FBA Shipment Creation for Amazon Sellers

In “FBA Shipment Creation for Amazon Sellers,” you’ll find everything you need to streamline your shipment process using Amazon’s “Send to Amazon” (STA) tool. The guide walks you through the benefits and steps of using STA, from crafting reusable case pack templates to optimizing shipping costs with Amazon Partnered Carriers. You’ll learn how to pack both single and mixed-SKU boxes efficiently, ensuring that your products reach Amazon’s fulfillment centers quickly and cost-effectively. Additionally, the article offers invaluable tips, such as estimating shipping dates and printing essential labels, which are crucial for a smooth shipping workflow. Whether you’re preparing for Prime Day or simply aiming to enhance your logistics strategy, this friendly primer has got you covered. Have you ever wondered how to streamline your Amazon FBA shipment creation process? If so, you’re in the right place. We’re here to guide you through the essentials of FBA shipment creation using the “Send to Amazon” tool. By the end of this article, you’ll be well-equipped to handle your FBA shipments efficiently and effectively, just in time for Prime Day.

fba-shipment-creation-for-amazon-sellers FBA Shipment Creation for Amazon Sellers

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Understanding FBA and Send to Amazon

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) allows you to store your products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Once your inventory is in place, Amazon takes over the heavy lifting: picking, packing, shipping, handling customer queries, and even managing returns and refunds. But how do you get your products to Amazon’s warehouses, and how are these inbound shipments processed?

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The answer lies in the “Send to Amazon” (STA) tool. This function within Seller Central simplifies the shipment creation process, eliminating the need for separate software. It ensures all SKUs are accurately accounted for and labeled, allowing Amazon to anticipate deliveries to its fulfillment centers.

Benefits of Using Send to Amazon (STA)

1. Time-Saving Templates

STA allows you to create reusable case pack templates for single-SKU boxes. This means you only need to enter box content information, weight, and dimensions once. You can then make minor adjustments before printing your labels, saving you a lot of time on data entry.

2. More Efficient Packing

Knowing which box each unit belongs to is crucial. The last thing you need is to repackage items because they were placed in the wrong box. With STA, you can pack both single and mixed-SKU boxes right from the start, eliminating the need for repacking.

3. Cost-Effective Shipping

With STA, you can access discounted rates through Amazon Partnered Carriers. Even if you prefer to use your own carriers, STA allows you to compare rates and choose the best shipping options for your business.

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How to Create an FBA Shipment with STA

Creating an FBA shipment using STA is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:

  1. Log in to Seller Central.
  2. Go to Inventory, then Shipments, and click on Send to Amazon.
  3. Follow the guided steps in the workflow to complete your shipment.

For a quick walkthrough of how STA works, you can watch the Send Products to Amazon FBA playlist on the Amazon Seller University YouTube channel. Or you could also read the Shipment Creation post available on the official Amazon blog.

Steps of FBA Shipment Creation

To give you a better understanding, let’s break down the five key steps involved in creating an FBA shipment:

1. Choose Inventory to Send

Start by selecting the ship-from address and the marketplace destination. If you’re shipping from abroad, you can select options like Amazon Global Logistics. Choose SKUs that are already converted to FBA and complete the packing details. You also have the option to upload SKUs in bulk using the File Upload feature. Creating case pack templates for subsequent shipments can save you time down the line.

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1.b. Pack Individual Units

Amazon groups SKUs by their destination. You’ll pack individual or mixed-SKU boxes based on Amazon’s guidelines and provide box content information for each pack group for quick processing.

2. Confirm Shipping

Choose how you want your shipments to be split across different locations:

Split Option Description Cost
Amazon Optimized Shipments are split across 4+ locations Free
Partially Split Inventory is spread across 2-3 locations Lower fee
Minimal Splits Inventory is sent to 1 location Higher fee

By considering these options, you can manage your shipping costs and distribution strategy effectively.

3. Print Box Labels

For small parcel delivery (SPD), review the box detail information and print labels for all your small parcel shipments. Choose the box and label sizes that suit the shipment and carrier.

4. Confirm Carrier and Pallet Information

This step applies only if you’re shipping less than truckload (LTL) pallet shipments. You’ll need to provide the number of pallets and carrier information. If you’re using an Amazon Partnered Carrier, you can print the pallet labels.

5. Print Pallet Labels

If using Amazon Partnered Carriers, provide the freight-ready date, pallet estimates, dimensions, and configurations. Print and affix the pallet labels, ensuring that tracking updates automatically upon carrier pickup.

fba-shipment-creation-for-amazon-sellers-1 FBA Shipment Creation for Amazon Sellers

Final Thoughts

Creating FBA shipments using the “Send to Amazon” tool is a tremendous step towards making your inventory management more efficient. By leveraging the benefits and understanding the step-by-step process, you’ll be well-prepared for Amazon’s Prime Day and any other high-sales events.

If you have any questions or need further clarifications, feel free to explore the resources mentioned or reach out to Amazon Seller Support. Happy Selling!

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