Amazon’s FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) service frees up the sellers time and offers a wealth of benefits, which includes managing the logistics of the products you sell. In other words, when you opt for FBA, you send your products to an Amazon fulfilment centre (AFC) where they will be stored, and then Amazon will pack and ship your goods to the end customer on your behalf. They also manage your customer experience and handle any returns, saving you a great deal of time and effort.

Top tips for Amazon FBA

So if you’re looking to become an Amazon FBA guru, here are a few tips and things to consider to get you ahead of the game.

1. Win the Buy Box
   Approximately 85-90% of sales are acquired by the seller who is in the Amazon Buy Box. The box is located on the product detail page where customers begin the purchasing process. When a single product is offered by a number of different sellers, it is these sellers that compete to be in the Buy Box. Amazon has a complex algorithm for capturing the Buy Box that is never revealed to its sellers, but there are a few ways to ensure you get the top spot. For example:
   1. Be the lowest price including shipping.
   2. Sell a unique item.
   3. Use Amazon’s bundling policy to create unique items.
2. Give plenty of accurate detail on the products you are shipping
   This may seem like an obvious one, but if there is even a slight discrepancy between the item sold and what you have described in your listing, then customers are likely to notice. Customers can be very quick to complain, which can result in returns, negative feedback and account suspension warnings from Amazon.
3. Be sure to label your shipments correctly when sending to FBA
   It is a good idea to double check that each item has the correct label when you are sending to an Amazon storage facility. Amazon will assume your labels are correct and send out items based on the label. The only way you’ll know if you have labelled a shipment incorrectly is when you start receiving negative feedback from customers.
4. Follow Amazon’s package guidelines when shipping to FBA
   Not only does Amazon work to strict SOP’s but they also operate a rigid booking-in system, including some strict package requirements. We touched upon some of Amazon’s key delivery guidelines in our previous post here.
5. Avoid shipping overcharges
   Many delivery companies have weight surcharges when the size of a box exceeds certain parameters. Volumetric weight is a pricing technique for commercial freight transport, which uses an estimated weight that is calculated from the length, width and height of a package. A package that exceeds 5000 cubic inches can incur an extra charge. For example, a box that measures 18 x 18 x 18 = 5,832 cubic inches, so this would incur an extra shipping charge. But if you shipped two smaller boxes with the same total weight, then the total charge would be less.

These are just a handful of tips that can be utilised in order to better understand Amazon FBA. Despite the numerous benefits, many sellers are put off becoming an FBA seller due to the number of strict requirements, particularly those concerning shipments to Amazon fulfilment centres (AFCs).

The good news is that sellers can work with experienced logistics companies who understand Amazon FBA Logistics, simplifying the process and ensuring the safe delivery of goods.

How Logistics & Freight Solutions can help

At Logistics & Freight Solutions we offer a simplified delivery service into FBA through strategic agreements with Amazon. This not only makes it easier for you as the seller but also eliminates much of the risk of your shipment being rejected.

The post How to be an Amazon FBA Guru appeared first on Logistics & Freight Solutions.

But the FBA process is not always as straightforward as you might think, and many companies, particularly start-ups, find it difficult to get their products into FBA in the first place. Fortunately, in conjunction with their partners, Logistics & Freight Solutions are on hand to help if you’re struggling with FBA deliveries.

What is FBA?

As a seller on Amazon, you can choose to use Amazon’s FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) service. When you opt for FBA, you will send your products to an Amazon fulfilment centre (AFC) where they will be stored, and then Amazon will pack and ship your goods to the end customer on your behalf.

As part of the FBA service, Amazon will manage your customer experience and handle any returns. But above all, FBA saves you a great deal of time. Knowing the fulfilment of your products is handled, you can invest more time in other areas of your business.

Additionally, FBA also helps to boost your selling performance by making your FBA-eligible products stand out from the rest. Each FBA product earns the “Prime” badge, a “fulfilled by Amazon” badge, and has a higher chance of winning the Buy Box.

Pitfalls for arranging deliveries to Amazon fulfilment centres

As these many benefits show, there is certainly an overwhelming case for selling on Amazon with FBA. However, there are a few considerations to take on board before you start using the FBA service. The FBA process is complex, so many start-ups or novice sellers can become overwhelmed.

Not only does Amazon work to strict SOP’s but they also operate a rigid booking-in system. Here are some of the requirements for LTL/FTL deliveries shipped to Amazon FCs.

Pallet requirements

Amazon dictates that all non-small parcel shipments must be palletised in GMA grade B or higher, 1000×1200 mm 4-way access wood pallets or 1000×1200 mm CHEP pallets when delivering stock to UK. Pallets shipped internationally must be heat treated to ISPM-15 standard. Any broken or damaged pallets are not acceptable and may be rejected at the merchant’s expense.

Any pallets not meeting these requirements or any unauthorised floor-loaded shipments may be refused at the dock, returned to you at your expense or subject to applicable non-compliance fees.

Pallet labelling

All pallets must be correctly labelled, and should be positioned in the upper right corner of one of the sides of the unitised load so that it is clearly visible. Any pallets carrying mixed but visually similar products must be labelled ‘mixed merchandise’ or ‘mixed SKUs’.

All cartons weighing between 15 kg and 30 kg must be marked “heavy package” and pallets must be stretch-wrapped in clear plastic with a “do not break stretch-wrap” or “do not break down” notification to the carrier.

All Amazon fulfilment centres accept double-stacked pallets provided that they are safe to load and unload, and do not cause product damage during transit. There must be a minimum of 30 cm clearance between the top of the pallets and the roof of the vehicle, and a minimum of 30 cm clearance between the back of the last pallet and the rear of the vehicle.

Bill of Lading

When there are multiple orders shipping from the same pick-up location to the same Amazon fulfilment centre with the same required delivery date, orders must be consolidated into one shipment with one Bill of Lading. The original Bill of Lading information must be made available to the carrier in order for the carrier to arrange an advanced delivery appointment.

Vehicle requirements

There are a number of complex vehicle requirements that must be met in order to successfully ship goods to an Amazon fulfilment centre. An experienced logistics company partnered with Amazon will understand these requirements and arrange the appropriate shipment.

Schedule delivery appointments

Deliveries to an Amazon FC will only be accepted by appointment. These booking requests must be made no less that 24 hours ahead of the desired appointment time via the Carrier Appointment Request Portal (CARP). All deliveries must arrive on time. If shipment is delayed due to unforeseen events, Amazon must be notified.

Failure to comply with correct FBA process, product preparation requirements, safety requirements and product restrictions may result in the refusal of inventory at the Amazon fulfilment centre, disposal or return of inventory, blocking of future shipments to the fulfilment centre, or charging for preparation or for non-compliance at the fulfilment centre.

Common reasons for delivery rejections

• Incorrect type of vehicle.
• No booking, or unscheduled delivery.
• Unsafe or incorrect pallet preparation.
• Damaged freight.
• Incorrect documentation.

These are just some of the reasons why many sellers find sending goods to an Amazon Fulfilment tricky work. The good news is that sellers can work with experienced logistics companies who understand Amazon FBA Logistics, simplifying the process and ensuring the safe delivery of goods.

How Logistics & Freight Solutions can help

At Logistics & Freight Solutions we offer a simplified delivery service into FBA through strategic agreements with Amazon. This not only makes it easier for you as the seller but also eliminates much of the risk of your shipment being rejected.

What is the process?

1. Provide FBA No, Amazon SKU and copy packing lists prior to unpack.
2. We will arrange packing to FBA specification and arrange booking with Amazon.
3. We will then provide delivery date and confirm POD.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact us.

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