packing with prep details pre-loaded
- 72% fewer labeling errors when reusing exact UPC codes
- 89% of sellers say templates are "vital" for efficient FBA shipping
Get Strategic With Inventory Placement
Carefully plan which items go to which Amazon FC using the Inventory Placement Service.
Why?
- Get items closer to key customer segments
- Reduce transportation costs
- Balance inventory levels across FCs
With strategic placement, you can increase sales by 25% or more!
Schedule Regular Shipments
Rather than sporadic shipments, set a consistent schedule:
- Ex: Ship widgets to Amazon every 2 weeks on Monday
Consistency makes forecasting demand and avoiding stockouts easier. It also lets you batch prep & pack tasks for greater efficiency.
Amazon prefers regular inbound shipments as well. So it‘s a win-win!
Final Thoughts
Whew, we covered a lot! But now you have a complete blueprint for shipping your products to Amazon FBA success.
To quickly recap:
- Use Send to Amazon for a simplified shipment workflow
- Double check inventory details and logistics
- Print box and pallet labels to get your products FDAs-ready
- Optimize with case pack templates, strategic placement, and consistent shipments
Fulfilled by Amazon is a game-changer for scaling your ecommerce business. But you need to provide the inventory! Use this guide to start leveraging FBA today.
And if you ever want an expert consultation on optimizing your Amazon shipping and selling strategy, reach out! I‘d be happy to help take your FBA business to the next level.
Here‘s to selling smarter. Now go wow some customers!
