Sellers who use Amazon partnered carriers will require the following information before creating a shipment:*
*These requirements are subject to change based on guidelines provided by the UK government.
For small parcels, a maximum of 200 boxes can be created per shipment. If your small parcel shipment weighs more than 200 kg or contains more than 30 parcels, you might find that the partnered carrier pallet (LTL) option is less expensive than other shipping options. For pallets, partnered carriers do not require a minimum number to be shipped. For LTL, the maximum number of pallets per shipment is 26 for the UK and 33 for the European Union.
Starting January 1, 2021, shipments crossing the UK and the European Union border must go through export clearance in the country of dispatch and import clearance in the country of arrival.
Customs brokers act as either of the following:
Customs brokers must act as an indirect representative in cases when the importer or exporter is:
In other cases, the customs brokers usually act as a direct representative.
For small shipments, UPS can provide both direct and indirect representation for customs clearance. They can also collaborate with customs brokers, but this collaboration may result in handover fees (see the charges in the table below). See our Service provider network for broker options.
For pallet shipments, Kuehne+Nagel can provide direct representation only for customs clearance. If you require indirect representation, you must work with a third-party customs broker for customs clearance. See our Service provider network for broker options.
Amazon will not act as importer or exporter, or as a direct or indirect representative for your shipment.
The table below shows the breakdown of costs for partnered carrier shipments sent across the UK-EU border starting January 1, 2021. Note that the table is intended for guidance purposes only. Your shipment may be subject to additional charges, depending on: 1) whether you use a third-party customs broker for customs clearance, and 2) the quantity, declared value, dimensions and weight of the boxes or pallets, the address where the delivery originated and the destination fulfilment centre.
Delivery type | Partnered carrier small parcel | Partnered carrier pallet | |||||||
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Customs representation type | Indirect and direct | Indirect | Direct | ||||||
Cost type | Description | Charged by | Charged to | Charged by | Charged to | Charged by | Charged to | Charge Method | |
Transportation | Base cost for sending inventory from the seller warehouse to a fulfilment centre | Carrier (via Amazon payment account) | Seller | Carrier (via Amazon payment account) | Seller | Carrier (via Amazon payment account) | Seller | Seller Central shipment workflow | |
Duties | A charge imposed on import of goods | Customs authorities | Seller | Customs authorities | Seller | Customs authorities | Seller | Charged to seller if deferment account is provided. Otherwise, it is charged to UPS or the broker, who provides payment and then invoices the seller directly. | |
Taxes (including VAT) | A charge levied on the price of a product at point of entry | Customs authorities | Seller | Customs authorities | Seller | Customs authorities | Seller | Charged to seller if deferment account is provided. Otherwise, it is charged to UPS or the broker, who provides payment and then invoices the seller directly. | |
Brokerage fee | Service fee charged for clearing goods | UPS or customs broker | Seller (the cost is covered by Amazon OR the seller) | Customs broker | Seller | Kuehne+Nagel or customs broker | Seller (the cost is covered by Amazon OR the seller) | Amazon will cover brokerage fees for sellers using partnered carrier customs brokerage services from 1 January to 31 March 2021. Sellers must pay the brokerage fee starting 1 April 2021. Sellers using third-party customs brokers will be required to pay those fees separately. | |
Disbursement fee | Fee charged for service to pay customs duties and taxes on behalf of the seller | UPS or customs broker | Seller | Customs broker | Seller | Kuehne+Nagel or customs broker | Seller | Seller is invoiced directly by the partnered carrier or chosen customs broker. | |
Handover or liaison fee | Fee charged by partnered carrier to hand over customs clearance responsibilities to a third-party broker | UPS | Seller | Kuehne+Nagel | Seller (the cost is covered by Amazon) | Kuehne+Nagel | Seller (the cost is covered by Amazon) | From 1 January to 31 March 2021, Amazon will cover any handover or liaison fee charged by carriers for liaising with third-party customs brokers for partnered carrier pallet shipments only. Sellers must pay this fee starting 1 April 2021. |
We are helping to reduce the cost of cross-border FBA shipments between the UK and the European Union for sellers who use an Amazon partnered carrier. From 1 January to 31 March 2021, you can benefit in the following ways:
For more information, see Post-customs border promotion frequently asked questions.
Import tax and customs duties for goods imported into the European Union and into the UK are normally payable at the time of importation.
However, importers can defer payment by securing approval from the customs authorities of the importing country. To defer payment, you must provide security in the form of a guarantee from a bank or insurance company. The approval process and the requirements for duty and tax deferment differs by country. For UK guidance, see Apply for an account to defer duty payments when you import or release goods into Great Britain. For European Union countries, please visit the customs authorities website of the importing country. See the list of customs authorities websites for the European Union.
If you do not have a deferment account in place, your chosen partnered carrier or customs broker will typically pay taxes and duties for a given shipment on your behalf. They will then send you an invoice. In this case, the disbursement fee is charged by the customs broker.
You can use either a partnered carrier’s brokerage services or a nominated third-party broker for indirect customs clearance (indirect representation). However, we expect additional charges will apply for shipments that involve a third-party customs broker.
