How Amazon's SEND Program Lets Sellers Ship FBA Inventory from China to the US
Amazon's SEND program enables sellers to ship FBA and AWD inventory from China to US fulfillment centers through an integrated Seller Central workflow, handling carrier booking, customs clearance, and delivery in one streamlined process.
Overview
Amazon's SEND (Shipping Easy, No Drama) program provides a streamlined way for sellers to ship Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) inventory from China directly to US fulfillment centers. The program bundles carrier selection, customs clearance, and delivery into a single integrated workflow within Seller Central, making international shipping significantly more accessible for sellers who source products from Chinese manufacturers.
Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know
- End-to-end logistics handling — Once a partnered carrier picks up your shipment in China, they manage the entire process from customs clearance at both origin and destination to final delivery at a US fulfillment center.
- No separate carrier accounts required — Sellers can book shipments, enter customs documentation, schedule pickups, and pay freight charges directly within Seller Central without needing to set up external carrier accounts or undergo credit checks.
- Amazon-negotiated shipping rates — The program offers pre-negotiated rates through Amazon's carrier partnerships, with seamless integrated payment processing.
- Pickup or drop-off options — Sellers can schedule door-to-door pickup from their location in China or arrange a drop-off at a carrier facility.
- Full shipment tracking — Shipment status can be monitored within Seller Central by navigating to the shipment tracking section and viewing events by shipment ID.
How the SEND Shipping Process Works
Sellers access the SEND program through the standard FBA shipment creation workflow in Seller Central. After selecting the ship-from address in China, the system presents available partnered carriers based on that location. Sellers add inventory to the shipment by choosing from their available FBA SKUs, which can be packed as single-SKU case packs or as individual units. For sellers who regularly ship the same products, Seller Central supports up to three case pack templates per SKU, saving time on future shipments by storing packing, prep, and labeling details.
On the shipping page, sellers select the SEND program and view the assigned destination fulfillment centers in the US. After entering the ship date, choosing between pickup or drop-off service, and providing export license information, the system displays estimated shipping costs along with available carriers and shipping modes.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Sellers sourcing products from China can use the SEND program to simplify international shipping logistics, avoid managing separate freight forwarders and customs brokers, and potentially reduce costs through Amazon-negotiated carrier rates.
Key Takeaways
- The SEND program handles end-to-end logistics from China to US fulfillment centers, including customs clearance at both origin and destination
- No separate carrier accounts or credit checks are needed — everything is managed within Seller Central
- Shipping fee estimates don't include customs duties or taxes, so sellers should budget for additional costs beyond the quoted freight charges
- Since January 2024, inbound placement options affect total logistics fees, so sellers should evaluate placement choices carefully
Recommended Actions
- →Review available SEND carriers and their payment methods (online vs. offline) before creating shipments to understand billing expectations
- →Prepare all required customs documentation — EOR number, company details in China, US importer information — before starting the shipment workflow
- →Compare SEND program rates against your current freight forwarder costs to determine which option is more cost-effective for your shipment volumes
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