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Anyone successful on FBA from outside the US?

by rumifdx
6 replies
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Hello everyone international warriors!

I wonder if any of you is or has been in the past in a situation similar to mine; I'll explain.

I'm based in Thailand and I've already sourced my products ready to be sold in the US market through the FBA program, but I'm still missing some piece of the puzzle:

I've got exactly #100 items, enough for a relatively-affordable market-test ($2,3 p/u with a 8-10X potential-markup).

Next thing I need to do is getting UPC codes and label every item I got with them; creation and optimization of my AZ listing is the next logical step and after that I'm supposed to..

send the products to the FBA warehouses, right?!

This last thing gives me some doubts:

Some experienced seller here on the forum highly recommended AGAINST sending directly to the FBA warehouses, but I honestly don't understand why.. Can some of you explain this to me? I mean I PHYSICALLY HAVE the products in my hands, I just need to wrap them up and send it: what's wrong with it?

Regarding the shipping:
Will the shipping courier handle of the US-import duties for me? If not, what's the best way to go around it? In my simple mind things were easy enough for me to just go to an DHL agency (or UPS, FedEx, etc.), fill some paper and pay, and that's it. Off it goes! But apparently there is something more than that. What is it exactly?

I'd really appreciate any feedback from you guys

Thanks for your help!

Best Regards


EDIT:This is what Amazon has to say about it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=200280570
Non-Resident Importers
Entry of goods into the United States may be made by a non-resident (foreign) IOR. To become a non-resident IOR, please contact your customs broker or carrier for details.

Customs Brokers
Customs brokers are private individuals or firms licensed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to prepare and file the necessary customs entries, arrange for the payment of duties owed, arrange for the release goods from CBP custody, and otherwise represent importers in customs matters.

To find a list of customs brokers, visit the "Locate a Port of Entry" section of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. Select the state you will be importing into, select the city, and then click the Brokers link below the city information. If you do not know what port you are shipping into, Fedex, UPS, DHL, Expeditors International, and Samuel Shapiro are familiar with Amazon policies and may be able to help.
#fba #successful
  • Profile picture of the author The Rich Brother
    I am not from US and i am sending products that i found in another us online store (like target) to FBA, i am in this business almost 2 years and i think that almost 95% of the products sold...

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  • Profile picture of the author DWaters
    This page from Amazon may help - http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=200240360
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    • Profile picture of the author rsykes
      Yes, you can do this quite easily. There are many threads on other sites detailing the requirements but just know that there are literally thousands of people doing this. You might Google "Barrington McIntosh" as a start.
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  • Profile picture of the author CellGuru
    Glad to see somebody doing it! yes it can be done and i'm doing it from India, so you can too.

    First up - you mention 100 pcs - is that 100 pcs of same SKU or different SKUS?

    When you create your shipment Amazon will most likely split it into 2-3 shipments and ask you to ship to designated warehouses. SO you are sending it to 2-3 different addresses.

    You don,t need to worry about customs clearance or possible Customs duty and Importer Of Record yet. Under formal clearance (When the Value of goods in a single shipment is over $2000) - thats when you need to figure out this. Smaller shipments - the carrier will handle it under carrier bill of entry and its almost seamless.

    Just ship the boxes directly to FBA warehouse through DHL/UPS/Fedex and opt for DDP ( Deliver Duty Paid) so if there are any customs duty its billed to you.
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    • Profile picture of the author rumifdx
      Thank you CellGuru
      I appreciate you taking the time
      You just nailed it: what most worries me is the custom-clearance issue, but thankfully I've got some good information about it, including your reassurance of someone else doing it from overseas!

      My #100 units are the same sku (no size/type/color difference for now;-)

      About Amazon requiring me to -eventually- split the shipment is something I never heard before, and I appreciate you mention it, but anyway I haven't created my shipment on Seller Central yet. As I said is #100 item weighing a total of 30kg, $250 wholesale-value: it shouldn't create any issues I guess..

      Best Regards
      Signature
      Where there's a will, there is a way
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    • Profile picture of the author AAYUSHGX
      Originally Posted by CellGuru View Post

      Glad to see somebody doing it! yes it can be done and i'm doing it from India, so you can too.

      First up - you mention 100 pcs - is that 100 pcs of same SKU or different SKUS?

      When you create your shipment Amazon will most likely split it into 2-3 shipments and ask you to ship to designated warehouses. SO you are sending it to 2-3 different addresses.

      You don,t need to worry about customs clearance or possible Customs duty and Importer Of Record yet. Under formal clearance (When the Value of goods in a single shipment is over $2000) - thats when you need to figure out this. Smaller shipments - the carrier will handle it under carrier bill of entry and its almost seamless.

      Just ship the boxes directly to FBA warehouse through DHL/UPS/Fedex and opt for DDP ( Deliver Duty Paid) so if there are any customs duty its billed to you.
      Hello CellGuru,

      I want to start selling on Amazon FBA, so wanted to ask is it ok to send my first few shipments through DHL without becoming an IOR?
      In this case who do I mention as consignee in the Invoice?
      SInce I will be sending in small shipments in the beginning (1-5 cartons), would it be ok to send them as commercial samples?
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