Imagine a batch of carefully selected products ready to be swiftly delivered to an Amazon FBA warehouse in the US, awaiting timely listing and sales. However, the complexities of cross-border logistics often leave sellers feeling overwhelmed. This article focuses on the air freight process for Amazon FBA shipments to the US, providing sellers with a detailed operational guide to enhance logistics efficiency.
1. Inventory Preparation and Documentation
Success begins with thorough preparation. Sellers must provide detailed cargo information, including:
- Clear product descriptions
- Accurate piece count
- Precise weight measurements
- Standardized box dimensions
- Complete consignee details (name, address, phone number)
- Estimated shipping date
- Shipper information (name, contact number, and address)
This foundational data must be accurate to ensure smooth subsequent operations.
2. Booking Air Freight Space
Selecting a professional air freight forwarding agent is critical. The agent will:
- Book cargo space with airlines based on provided shipment details
- Confirm flight number, date, master air waybill number
- Verify piece count, weight, and volume
This step ensures goods are successfully loaded onto the aircraft.
3. Cargo Allocation and Consolidation
The forwarding agent will:
- Verify actual quantity, weight, and volume against shipping documents
- Optimize space utilization through scientific cargo allocation
- Consider aircraft type, container specifications, and height restrictions
4. Export Customs Clearance
Customs clearance is mandatory for exports. Options include:
- Express clearance
- General trade clearance (for tax rebates)
- ATA Carnet clearance
Many forwarders offer integrated clearance services to streamline the process.
5. Customs Release and Airline Sign-off
After customs stamps the air waybill, the forwarder must:
- Obtain airline confirmation
- Submit finalized documents with the cargo
Only then does the shipment officially enter the air freight process.
6. Flight Transit and Tracking
For connecting flights, the forwarder will:
- Obtain subsequent flight details from airlines
- Provide real-time updates to sellers
- Address any transit exceptions promptly
7. Arrival Notification and Final Clearance
Upon arrival at the destination airport:
- The forwarder notifies the consignee
- The consignee presents original bills and clearance documents
- Goods clear customs and proceed to the Amazon FBA warehouse
With these steps completed, products are ready for listing and sale on Amazon's marketplace.