How to Create an Amazon FBA Shipment: A Step-by-Step Guide (2024)
Streamline Your FBA Process: A Clear Guide to Creating Shipment Plans
Navigating Amazon’s Seller Central to create your first FBA shipment can feel daunting. A single misstep can lead to delays, misplaced inventory, or unexpected fees. This clear, step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring your products are correctly labeled and on their way to the fulfillment center without a hitch. Master the fundamentals and ship with confidence.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your FBA Shipment
Step 1: Create a Listing & Choose Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
Begin by creating a new product listing in your Seller Central account.
While filling out the Offer details, navigate to the “Fulfillment Channel” section.
Select “Amazon (FBA)” to enroll the product in the program. The system will automatically generate a unique FNSKU (Amazon’s barcode identifier) for your listing.
Step 2: Initiate the Shipping Plan
Go to your Inventory > Manage Inventory page.
Locate the product(s) you wish to send to Amazon. Select the checkbox next to them.
From the “Action on [X] selected” dropdown, choose “Send/Replenish Inventory.”
Step 3: Configure Shipment Details
You will now be guided through the “Send to Amazon” workflow.
Set Quantity: Enter the number of units you are shipping.
Prepare Products: Confirm your products are not hazardous or require special preparation.
Label Products: This is a critical step. You will be prompted to print the FNSKU product labels. Apply one label to each unit. Use a dedicated label printer or ensure labels are printed clearly on adhesive paper.
Step 4: Approve Shipment & Choose Shipping Method
After printing labels, continue to “Approve Shipment.”
You will now select who will handle the transportation:
Amazon-Partnered Carrier: Let Amazon arrange the pickup and shipping. This is often simpler and provides integrated tracking.
Other Carrier: You arrange your own freight (e.g., using your own freight forwarder).
Pro Tip: When selecting a shipping method:
For air courier (like UPS/FedEx), select SPD (Small Parcel Delivery).
For less-than-truckload (LTL) sea or air freight, select LTL.
Step 5: Enter Box Content Information
Specify if your products are packed in one single box or multiple boxes.
For each box, you must accurately enter:
Packaging Type (e.g., your own box)
Box Weight
Box Dimensions
This data is crucial for calculating shipping costs and generating the required FBA Box Labels.
Step 6: Review & Ship
Review all shipment details carefully.
Print the FBA Box Labels (the shipping labels for your boxes) and affix them to the outside of each corresponding box.
Click “Complete Shipment.”
The system will generate a Shipment ID and provide the destination Amazon Fulfillment Center address.
Final Step: Provide Tracking Information
Once your boxes are picked up by the carrier, return to the shipment in Seller Central and enter the provided tracking numbers. This is essential for monitoring your shipment’s status within Amazon’s system.
Need Expert Help with Your FBA Logistics?
Creating the shipment is just the first step. Navigating international shipping, customs, and ensuring your inventory is optimized across Amazon’s global network is where the real challenge lies.
We specialize in seamless FBA preparation, freight, and compliance, saving you time and preventing costly errors. Focus on growing your sales—we’ll handle the logistics.