Alibaba is one of the best places to find products for your online business. Actually, it might be quite easy and profitable for a business to use Alibaba to Amazon FBA.
The entire process of shipping items to the Amazon FBA warehouse might seem quite complicated to a new Amazon seller. You can find all the answers to the queries a new Amazon seller could have in our comprehensive guide. This guide will help you with shipping your items from Alibaba to Amazon FBA, regardless of your country of origin or the location of your preferred Amazon marketplace.
Contents
- What is Alibaba?
- What is Amazon FBA?
- How to Buy From Alibaba and Sell on Amazon FBA?
- Shipping From Alibaba to Amazon FBA
- Get Your Amazon Listing Ready
- FAQs
- Final Words
What is Alibaba?
Alibaba is an online marketplace that connects manufacturers mainly from China and other countries with wholesalers, retailers, and other businesses globally in just a few clicks. Therefore, Alibaba has made it easy to get in touch with manufacturers if you are a business owner searching for items from abroad or even custom-made products that meet your specifications at a competitive price.
What is Amazon FBA?
Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a program that helps Amazon sellers outsource fulfillment processes to Amazon. You can enroll inventory in FBA to store products in Amazon fulfillment centers. When customers place orders, Amazon can pack, ship, and provide customer service for the FBA items.
FBA also has tools and sub-programs to optimize your operations and meet specific business goals, such as Remote Fulfillment with FBA, which lets you fulfill orders in other countries with inventory in the United States.
How to Buy From Alibaba and Sell on Amazon FBA?
Alibaba to Amazon FBA is the best option for anyone looking to launch an online business. It simply does not include the hassle of storing and shipping items. Let us see the process involved in purchasing products from Alibaba and selling on Amazon FBA.
Product Research
The first step in the entire selling process is to identify the right product. Your main objective for the research should be to identify items that have a great potential to generate high-volume sales. You should be able to buy it for a cheaper price and resell it for a profit.
Keep an eye on the items of your competitors and the Amazon Best Seller lists for further insights. Focus on market segments for items that are not oversaturated to avoid competing with several other sellers. Particularly if you are a new seller, try to find a gap in the market. As a result, your journey from Alibaba to Amazon will be easier.
Pricing
Calculate all associated costs, such as product price, shipping fees, import duties, and taxes. In order to determine your profit margin, you must deduct your costs from the sale price.
Intellectual Property Rights
Ensuring that the products you are selling do not violate any intellectual property rights is your responsibility as a seller. Your Amazon seller account may be suspended if you violate these guidelines.
Alibaba is not a reliable products source for licensed or branded products, so avoid ordering branded products from them. It is unlawful and may lead to account suspension to sell unauthorized or counterfeit items on Amazon.
Find a Supplier
Search for a reliable supplier on Alibaba after you have decided on your product. All you need to do is type the product name into the homepage search box. This will show a list of suppliers who offer products that match your search criteria.
If you come across a product you like, you may click on it to view all the details about it, including the source. Filter your search results by selecting “Gold Supplier” and “Trade Assurance.” Gold Suppliers are premium members of Alibaba, while Trade Assurance offers protection for buyers by ensuring on-time delivery and product quality. Review the profiles of your shortlisted suppliers to find out more about their business.
Negotiate and Order Samples
Request samples from multiple suppliers so you can evaluate product quality firsthand. Engage in price and terms negotiations with suppliers to ensure favorable terms and competitive prices for your business.
Labeling and Packaging
If you are creating a private label product, you will need a logo. Provide the supplier with your logo via email so they can create a mockup of it on your package. You also need to make sure that your product’s label and packaging have all the necessary safety information.
Place Your Order
After deciding on a supplier, place your order and work out the details of the deal. Prior to payment, get a written agreement to ensure that the supplier meets their obligations.
Make the Payment
Alibaba offers several methods for suppliers to get paid. These include:
- Credit Card
- Bank Transfer
- Letter of Credit
- PayPal
- Escrow
- Trade Assurance
Shipping From Alibaba to Amazon FBA
After deciding on a supplier and submitting an order, the next step is to schedule the shipment of your products from Alibaba to Amazon FBA. There are two primary shipping options:
Air Shipping
Although this method is expensive, it is faster. It works well for high-value, lightweight items or when you need to quickly restock your inventory.
Sea Shipping
This approach is more economical but slower. It is appropriate for large, heavy products or when you can wait a bit longer for your order to arrive.
When planning a shipment, take into account the following:
- Freight Forwarder: Hiring a freight forwarder helps streamline the procedure because they will take care of paperwork, shipping fees, and customs clearance. To make sure everything goes smoothly, pick a forwarder who has experience shipping from China to Amazon FBA.
- Amazon FBA Requirements: Learn about the Packaging and Labeling Requirements for Amazon FBA. You should be able to comply with these regulations with the help of your supplier or freight forwarder.
- Customs And Duties: Ensure you are aware of the import taxes and duties that apply to your items. There may be fines or delays if the proper fees are not paid.
Get Your Amazon Listing Ready
Prepare your Amazon listing as soon as the shipment arrives by taking high-quality images, crafting a detailed product description, and deciding your selling price. Ensure that you adhere to Amazon’s guidelines and best practices for listing optimization, such as including keywords and providing competitive prices. Start selling on Amazon by launching your Amazon listing.
Frequently Ask Questions
Q: How long does it take to ship from Alibaba to Amazon FBA?
The transit time for shipments by sea freight depends on the distance between China and the destination country. For example, shipping products to Amazon USA may take between 30 to 40 days. On the other hand, it may take between 8 to 10 days if you send your shipment by air freight from China to Amazon USA.
Q: How much does it cost to ship from Alibaba to Amazon FBA?
Fuel prices, the volume of your shipment, the season you are shipping your products, international taxes and tariffs are some of the variables that influence the cost of shipping. It is impossible to provide an accurate price estimate since there are so many variables that keep changing.
Q: How do I track my shipment from Alibaba to Amazon FBA?
The freight forwarder you hire will supply you with a tracking number and website after creating the shipment label for your items. Once you have the tracking number, you can visit the freight forwarder tracking website to track your shipment.
Final Words
The process of getting your products manufactured and shipped to Amazon might be overwhelming for new sellers, though selling on Amazon is not difficult. Alibaba is undoubtedly one of the best places for sellers to find manufacturers for their online business. It is easy to use and accessible to anyone. Amazon FBA is a great option for sellers to enter the e-commerce industry without having to worry about storing inventory and manually processing orders.
When the time comes to dive in, do not forget to maintain your concentration, be flexible, and never stop learning. Good luck with your Amazon endeavors!