Amazon SEND Program: What Sellers Need to Know About Cross-Border Shipping
Amazon's SEND program provides FBA sellers with integrated cross-border shipping through partner carriers, covering booking, label generation, customs clearance, and tracking — with costs deducted from sales proceeds.
Overview
Amazon's SEND program provides FBA sellers with an integrated cross-border shipping solution designed to simplify international inventory transfers. The program connects sellers with Amazon Partner Carriers (APCs) who handle international freight, customs clearance, and delivery to Amazon fulfillment centers in destination countries. Understanding the terms governing SEND is essential for any seller moving inventory across borders through Amazon's logistics network.
Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know
- Integrated shipping platform — SEND combines shipment booking, carrier label generation, and shipment tracking into a single workflow within Seller Central, reducing the need for separate freight forwarder arrangements.
- Amazon Partner Carriers (APCs) — Sellers choose from pre-vetted third-party carriers that Amazon has partnered with. Each APC has its own terms and conditions that sellers must accept when booking.
- You are the importer and exporter of record — Sellers bear full legal responsibility as both the Exporter of Record (EOR) at origin and Importer of Record (IOR) at destination. Amazon and its affiliates will not assume these roles.
- Costs deducted from sales proceeds — Amazon is authorized to pay APCs on your behalf and deduct shipping charges, customs duties, and taxes directly from your marketplace sales proceeds.
- Shipping cost estimates may vary — The rates shown at booking time are estimates. Actual costs can differ based on weight, dimensions, customs assessments, and other variables.
- Cancellation window applies — Booking orders can be modified or cancelled within 24 hours of confirmation or within the lead time specified in the APC terms. After that, changes are at the carrier's discretion and may incur fees.
How the SEND Program Works
When a seller books an international shipment through SEND, they select an eligible origin and destination country, choose an available Amazon Partner Carrier, and accept the carrier's terms along with a shipment cost estimate. Once the APC confirms acceptance, the booking order becomes binding under the SEND terms. The APC then arranges the full international shipping process including pickup, international freight, and customs clearance at the destination country, ultimately delivering inventory to the designated Amazon fulfillment center. Sellers must provide accurate information about their shipment including packing details, pickup times, and delivery preferences.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Sellers expanding internationally through FBA need to understand their legal responsibilities as importer and exporter of record, how shipping costs are deducted from proceeds, and the cancellation policies that govern cross-border shipments.
Key Takeaways
- Sellers are legally the Exporter of Record and Importer of Record — Amazon will not assume these roles
- Shipping and customs costs are deducted directly from your marketplace sales proceeds
- Booking cancellations must happen within 24 hours or the APC's specified lead time
- Never list Amazon as the importer on customs documents or the shipment will be refused
Recommended Actions
- →Review both Amazon SEND terms and individual APC terms before booking any cross-border shipments
- →Build cost buffers into pricing models since actual shipping charges may exceed initial estimates
- →Ensure all customs documentation lists your business — not Amazon — as the importer and exporter of record
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