Ship to USA with Amazon courier
Hi everyone,
We would like to use the FBA program in the USA, sending pallets of goods from Italy. This operation could be done completely with Amazon (as now happens with the Pan-European program) or should we rely on our contract with a courier?
This is because if Amazon took care of everything (including duties and customs) it would be very convenient, since we should simply prepare the goods here in Italy.
Alternatively, we should make a contract with a courier (FEDEX, TNT or UPS), ship the goods to America and then maybe have it shipped to some warehouse before sending it to Amazon stores.
In addition, as it is not an expedition with the Amazon courier but an our courier, it would take the booking of the unloading and all the various problems that often emerge from shipping without the Amazon Courier.
Ship to USA with Amazon courier
Hi everyone,
We would like to use the FBA program in the USA, sending pallets of goods from Italy. This operation could be done completely with Amazon (as now happens with the Pan-European program) or should we rely on our contract with a courier?
This is because if Amazon took care of everything (including duties and customs) it would be very convenient, since we should simply prepare the goods here in Italy.
Alternatively, we should make a contract with a courier (FEDEX, TNT or UPS), ship the goods to America and then maybe have it shipped to some warehouse before sending it to Amazon stores.
In addition, as it is not an expedition with the Amazon courier but an our courier, it would take the booking of the unloading and all the various problems that often emerge from shipping without the Amazon Courier.
40 replies
Seller_EJIX7rqDNQJi2
Amazon will not take a care of anything, as they don’t offer partnered carrier shipping for non-US based merchants.
You will need to arrange shipping into the USA FBA on your own. This also includes making an agreement with the carrier, such as FedEx to deal with the customs on your behalf. An EORI number will be necessary for exporting outside of the Single Market.
Seller_wqciCXuQbNS4p
In addition to Kika’s words of wisdom, you should also be aware that using the FBA programme in the US, you will potentially be responsible for registering and remitting sales tax in the US for which you should seek professional advice.
It’s a bit of a minefield to be honest.
Seller_wqciCXuQbNS4p
Should also add though, that if you can get it right, it’s an extremely lucrative marketplace. Very competitive but the volumes can make it worthwhile.
We ship direct from Asia using the US office of our UK forwarder, and top up from the UK.
Be warned though that dependent on product, the rate of duty may be punitive.
Seller_EJIX7rqDNQJi2
Non-US sellers with no physical presence are not required to pay there any tax.
The General Rule: Physical Presence in the State
- having a warehouse in the state
- having a store in the state
- having an office in the state, or
- having a sales representative in the state.
Storing inventory in FBA is not counted as a warehouse, it would have to be owned by you or your company.
This topic was discussed on the Amazon USA Seller Forums numerous times so I’m confident about the correctness of the information.
Also, I have been doing FBA in the USA for years.
Seller_saK5Ah2SaNYjL
We had a (MFN) sale in California today and I noticed that Amazon added sales tax to the order that the customer had to pay. It didn’t make any difference the to the proceeds that we received.
Will they do this with FBA sales as well?
We haven’t sent any FBA stock to the USA yet. I wanted to sell MFN first and see what would be popular. I’ve also registered for a USTPO trademark and I don’t want to send any stock until we have brand registry in the USA. That’s a whole other topic. Sorry!
