Amazon FBA Freight Forwarder | FBA Shipping & Freight Services

If you sell on Amazon, you’ll work with an Amazon FBA freight forwarder during the shipping process. You can use Amazon FBA’s shipping services, but we recommend choosing an Amazon FBA freight forwarder that suits your needs and budget.

At Twings Supply, we help streamline your Amazon FBA shipping experience with experience, knowledgeable freight forwarding services. Contact us today and let’s partner with your Amazon business to make shipping simple.

What is Amazon FBA Freight Forwarding?

Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) freight forwarding is the process of shipping inventory from a supplier to an Amazon FBA fulfillment center. This service is provided by Amazon (Amazon Global Logistics), but sellers can choose their own freight forwarders if they want to. 82% of Amazon sellers use Amazon FBA as their fulfillment method, but not all of them use Amazon Global Logistics.

What is an FBA Freight Forwarder?

An FBA freight forwarder is a third-party provider that specializes in shipping inventory from suppliers (often in China) to Amazon fulfillment centers while complying with Amazon’s strict shipping requirements.

They manage international and domestic transportation, handle customs clearance, and make sure goods arrive at Amazon’s warehouses in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Amazon FBA freight forwarders help sellers navigate complex shipping regulations, reduce the risk of customs delays, and optimize shipping costs by offering various transportation methods, such as ocean freight, air freight, and express delivery.

Transportation Methods Used By FBA Freight Forwarders

FBA freight forwarders use a combination of ocean freight, air freight, and domestic express delivery to transport goods from suppliers to Amazon fulfillment centers. The choice of transportation method depends on factors such as shipment size, budget, and urgency.

Type	LCL Ocean Freight + Domestic Express Delivery	FCL Ocean Freight + Domestic Express Delivery	Air Freight + Domestic Express Delivery
Best For	Small shipments	Larger shipments	High-value, urgent shipments
Cost	Budget-friendly	Cost-effective for sizeable shipments	Most expensive
Time	Longest shipping time	Faster times than LCL	Fastest shipping method

LCL Ocean Freight + Domestic Express Delivery

Less than Container Load (LCL) ocean freight is where multiple sellers share space in a single shipping container. This method is ideal for smaller shipments that don’t fill an entire container.

Once the shipment arrives at a US port, it’s deconsolidated, and a domestic express carrier (such as UPS, FedEx, or an Amazon-partnered carrier) transports the goods to the designated Amazon FBA warehouse.

LCL is a budget-friendly option, but has longer transit times due to the consolidation and deconsolidation processes.

FCL Ocean Freight + Domestic Express Delivery

Full Container Load (FCL) ocean freight means booking an entire shipping container for a single seller’s goods. It’s more cost-efficient for larger shipments and provides better security and faster transit times than LCL.

Once the container reaches the US port, the goods are either transported directly to Amazon’s fulfillment center (if the seller has Amazon’s approval for direct delivery) or transferred to a domestic express carrier for final delivery.

FCL is a preferred choice for Amazon sellers with high inventory volumes who want to reduce transit risks and streamline shipping.

Air Freight + Domestic Express Delivery

Air freight is ideal for high-value, time-sensitive products that need to reach Amazon’s warehouses quickly. It’s the fastest but most expensive shipping method used by FBA freight forwarders.

Shipments are flown to a U.S. airport and then transferred to a domestic express carrier for final delivery to Amazon. While air freight offers speed and reliability, it’s more expensive than ocean freight.

Benefits of Using an Amazon FBA Freight Forwarder

Using an Amazon FBA freight forwarder simplifies the process of shipping inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, maintaining compliance, reducing costs, and minimizing risks.

1. Cost Savings on Shipping

Freight forwarders optimize your shipping costs by consolidating shipments, negotiating better rates with carriers, and selecting the most cost-effective transportation methods based on shipment size and urgency.

2. Compliance with Amazon’s Requirements

Freight forwarders are familiar with Amazon’s strict shipping and packaging requirements, including labeling, palletization, and delivery appointment scheduling. They make sure that your shipments meet Amazon’s FBA guidelines, preventing costly delays or rejections at fulfillment centers.

3. Streamlined Logistics & Time Savings

Freight forwarders handle all aspects of transportation, from supplier pickup to final delivery. This means you don’t have to coordinate multiple carriers and logistics providers, allowing you to focus on growing your business instead of managing complex shipping operations.

4. Hassle-Free Customs Clearance

Freight forwarders manage all necessary paperwork, work with customs brokers, and make sure shipments clear customs smoothly. This reduces the risk of delays, penalties, or goods being held at ports due to documentation issues.

