The China-to-FBA chain typically looks like: supplier production, factory inspection, export customs at a Chinese port, ocean or air freight, US customs clearance, warehouse delivery, FBA prep, and Amazon FC shipment.
Customs clearance in the US requires a customs bond, commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. For shipments over $2,500, a formal entry is required through a licensed customs broker.
Section 301 tariffs apply to most Chinese-origin goods imported into the US. Know your HS code and the applicable tariff rate before finalizing your landed cost model — tariff changes can swing unit economics significantly.
Route goods directly from the port to your prep center rather than through an intermediate storage facility. Each additional stop adds cost, handling risk, and time. A prep center with port pickup capability eliminates one of these steps.