Managing logistics is essential to selling on Amazon in other countries. However, international shipping is complicated, and many sellers struggle with it. That’s where Amazon freight forwarders can help. They’re professional partners that help sellers get goods from overseas manufacturers to Amazon warehouses. Whether you’re a new seller just starting on the Amazon platform or a veteran seller looking to improve your current logistics processes, this guide will help you easily overcome the complex challenges of cross-border logistics. It explains in detail the role and advantages of freight forwarders and how to choose the service that best suits your business needs.
What Is an Amazon Freight Forwarder?
Freight forwarders are essential partners of enterprises in international logistics. They are mainly responsible for efficiently transporting goods from manufacturers to destinations (such as Amazon distribution centres, third-party warehouses, etc.). Freight forwarders coordinate the entire transportation process (sea/air Freight, customs declaration, document processing) and use their professional experience to ensure that the goods comply with customs regulations and Amazon’s warehousing technical requirements (such as labelling and packaging specifications). Since international transportation involves complex legal documents, tax rules and cross-border compliance requirements, it is difficult for ordinary companies to deal with it independently. Freight forwarders can effectively avoid risks, reduce delays, optimize costs, and ensure that the goods are delivered safely and efficiently in compliance.
What is the role of a freight forwarder?
The role of a freight forwarder is to provide professional international logistics solutions for businesses, ensuring that goods are transported smoothly from overseas manufacturers to their destination (e.g. Amazon distribution centres, third-party warehouses, etc.). Specific roles include:
1. Transportation coordination: Mainly responsible for planning, managing and optimizing the transportation process of goods, ensuring efficient and safe transportation from the starting point to the destination.
2. Customs clearance: Customs declaration documents are processed to ensure that goods comply with the importing country’s regulations and avoid delays or fines.
3. Technical compliance: Meet the technical requirements of the Amazon platform (such as labelling and packaging specifications).
4. Risk management: ensure that goods arrive safely and on time and reduce business losses by preventing and responding to potential problems in transportation (such as delays, damage, and compliance risks).
5. Cost optimization: reduce transportation and warehousing costs through expertise and resource integration.
6. Full tracking: provide real-time status updates on the goods to ensure transparency and control of the shipping process.
What are the shipping challenges faced by Amazon FBA sellers?
Amazon sellers may encounter the following challenges during the logistics process:
1. International shipping complexity – Shipping from overseas suppliers involves multiple shipping methods (Sea Freight, Air freight, Rail, etc.), cost calculations and time management.
2. Customs clearance and compliance—Each country has different import and export regulations, and sellers must ensure that the goods comply with customs requirements to avoid delays or additional fees.
3. Amazon warehouse requirements—Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) has strict requirements for packaging, labelling, shipping time, etc. Failure to meet these requirements may result in rejection or additional fines.
4. Shipping cost control – Shipping fees, customs duties, storage fees and other costs may fluctuate significantly. Sellers need to plan their budgets to reduce logistics expenses effectively.
5. Inventory management – Predict sales trends and replenish goods reasonably to avoid missing sales opportunities due to stockouts or increased storage fees due to inventory backlogs.
6. Logistics timeliness and delays – Weather, port congestion, and customs clearance issues may cause shipping delays, affecting the buyer experience.
How a freight forwarder can help Amazon FBA sellers
A freight forwarder can help Amazon sellers solve the following significant problems:
1. Customs clearance problems – Freight forwarders are familiar with the customs regulations and clearance processes of different countries and can ensure that sellers’ goods can pass through customs smoothly, avoiding delays and additional costs due to non-compliance.
2. Amazon warehouse requirements – Freight forwarders understand the specific requirements of Amazon FBA and can ensure that sellers’ packaging, labelling and shipping methods meet standards, avoiding rejections or additional costs due to non-compliance.
3. Transportation route optimization—Freight forwarders can choose the most appropriate transportation method (Sea Freight, Air freight, Rail, etc.) according to sellers’ needs, reasonably plan the transportation route, ensure that the goods arrive at the destination on time, and avoid delays.
4. Reduce shipping costs – Freight forwarders usually work with multiple carriers and can negotiate more competitive shipping prices to help sellers control logistics costs.
5. Multi-channel logistics coordination—Freight forwarders can manage Amazon FBA and other warehousing channels (such as third-party warehouses) simultaneously to help sellers coordinate multiple logistics chains and ensure smooth inventory management.
6. Solve inventory problems – Freight forwarders can help sellers optimize inventory management, arrange replenishment, and ensure that goods are delivered to Amazon distribution centres promptly to avoid out-of-stock or overstock situations.
7. Guarantee transit time – Freight forwarders have extensive experience and supply chain resources to effectively prevent or respond to various delays in the shipping process, ensure that goods arrive on time, and improve buyer satisfaction.
8. Professional consultation and support – Freight forwarders can provide sellers with professional logistics advice and technical support to help them deal with various logistics challenges so that they can focus more on sales and product management.
