How to create FBA shipment plans on Amazon

Author:

Creating an FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) shipment plan involves organizing and sending your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. A shipment plan ensures that your inventory is received, stored, and processed correctly. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating an FBA shipment plan:

1. Log in to Amazon Seller Central

  1. Go to Amazon Seller Central.
  2. Enter your credentials to log in to your seller account.

2. Access the “Send to Amazon” Workflow

  1. From the Inventory tab, click “Manage Inventory.”
  2. Select the products you want to ship to Amazon.
  3. Click “Send/Replenish Inventory” in the drop-down menu.

3. Choose Your Shipping Workflow

Amazon provides two shipping workflows. Choose one based on your preference:

  1. Send to Amazon Workflow (Recommended):
    • Designed for simplified inventory replenishment.
    • Allows you to create reusable templates for future shipments.
  2. Send/Replenish Inventory Workflow:
    • Offers more granular control over your shipment details.

For beginners, the Send to Amazon workflow is easier to navigate.

4. Select Your Inventory Source

Amazon needs to know where your inventory is coming from:

  1. Ship From Address:
    • Enter the address where the products are currently located (e.g., your warehouse or supplier).
    • Save this address for future use if needed.

5. Confirm Product Details

Amazon will display the products you selected in Step 2. Verify the following details for each product:

  • Quantity: Enter the number of units you want to send.
  • Condition: Confirm the product condition (e.g., new, used).
  • Prep Guidance: Check if any specific preparation is required (e.g., polybagging, bubble wrap).

If you’re unsure about prep requirements, refer to Amazon’s FBA Product Prep Requirements page in Seller Central.

6. Label Your Products

  1. Print Labels:
    • Amazon will generate barcodes (FNSKUs) for each product.
    • Download and print the labels using a laser or label printer.
  2. Apply Labels:
    • Affix the labels directly over existing barcodes (e.g., UPC or EAN codes).
    • Ensure the labels are scannable and placed flat on the packaging.

Tip: You can opt for Amazon’s Labeling Service if you don’t want to label the products yourself.

7. Choose Packaging Type

  1. Individual Products:
    • Use this option if your shipment contains multiple SKUs or varying quantities.
  2. Case-Packed Products:
    • Choose this if all units in a box are identical and of the same quantity.

8. Prepare Shipment Details

Shipping Settings:

  • Shipment Type:
    • Select Small Parcel Delivery (SPD) for boxes shipped via courier (e.g., UPS, FedEx).
    • Select Less Than Truckload (LTL) for larger shipments on pallets.

Packaging Details:

  • Enter the box dimensions (length, width, height) and weight.
  • Ensure the box does not exceed Amazon’s maximum size and weight limits (e.g., 50 lbs per box unless labeled “Team Lift”).

Carrier Selection:

  • Choose a carrier:
    • Amazon-Partnered Carrier Program (discounted rates and integrated tracking).
    • Non-Partnered Carrier (e.g., your own shipping provider).

9. Generate and Print Shipping Labels

  1. After entering your shipment details, Amazon will create shipping labels for each box.
  2. Download and print the labels.
  3. Affix the labels securely to each box. Place one label on the top and one on the side.

10. Finalize and Ship

  1. Review your shipment plan to ensure all details are accurate.
  2. Confirm and complete the shipment in Seller Central.
  3. Drop off the shipment at your chosen carrier or schedule a pickup.

11. Monitor Shipment Status

Once the shipment is sent, track its progress in “Manage FBA Shipments” in Seller Central:

  • Status Updates:
    • In Transit: The shipment is on its way to the fulfillment center.
    • Delivered: The shipment has arrived at the fulfillment center.
    • Checked-In: Amazon has started processing your shipment.
    • Receiving: Inventory is being added to your stock.

Additional Tips

  1. Optimize Inventory Placement:
    • Amazon may split your shipment to multiple fulfillment centers. Be prepared for this and label products accordingly.
  2. Use Shipment Templates:
    • Save time by creating templates for frequently shipped products or configurations.
  3. Ensure Compliance:
    • Follow Amazon’s prep, labeling, and shipping guidelines to avoid delays or additional fees.

By following these steps, you can create efficient FBA shipment plans and streamline the process of sending inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Proper preparation ensures smoother operations and helps you maintain a strong selling performance on the platform.

Categories: Digital Marketing