5. Warehousing & Inventory Management

Many freight forwarders offer warehousing, allowing you to store inventory before shipping it to Amazon. This is useful if you need to stagger shipments, manage seasonal demand, or comply with Amazon’s inventory limits. Some providers also offer prep services, such as labeling and repackaging.

6. Risk Reduction & Insurance Options

Many freight forwarders offer cargo insurance to protect you from lost or damaged goods. They also handle your goods professionally, so there’s less risk of misrouting or compliance errors.

7. End-to-End Tracking & Visibility

Most freight forwarders provide real-time tracking, allowing you to monitor shipments from pickup to delivery. This visibility helps you plan your inventory management effectively, avoid stock outs, and keep customers informed about restocking timelines.

Amazon’s Policies Regarding Freight Forwarding

Amazon has strict policies for freight forwarding. Sellers must adhere to these regulations to avoid shipment rejections, delays, or extra fees.

Compliance Requirements

• Make sure your products meet U.S. customs regulations and have the proper documentation.
• Use Amazon’s partnered carriers or pre-approved freight forwarders for smoother delivery.
• Schedule delivery appointments for domestic shipments using Amazon’s Carrier Central portal.
• Comply with Amazon’s restricted products list.

Packaging and Labeling Guidelines

Amazon has strict packaging and labeling guidelines to make sure products arrive in good condition and can be efficiently received at fulfillment centers. These include:

Box and Pallet Requirements

Each box must not exceed 25 inches on any side, unless it’s classed as ‘oversized’. The maximum box weight is 50 lbs unless shipping a single, oversized item. LTL/FTL shipments must be palletized and shrink-wrapped according to Amazon’s pallet guidelines.

FNSKU and Barcode Requirements

Every unit must have a scannable FNSKU barcode (Amazon’s identifier) or a manufacturer’s barcode (UPC/EAN/ISBN). Labels must be clear, not placed on box seams, and printed in high resolution so they’re easy to scan.

Shipment Labeling

Each box must have an Amazon shipment label generated from Seller Central. Pallets must have four labels (one on each side) with clear visibility. Labels must not be placed over box edges, tape, or corners.

How to Choose the Right Amazon FBA Freight Forwarder

You should evaluate the company’s experience, industry expertise, pricing, and customer reviews before selecting a freight forwarding partner.

Evaluate Experience & Expertise

Choose a freight forwarder with a proven track record of handling Amazon FBA shipments., which shows they understand Amazon’s strict shipping, labeling, and delivery requirements. If possible, choose a freight forwarder that’s pre-approved by Amazon.

Check Customer Reviews

Research customer reviews and testimonials for feedback on reliability and on-time delivery performance, customer service responsiveness and communication, their ability to handle customs clearance smoothly, and transparency in pricing with no hidden fees.

Make sure to look further than the freight forwarder’s website. Platforms like Trustpilot, Freightos, and Amazon seller forums can provide insights into other sellers’ experiences with a particular freight forwarder.

Compare Quotes & Services

Request quotes from multiple freight forwarders and compare pricing, service offerings, and shipping timelines. Make sure the quote includes all charges (freight, customs duties, port fees, and final-mile delivery), transit times, additional services, tracking, and support.

If you’re unsure, reach out to our team at Twings Supply. Our experienced staff members will answer your questions and provide you with a free, comprehensive quote for Amazon FBA freight forwarding services.

Amazon FBA Freight Forwarder FAQs

How much does Amazon freight forwarding cost?

The cost of Amazon FBA freight forwarding can range from a few hundreds of dollars to in the thousands. Shipment size, weight, transportation method, destination, and customs fees all impact the final total. Estimated costs include:

• Ocean Freight (LCL): $300 to $600 per cubic meter (including customs and local delivery).
• Ocean Freight (FCL): $3,000 to $8,000 per full container, depending on container size (20ft or 40ft) and shipping route.
• Air Freight: $5 to $10 per kilogram, making it the most expensive but fastest option.
• Customs Duties & Taxes: Typically 5% to 25% of the shipment’s declared value, based on product category.
• Final Domestic Delivery: $100 to $500, depending on distance and carrier (UPS, FedEx, Amazon-partnered).
• Understanding Regulations: USA customs regulations are complex and change frequently, making it difficult for businesses to stay compliant. Importers must understand tariff codes, free trade agreements, and import restrictions for specific goods.

Who pays for shipping for Amazon FBA?

The seller is responsible for covering all shipping costs when sending inventory to an Amazon fulfillment center. This includes:

• International freight charges (if sourcing from overseas).
• Customs duties and taxes (if importing goods into the U.S.).
• Domestic freight charges (from the port of entry to Amazon’s warehouse).
• Amazon Partnered Carrier fees (if using Amazon’s discounted shipping services for small parcel or LTL shipments).

Amazon FBA Freight Forwarder | FBA Shipping & Freight Services