Amazon FBA Shipping Cost Calculator
Estimate inbound shipping costs to Amazon FBA warehouses — domestic or international, per unit and per carton.
Understanding FBA Inbound Shipping Costs
Inbound shipping — the cost of getting your products from your supplier or warehouse to Amazon's fulfillment centers — is one of the most underestimated costs for FBA sellers. It directly impacts your landed cost per unit and therefore your profit margin. Use the Landed Cost Calculator for the complete picture.
Domestic vs. International Shipping
Domestic (US-based suppliers or prep centers): Amazon's Partnered Carrier program (SPD) offers discounted UPS rates — typically $0.50–$0.80 per pound. LTL freight (pallet shipments) is cheaper per pound (~$0.25–$0.45) but has minimum charges and requires a pallet.
International (China, India, etc.): Ocean freight is cheapest ($0.15–$0.30/lb, 25–40 days transit), air freight is mid-range ($2–4/lb, 7–12 days), and express courier (DHL, FedEx) is fastest but most expensive ($4–8/lb, 3–5 days).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amazon's Partnered Carrier program?
Amazon negotiates discounted shipping rates with carriers (primarily UPS for small parcel). When you create an inbound shipment in Seller Central, you can use Amazon's rates — typically 30–50% cheaper than standard UPS rates. You pay Amazon, and they handle the label and billing.
When should I use ocean freight vs. air freight?
Use ocean freight for replenishment orders where you have 4–6 weeks of lead time. Use air freight when you're running low on inventory and need stock fast, or for initial test orders of lightweight products where the per-unit air cost is manageable. Many sellers use a mix: ocean for bulk + air for urgency.
What is dimensional weight and how does it affect shipping costs?
Dimensional (DIM) weight uses package dimensions instead of actual weight to calculate shipping cost for lightweight but bulky items. The formula is (L × W × H) ÷ DIM factor (typically 139 for international, 166 for domestic). Carriers bill the greater of actual or DIM weight. This means large, light products cost more to ship than their weight suggests.
How do I reduce FBA inbound shipping costs?
Optimize packaging to reduce dimensional weight, consolidate shipments into full containers or pallets, use Amazon's partnered carriers, negotiate with freight forwarders for volume discounts, and consider a US-based prep center to convert international shipments to cheaper domestic final-mile delivery.
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