If you're new to selling on Amazon, getting your products from your supplier or warehouse into Amazon's fulfillment centers can feel overwhelming. That's where Amazon FBA inbound shipping comes in. It's the process of preparing, labeling, and sending your inventory to Amazon so they can store, pack, and ship your orders to customers.
This guide breaks down exactly how Amazon FBA inbound shipping works, the steps you need to follow, and the common mistakes that cost beginners time and money. Whether you're shipping your first 50 units or scaling to thousands, you'll learn how to do it right the first time.
By the end, you'll know how to create a shipping plan, choose between SPD and LTL shipments, prep your products correctly, and avoid the fees that eat into your profits.
Download our step-by-step checklist and launch your first product faster.
Download Free Guide →Amazon FBA inbound shipping is the system you use to send your inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers. Once your products arrive, Amazon stores them, picks and packs orders, and handles customer shipping and returns under the Prime program.
Here's what happens in the inbound process:
Why it matters: Mistakes in inbound shipping can lead to lost units, delayed check-in, FBA reimbursement issues, and unexpected fees. Amazon has strict rules around labeling, packaging, and box weight, and they will charge you for non-compliance.
For beginners, the key is to follow Amazon's guidelines exactly. Don't improvise. The system rewards sellers who ship clean, well-prepped, properly labeled inventory.
Your shipping plan tells Amazon what you're sending, how much, and where it's coming from. Creating it correctly prevents most beginner errors.
Step-by-step:
Beginner tip: Always double-check your unit count and dimensions. Wrong measurements can trigger overage fees or have your shipment flagged for inspection. If you're using Amazon's new Send to Amazon (STA) workflow, the process is more streamlined and saves you time on repeat shipments.
Once your plan is created, Amazon assigns destination warehouses. You may have to split your shipment across multiple fulfillment centers unless you opt into Inventory Placement Service (which charges a per-unit fee).
Choosing the right shipping mode saves money. Beginners often default to SPD, but LTL can be much cheaper for larger shipments.
Small Parcel Delivery (SPD):
Less Than Truckload (LTL):
Quick rule of thumb: If you have more than 10 boxes or one full pallet, get an LTL quote. Use Amazon's Partnered Carrier program for discounted UPS (SPD) and partnered LTL rates—these are often 30-70% cheaper than booking carriers yourself.
For your first few shipments, stick with SPD until you understand the process. Once your volume grows, switch to LTL to protect your margins.
Join thousands of students learning to build real Amazon FBA businesses.
Join Bubba Academy →Amazon has strict prep rules. If your products don't meet them, Amazon will either reject the shipment, charge you for prep, or lose units in the system.
Common prep requirements:
Labeling tips for beginners:
If you're sourcing from overseas, ask your supplier to apply FNSKU labels and prep at the factory. It's cheaper than paying a US prep center, and it gets your inventory to Amazon faster.
Most beginner errors are preventable. Here are the most expensive mistakes and how to dodge them.
1. Wrong box weight or dimensions Amazon charges based on declared weight. Underestimating leads to billing adjustments. Overestimating means you overpay. Use a calibrated scale.
2. Missing or incorrect labels A missing FNSKU label is the #1 reason units go missing. Label every single unit.
3. Boxes over 50 lbs without a heavy-package label Standard boxes max out at 50 lbs. Anything heavier needs a "Team Lift" sticker and may incur extra fees.
4. Mixing SKUs in case-packed shipments Case-packed means one SKU per box. If you mix products, switch to individual shipments.
5. Ignoring Amazon's restricted products list Some categories (batteries, hazmat, supplements) have extra documentation. Check before you ship.
6. Not tracking your shipment Always save tracking numbers and BOLs. If Amazon claims they didn't receive units, you'll need proof of delivery to get reimbursed.
Pro tip: Take photos of your boxes before sealing them. If a unit goes missing, photo evidence speeds up reimbursement claims.
Amazon FBA inbound shipping isn't complicated once you understand the workflow. Create your shipping plan in Seller Central, choose between SPD and LTL based on volume, prep and label your products to Amazon's exact specs, and avoid the common mistakes that cost beginners money.
The sellers who scale fastest are the ones who treat inbound shipping as a system, not a chore. Build a checklist, use Amazon's Partnered Carriers for discounted rates, and consider a prep center once your volume grows.
Your next step: Log into Seller Central, click Send/Replenish Inventory, and walk through a test shipment using the Send to Amazon workflow. The faster you get hands-on, the faster you'll master the process.
Amazon FBA inbound shipping is the process of sending your products from your supplier or warehouse to an Amazon fulfillment center. Once your inventory arrives, Amazon stores it and handles packing, shipping, and customer service when orders come in. You create a shipping plan in Seller Central to start the process.
Costs vary based on weight, size, distance, and carrier, but most beginners pay between $0.30 and $1.50 per pound using Amazon's partnered carriers. Amazon offers discounted UPS and freight rates that are usually cheaper than booking shipping yourself. Always compare partnered carrier rates with outside freight forwarders before shipping large quantities.
Once your shipment arrives at the fulfillment center, check-in usually takes 1 to 6 business days, though it can stretch to 2 weeks during peak season. Your inventory becomes available for sale only after it's fully received and scanned. You can track progress in the "Shipment Summary" inside Seller Central.
You only need a freight forwarder if you're importing products from overseas, like from China. For domestic shipments, Amazon's partnered carriers (UPS or freight) are usually enough. A freight forwarder handles customs clearance, ocean or air freight, and delivery to Amazon's warehouse.
Every product needs an FNSKU label (unless it's commingled), and every box needs a shipment label printed from Seller Central. If you're sending pallets, you'll also need 4 pallet labels (one per side). Skipping or mislabeling can cause delays, fees, or rejected shipments.