Amazon Shipping Costs, Import Duties, and Delivery Timelines

Amazon Shipping Costs, Import Duties, and Delivery Timelines

If you’re sourcing products from China and selling through Amazon FBA in the U.S., understanding shipping costs, import duties, and delivery timelines is crucial.

Why? Because these factors directly impact:

• Your profit margins

• Your launch schedule

• And your ability to stay in stock and compete

But for most first-time sellers, logistics can feel like a black box.

What’s the difference between air freight and sea freight?
How much should you budget for customs duties?
And how long will it really take to go from factory floor to FBA warehouse?

In this guide, we’ll break it all down—so you can plan smarter, avoid costly surprises, and keep your supply chain running smoothly.

Table of Contents

1. Amazon FBA Costs Once Inventory Arrives

2. Shipping Methods and Delivery Timelines

3. Understanding Incoterms and Freight Forwarding

4. U.S. Import Duties: What You’ll Pay

5. Timeline: From China to Amazon Shelf

6. Flapen’s Best Practices for New Sellers

7. Final Thoughts

1. Amazon FBA Costs Once Inventory Arrives

When your inventory arrives at an Amazon fulfillment center, you start paying three types of fees: Referral Fees, Fulfillment Fees, and Storage Fees.

🧾 Referral Fee (Per Sale)

Amazon takes a percentage of your selling price as commission.

• Typical rate: 15%

• Minimum fee: $0.30 per unit

• Example: If your item sells for $25, Amazon keeps ~$3.75

📦 Fulfillment Fee (FBA)

Covers picking, packing, shipping, and customer service. Based on weight and size, not price.

📦 Monthly Storage Fees

Amazon charges based on cubic feet of storage.

💡 Storage fees spike in Q4—avoid overstocking unless you’re running heavy sales.

Other Amazon Fees to Know:

• Returns Processing: $2–$5 per unit (category-dependent)

• Labeling Fee: $0.55/unit (if Amazon applies FNSKU labels)

• Removal Fee: ~$0.97/unit to remove unsold inventory

2. Shipping Methods and Delivery Timelines

Choosing the right shipping method depends on your budget, inventory volume, and urgency.

Most sellers start with air for small launch orders, then switch to sea freight for restocks.

3. Understanding Incoterms and Freight Forwarding

🔄 Incoterms Explained

These shipping terms define who is responsible for what in the delivery process.

✅ We recommend DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) for new sellers—simpler, safer, and fewer surprises.

🤝 Freight Forwarders

Freight forwarders coordinate the full process:

• Pickup from the supplier

• Shipping and customs

• Final delivery to Amazon

Look for forwarders experienced with FBA, and always ask if they offer DDP service.

4. U.S. Import Duties: What You’ll Pay

When goods arrive in the U.S., you’ll owe customs duties and taxes based on your product’s classification.

🇺🇸 Base Duty Rates

Depends on the product’s HS code.

🧾 China Tariffs (Section 301)

Many Chinese goods are subject to an additional 7.5%–25% tariff.

Example:

• Product value: $5,000

• Base duty: 5% = $250

• Tariff (25%): $1,250

• Total duty: $1,500

• Additional fees (MPF, HMF): ~$50

• Total import cost: ~$1,550

✅ Ask your freight forwarder or customs broker to confirm your product’s HS code and duty rate before shipping.

5. Timeline: From China to Amazon Shelf

Here’s how long each stage typically takes:

🕐 Total time from order to live listing:

• Air: 5–7 weeks

• Sea: 9–12 weeks

📦 Always buffer your timeline—especially before Q4, Prime Day, or any major restock.

6. Flapen’s Best Practices for Shipping and Importing

Whether you're shipping 300 or 3,000 units, here’s how we protect our clients’ shipments and margins:

✅ Use DDP shipping for first orders to avoid customs headaches
✅ Work with freight forwarders who specialize in Amazon FBA
✅ Confirm labeling, carton limits, and shipment IDs with your supplier
✅ Budget 25–30% of landed cost for duties and freight
✅ Build a shipment tracker to coordinate with your Amazon launch schedule
✅ Always allow buffer time for inspections and Amazon delays

Final Thoughts

Shipping to Amazon isn’t just about getting your product from A to B—it’s about:

• Protecting your profit margin

• Staying in stock

• Launching on time without delays or unexpected costs

When you understand how Amazon shipping, import duties, and timelines work, you can plan ahead, price smarter, and avoid costly missteps.

At Flapen, we help new Amazon sellers navigate the full journey—from supplier to warehouse—with sourcing, shipping, and prep handled for you.