THE SECRETS OF

IMPORTING YOUR

AMAZON PRODUCTS

Nicola Phillips MalaneyFBA Manager

INTRODUCTION

OUR COMPANY

� Founded in 1915, 100+ years of excellence� 3rd generation family business

� Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE)

� Strong emphasis on compliance, technological solutions, and customer service

� Big business solutions, with a personalized approach

� Over 65,000 entries annually

� We are an extension of our customers’ business!

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

How to find the right freight forwarder and customs broker — and knowing the right questions to ask in the process!

How to negotiate to save time and money while avoiding costly mistakes.

Tricks of the trade to ensure timely deliveries while staying in compliance with CBP and other government agencies.

What you can do as a seller to build long-term relationships with importing partners to develop a consistent and scalable supply chain.

SOURCING: FINDING THE RIGHT SUPPLIER

• Product/Supplier Research:

o Find reputable factories

o Confirm import permissions

o PGA/OGA requirements

o Trademark and intellectual property rights

o INCOTERMS 2010

SHAPIRO VS. COURIER

Use courier if…

• Less than 150 KGS

• Commercial value > $2,500 USD

Use Shapiro if…

• High-value

• Government agency clearance

MODES: DECIDING HOW TO SHIP

• Amazon warehouse assignment

• Split cargo?

• Volume or speed?

• Less-Than-Container Load (LCL)

• Full Container Load (FCL)

For a breakdown of cargo sizing, check out Shapiro’s cheat guides:

MODES: DECIDING HOW TO SHIP

• Amazon warehouse assignment

• Split cargo?

• Volume or speed?

• Less-Than-Container Load (LCL)

• Full Container Load (FCL)

For a breakdown of cargo sizing, check out Shapiro’s cheat guides:

QUOTING

Details matter!

• Terms of sale (INCOTERMS)

• Origin, Destination

• Transit times, shipping dates

• Validity timeframe

ONBOARDING

• Amazon will NEVER act as your Importer of Record

• U.S. Customs bond

• Power of Attorney

• Terms & Conditions

• Credit Application

CUSTOMS – HOW TO NOT BREAK AT BROKERAGE

COMMERCIAL ENTRY

• Commercial invoice

• Packing list

• Tariffs and duties

• ADD/CVD

• Free Trade Agreements

Read our Shap Blog:The Anatomy of a Perfect Commercial Invoice: 11.5 Point Checklist

CUSTOMS EXAMINATIONS

• Under 19 USC 1467, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has the right to examine any shipments imported into the United States, and you, the importer, are required to bear the cost of those cargo exams. 

• Common types

• Procedures

• Costs

Read more in our Shap Blog:Examining the Issue: A Behind the Scenes Look at Customs Inspections

THE PLATFORM

� Real-time data� 24/7 availability� Access to all shipment documentation� Fully conversant in all EDI messaging

standards including XML, EDIFACT, ANSI X12. We support 856, 850, 810, 315, 210, ANSI X12 message types, CUSDEC and CUSREC EDIFACT formats, and various XML documents

REPORTING

� Customized reports including:� Volume by carrier� Entry statistics� Duty spend� Demurrage spend� Vendor compliance� Landed cost reporting

� Exception analysis

SHAPIRO 360°Shapiro 360° is our home for purchase order management, cargo tracking, all customer reports and dashboards, and all other Shapiro technology applications.

AMAZON: THE LAST MILE TO MARKET

AMAZON WAREHOUSING

• Appointments

• Peak seasons

• Packaging

• 48x40” pallets

• 72” height restriction

• 1,500lbs weight restriction

• LCL, consolidations

NON-AMAZON WAREHOUSING

• Lift gate

• Residential

• Indoor

• Tax ID/ultimate consignee

MURPHY’S LAW: WHAT CAN GO WRONG• Supplier relations

• Understanding additional charges

• Working with Amazon’s partner carriers

• Amazon’s holidays and peaks

• Managing expectations

Questions?

FBAAdvantage@shapiro.com