Overview

Amazon’s Freight Forwarder service connects U.S. sellers with a curated network of logistics providers that move inventory from overseas factories straight to Amazon fulfillment centers. The program, rolled out to U.S. sellers in early 2023, now supports major source countries such as China, Vietnam and India, giving sellers a single portal to handle shipping, customs and Amazon‑specific inbound requirements. Mastering the workflow can cut lead times, lower landed‑cost surprises and keep inventory aligned with Amazon’s strict inbound standards.

Key Points

• One‑stop logistics hub — Sellers select ocean, air or rail options from Amazon‑approved forwarders without needing separate contracts for each carrier.
• Customs paperwork managed — The forwarder prepares import declarations, pays duties and satisfies Amazon’s entry criteria, dramatically reducing the chance of customs holds.
• Small‑batch consolidation — Even sellers moving only a few hundred units can join a shared container, unlocking full‑container‑load (FCL) pricing that would otherwise require a full shipment.
• Live shipment visibility — Amazon’s dashboard shows real‑time status from factory pickup, through port handling, to dock receipt at the destination fulfillment center.
• Up‑front cost breakdown — All freight, insurance and handling fees appear in a single quote, allowing sellers to compare the Amazon‑partner price against independent broker estimates.
• Built‑in compliance — Forwarders are pre‑qualified to meet Amazon’s labeling, packaging and prep rules, which lowers the risk of inbound rejections and associated fees.

How Amazon FBA Freight Forwarding Works

1. Create a shipment plan — In Seller Central, the seller defines the SKUs, quantities and the specific Amazon fulfillment centers that will receive the stock. Example: A vendor selling 500 yoga mats splits the order between the Newark, NJ and Dallas, TX fulfillment centers to balance East‑ and West‑coast demand.

2. — The system displays a shortlist of Amazon‑vetted freight partners, each with an estimated freight charge, transit time and service type. : The seller chooses “GlobalShip” for a 30‑day ocean lane because its quoted rate of $1,200 is 12 % lower than the next competitor.