Amazon Fulfillment Features, Services, Fees and Customs Clearance Guide
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) not only provides sellers with a series of services such as storage, packaging and delivery of orders, but also involves an important link in international logistics – customs clearance. This article will integrate the functions, services and fees of Amazon Logistics, and discuss the customs clearance process and its related fees, aiming to help sellers better understand and utilize Amazon Logistics services.
Amazon Fulfillment Function
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) covers a number of services designed to help sellers manage and grow their businesses efficiently. Main functions include but are not limited to:
- Selling Globally: Sellers can easily expand their global marketplace through tools in Fulfillment by Amazon and their selling accounts.
- Partnered Shipper Program: This program allows shippers to enjoy higher discount rates when shipping inventory to Amazon.
- Multi-channel fulfillment: Take advantage of Amazon’s fulfillment network even if your order comes from a non-Amazon channel.
- Logistics Labeling Service: Add barcode labels to inventory for easier tracking and management.
- Repackaging Service: Returning returned merchandise to salable condition.
- Inventory allocation service: Help sellers optimize inventory distribution.
- Manual Processing Services: Resolve inventory entry issues where details are not provided.
Service details
In addition to the above basic functions, Amazon also provides additional service options:
- Unscheduled Service Fee: Additional service for inventory that has not been properly prepped or tagged.
- Cancellation Fee: A fee to process a return or destroy inventory.
Logistics costs
The fee structure of Amazon Logistics is relatively complex, mainly including the following aspects:
- Delivery fee: Charged based on product type, size and weight.
- Warehouse charges: Charged on a monthly basis based on the space occupied by the product.
- Customs clearance service fees: Although Amazon itself does not provide customs clearance services, sellers can complete this process through FBA first-leg service, and the fees vary depending on the specific situation.
International logistics customs clearance process
For cross-border e-commerce, it is crucial to understand and master the correct customs clearance process. Customs clearance for Amazon International Logistics usually includes the following steps:
- Submit trade information: Complete customs clearance declarations accurately.
- Customs audit: Submit relevant supporting documents for review.
- Pay duties and taxes: Pay the corresponding taxes and fees based on the attributes of the product.
- Customs Clearance and Release: After completing the above steps, the goods can be released.
Customs clearance methods
There are four common customs clearance methods:
- Self-service customs clearance: Suitable for sellers who are familiar with relevant regulations.
- Third-party customs clearance service: Entrust a professional company to handle it and pay a service fee.
- Customs clearance by logistics companies: Provided in conjunction with transportation services.
- Amazon FBA Service: Simplify the process with the full range of solutions provided by Amazon.
Coping with customs clearance returns
When encountering customs clearance and return, sellers can choose:
- Return to shipping address.
- Return to the specified address.
- Abandon the goods directly.
Each option has its pros and cons, and sellers need to make the best decision based on the actual situation.
To sum up, Amazon Logistics not only provides a wealth of service options to meet the needs of different sellers, but also faces complex international logistics challenges. Through reasonable planning and utilization of existing resources, sellers can effectively reduce operating costs and improve customer satisfaction.