02 Nov 5 Essential Steps To Importing Products To Amazon
Importing products from abroad and selling them on Amazon is a very lucrative and popular business mode. However there are also obstacles in the way that, if left ignored, could cause some incredibly frustrating and costly problems.
Follow our 5 essential steps to importing products to Amazon warehouses to eliminate any hassle and maximise productivity.
Do Your Research:
When importing products into the United States, it is vital that you do your research and prepare all documentation and certification required. Checking your product’s Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) – a six digit code classifying goods for custom purposes – is a sure way to easily identify the documentation that you need.
Let’s take a look at some examples of products that require documentation and certification:
- Hazardous materials such as liquids, powders, batteries and creams need to be accompanied by a Material Safety Data Sheet
- Products that use Bluetooth technology need to be registered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Medical related products need a FDA registration.
Choose The Ideal Transportation Method:
The method of delivery from your supplier to the warehouse will vary depending on how many products you are shipping, how soon you need the products, and your budget.
There are three main methods of shipping products form your supplier: FCL (full container Load), LCL (less container load) and by air. Transportation by air is typically the most expensive, but also the fastest. On the other hand, transportation by FCL or LCL is by sea, which means it will be cheaper but much more time consuming.
Complete Amazon’s Shipment Plan:
When creating a shipment plan with Amazon FBA, you will need to ensure that you input all the correct information.
The “ship from” address should always be the location of the warehouse where the products will be picked up from before being delivered to Amazon’s warehouses.
The “final delivery method” is the transportation method in which your products will be delivered to the Amazon fulfilment centre. As part of the shipment plan, sellers are also provided shipment labels for the products – saving the seller money and time.
Fully Prepare Your Products For Amazon:
Any products shipped to Amazon require some labels in order to be accepted. These include FBA carton labels and FNSKY labels. The ideal way to ensure your products are ready for Amazon is to request your supplier to apply FBA carton labels themselves from origin.
Ensure That Your Products Are Ready For Customs:
When going through customs, products are examined via an intensive exam, tailgate and x-ray. In order for your products to pass the exams smoothly, there are a couple of things that you need.
The first thing that is required is the necessary documentation that we mentioned earlier, as well as the ‘Commercial Invoice (CI). The information on the CI should be completely accurate, matching the relevant fields on the packing list.
You should also be sure that all products are correctly classified as according to the HTS codes for customs purposes. Correctly classifying your products by their HTS codes is essential in calculating any duty rates and charges. If you need any support, a customs broker is always available to provide assistance.
It’s important to note that there is a chance that your shipment may undergo a customs exam – a process that is completely random and unavoidable. Any costs related to the random exam must be paid by the importer. In order to decrease the chances of having a customs exam (thus avoiding any related costs), be sure to complete all the documentation required.
Overall, those were 5 essential steps for sellers shipping their products to Amazon warehouses. Following these steps carefully will ensure that the process of importing products and selling them in your country goes incredibly smoothly and efficiently – reducing the amount of hassle and time-wasting for you and your business.