Overview

Post‑pandemic Amazon sellers have witnessed record sales, yet the cost of sourcing and the time it takes for goods to travel from China have risen sharply. In a recent interview with Ümit Martin of Unicon Logistics, the current pressures on international freight and practical workarounds for sellers were examined. Understanding these new dynamics is essential for anyone importing from Asia to protect margins and keep inventory flowing.

Key Points

• Rising expense — Shipping and manufacturing fees out of China have climbed to levels that erode profit margins for many categories.
• Extended transit — The typical door‑to‑Amazon‑warehouse window now stretches several weeks longer than pre‑2020 norms, increasing the risk of inventory obsolescence.
• Hybrid logistics — Unicon Logistics now offers combined air‑and‑sea routes that give sellers flexibility based on volume and urgency.
• Supply‑chain diversification — Adding factories in Vietnam, India or Mexico helps spread risk and can shorten lead times.
• Digital planning tools — Modern forecasting and real‑time tracking platforms let sellers align order quantities with tighter delivery windows.
• Eco‑pressure — Growing environmental regulations and consumer expectations are pushing merchants toward lower‑carbon transport options.

How Shipping Costs and Lead Times Are Changing

1. Sea‑freight price surge — Container shortages and higher fuel costs have forced carriers to raise rates dramatically. A mid‑size electronics supplier reported paying more than twice the pre‑pandemic price for a standard 40‑foot container.
2. Air freight as a stop‑gap — Because ocean shipments now take longer, many sellers resort to costly air freight to meet seasonal peaks. A toy manufacturer used air cargo to secure 30 % of its holiday inventory in time for the December rush.
3. Unicon’s hybrid model — The firm moves high‑priority pallets by air to a Southeast Asian hub, then ships the bulk of the load by sea to the final destination, cutting overall cost roughly in half and shaving about 20 % off transit time. A clothing brand first flew a small batch to Singapore, then sent the remaining containers to Los Angeles by vessel.