How to choose the best Amazon FBA freight forwarder
Choosing the best Amazon freight forwarder is crucial to ensuring smooth logistics. Here are some key factors to help you make an informed choice:
1. Experience and expertise: Choose a freight forwarder with extensive experience in international logistics and familiarity with Amazon FBA requirements. Find out if the agent has handled Amazon-related shipments, including customs clearance, packaging requirements, labelling regulations, etc.
2. Amazon FBA expertise: Ensure that the freight forwarder is capable of handling Amazon FBA and can provide services that meet Amazon’s inbound requirements (such as packaging, labelling, shipping methods, etc.). They should also understand Amazon’s policies and processes and be able to avoid rejections and delays effectively.
3. Logistics network and resource selection: Choose a freight forwarder with a strong logistics network and multiple shipping options. Consider whether the agent can provide various shipping options, such as sea freight, air freight, rail, etc., and whether they can partner with carriers to optimize shipping routes and costs.
4. Cost transparency and competitive comparison: Compare the cost structures of different freight forwarders to ensure there are no hidden costs. A good freight forwarder should provide a precise quote that includes all relevant costs, such as shipping fees, customs duties, insurance fees, etc., while ensuring a competitive price.
5. Customer service and support: Choose a freight forwarder who offers good customer service and promptly responds to your questions and needs. Various unexpected problems may occur during the shipping process. Whether the service team of the agent can solve the issues efficiently will directly affect your logistics experience.
6. Global coverage: If you sell in multiple countries or regions, choose a freight forwarder to cover a wide area to ensure they can handle cross-border transportation and logistics needs worldwide.
7. Reputation and reviews: Check the agent’s reputation and customer feedback, especially reviews from Amazon sellers. You can learn about an agent’s reputation and service quality through online reviews, social media, or by asking other sellers.
8. Customs clearance capabilities: Find out if the agent has experience dealing with complex customs clearance, especially the customs requirements and regulations of international shipping. Can they help you avoid delays or extra costs due to customs clearance issues?
9. Inventory and warehousing services: If you need to store goods in a third-party warehouse, choose a freight forwarder that offers warehousing and inventory management services. Some freight forwarders provide complete logistics management, including warehousing and order fulfilment services.
10. Flexibility and scalability: If your business has growth potential, choosing a freight forwarder that can provide flexibility and scalability is essential. Can the agent quickly adjust the logistics plan and increase transportation capacity as your business expands?
How are freight forwarder fees calculated?
There are many factors to consider when calculating freight forwarder fees. Here are some everyday cost items to help you understand the composition of freight forwarder fees:
Transportation costs
The costs of different transportation methods (such as sea freight, air freight, rail, etc.) vary considerably. Generally, Air freight is faster but more expensive, while Sea freight is slower but relatively cheaper.
Customs clearance fees
Customs duties vary from country to country, and freight forwarders will usually calculate and pay you the relevant taxes and fees in advance. The assessment will be based on the type, value, and country of importation of the goods. They will also assist you with customs clearance and charge a service fee. The customs clearance process involves paperwork processing, customs duty payment and necessary inspections.
Storage fees
If the goods need to be stored in Amazon FBA warehouses, you must consider Amazon’s storage fee in addition to the shipping fee. The freight forwarder will help you store the goods.
Packaging and labeling fees
We provide packaging services to ensure that the goods meet the requirements for shipping and Amazon. Amazon requires a separate barcode label for each item. The freight forwarder will help you print and affix the label.
Insurance costs
During shipping, goods may be at risk of damage or loss. We provide insurance services and charge insurance fees based on the goods’ value and shipping route.
Additional fees
- Bunker Adjustment Factor: During the shipping process, fluctuations in fuel prices may affect the final cost, and the freight forwarder may charge a bunker adjustment factor based on the situation.
Urgent shipment fees: If you need to speed up the shipping process, choose a fast or express shipping option, which will cost an additional fee.
Transit fees: Transit fees will be incurred if the goods need to be transferred (for example, Sea Freight to a port and then transferred to Air Freight).
Other service fees
- Towing fees: If the goods need to be transferred or delivered last mile, towing fees may be incurred.
Why Hongocean is the best Amazon FBA freight forwarder
Hongocean has a lot of experience handling Amazon FBA logistics and deeply understands Amazon’s warehousing requirements, labelling standards, packaging regulations, and customs clearance processes. It can ensure that your goods meet all the requirements of Amazon FBA and avoid rejections or fines due to non-compliance.
It can choose the best shipping solution according to the needs of Amazon sellers to ensure that goods can be delivered to Amazon distribution centres efficiently and on time.
Hongocean is here for you 24/7, so you can always get help. Our team is here to help you solve any concerns or issues so you can relax and focus on what matters most.
When you partner with Hongocean, you solve your current logistics problems and prepare your business for future growth and success in the Amazon marketplace.