Small parcel shipments with UPS | Pallet shipments with Kuehne+Nagel | |
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What actions should I take before creating a partnered shipment starting January 1, 2021? |
Ensure all actions have been completed in the General frequently asked questions section above. You might want to contact UPS to create an occasional account. This is not a mandatory step before creating a shipment, but might help to expedite the process once you are ready to ship inventory. To set up an account, contact UPS via their website or contact the following: Imports:
Exports:
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Ensure all actions have been completed in the General frequently asked questions section above. You might want to contact Kuehne+Nagel to create a debtor account. This is not a mandatory step before creating a shipment, but might help to expedite the process once you are ready to ship inventory. To set up a debtor account, contact Kuehne+Nagel at amazon-fba.overland@kuehne-nagel.com. |
What is the purpose of setting up an account with the carrier? | UPS will require additional information to support the transportation of shipments across the UK customs border starting 1 January 2021, such as the VAT number or EORI. UPS sets up an occasional account to store that information so that it can be used for each shipment you send. We recommend doing this before you finalise your shipment to avoid pickup delays. | Kuehne+Nagel will require additional information from your business to support the transportation of shipments across the UK customs border starting 1 January 2021, such as the VAT number. Kuehne+Nagel sets up a debtor account to store that information so that it can be used for each shipment you send. We recommend doing this before you finalise your shipment to avoid pickup delays. |
Small parcel shipments with UPS | Pallet shipments with Kuehne+Nagel | |
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How do I create a partnered carrier shipment in Seller Central? |
The process for creating a UPS partnered carrier shipment will be the same as the current process. For more information on the process, see Amazon Partnered Carrier programme . |
The process for creating a Kuehne+Nagel partnered carrier shipment will be similar to the current process. For more information on the process, see Amazon Partnered Carrier programme . The difference for shipments sent across the UK border starting 1 January 2021, is that we recommend proactively contacting the carrier to arrange final details, instead of waiting to be contacted the day before pickup. This will help reduce the risk of delay in final shipment pickup and delivery. |
Can I use the same shipping labels? | Both the FBA and UPS box labels generated in the Seller Central workflow will continue to be valid for use on your partnered carrier shipments sent across the UK border starting January 1, 2021. |
FBA box and pallets labels generated in the Seller Central workflow will continue to be valid for use on your partnered carrier shipments sent across the UK border starting January 1, 2021. You should also print a label with the Amazon Reference Number (ARN) on each pallet, which is clearly visible. Your ARN can be found by using the following steps in Seller Central:
Note: The ARN will only be visible one day before the preview pickup date.
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Small parcel shipments with UPS | Pallet shipments with Kuehne+Nagel | |
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What actions should I take after I have confirmed my partnered carrier shipment in Seller Central? |
Once you have confirmed your shipment, you will have 24 hours to cancel it before you are charged. This is the same as the current process. See Amazon Partnered Carrier programme for more information. After confirming the shipment, you must:
Note: You might want to print and complete additional copies of all customs-related documentation for your own reference.
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Once you have confirmed your shipment, you will have one hour to cancel it before you are charged. This is the same as the current process. See Amazon Partnered Carrier programme for more information. After confirming the shipment, you must:
Note: You might want to print and complete additional copies of all customs-related documentation for your own reference.
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Where can I seek advice on completing these forms? | For best practices, see the supporting pages of each template. For additional support, contact UPS directly by visiting their website. | For best practices, see the customs clearance instructions for Kuehne+Nagel. For additional support, contact Kuehne+Nagel at amazon-fba.overland@kuehne-nagel.com. |
Small parcel shipments with UPS | Pallet shipments with Kuehne+Nagel | |
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What steps are involved in the customs clearance process? |
After your shipment is picked up, UPS will arrange export clearance in the country of dispatch and will deliver the shipment to the customs border of the country of arrival. UPS’ brokerage services will manage the clearance of your shipment, either directly (direct representation) or indirectly (indirect representation), or with the support of your nominated customs broker. UPS or the customs broker will contact you directly should any further information be required. |
After your shipment is picked up, Kuehne+Nagel will arrange export clearance in the country of dispatch and will deliver the shipment to the customs border of the country of arrival. Kuehne+Nagel’s brokerage services will manage the clearance of your shipment, either directly (direct representation) or indirectly (indirect representation) with the support of your nominated customs broker. Kuehne+Nagel or the customs broker will contact you directly should any further information be required. |
Small parcel shipments with UPS | Pallet shipments with Kuehne+Nagel | |
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Where can I track my shipment? | You will continue to be able to track your shipment on the Shipment events tab in the Seller Central FBA shipment workflow. You can also track your shipment on the UPS website. |
You will continue to be able to track your shipment on the Shipment events tab in the Seller Central FBA shipment workflow. You can also track your shipment on the Kuehne+Nagel website. |
I am having an issue with my shipment. Who should I contact? |
Raise a case with Selling Partner Support for any questions or issues not covered on this page, or the Amazon Partnered Carrier programme Help page. Alternatively, contact UPS directly by visiting their website or contact the following: Imports:
Exports:
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Raise a case with Selling Partner Support for any questions or issues not covered on this page, or the Amazon Partnered Carrier programme Help page. Alternatively, contact Kuehne+Nagel directly at amazon-fba.overland@kuehne-nagel.com. |