DDP Shipping
to Amazon FBA:
The Safe Way to Stock Inventory
Effective Date: January 2026
DDP Shipping to Amazon FBA
A practical method for stocking inventory with clearer landed cost planning.
Intro Paragraphs
If you sell on Amazon FBA and source goods internationally, your chosen shipping term determines import customs, who pays duties and taxes, and whether delivery proceeds without unexpected issues.
Amazon does not act as an Importer of Record (IOR) for third-party sellers. If a shipment arrives with unresolved import obligations or documentation issues, it can be delayed, returned, or held before it reaches a fulfillment center.
This page explains DDP for Amazon FBA, highlights common mistakes that cause rejections, and provides a checklist for accurate job pricing.
Quick Answer
- DDP to Amazon FBA is commonly used when the quote includes import clearance, duties, and taxes within the all-in delivery scope.
- Through AiDeliv, the executing carrier (the carrier whose bid you accept) provides IOR capability, plus the approved ISR status for shipment.
- DDP does not guarantee Amazon FBA inbound compliance. Labels, pallet specifications, routing, and appointment remain separately billable.
- Common reasons for rejection include labeling errors, appointment issues, packaging or pallet noncompliance, and inadequate carton count.
- Reverse auctions streamline tendering by running within a defined window and showing competing offers before you accept.
If you sell on Amazon FBA and source goods from overseas, knowing shipping terms is essential.
Amazon will not act as Importer of Record. Shipments to Fulfillment Centers with unpaid duties or customs issues are rejected.
To smoothly transition into a shipping strategy, understanding DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) helps FBA sellers make critical decisions.
With this context in mind, let's explore what DDP really means for Amazon FBA shipments.
For Amazon FBA, DDP shipping means your freight forwarder (a company that arranges shipments for individuals or corporations) handles the entire journey from the factory floor to the Amazon warehouse dock.
The "Hands-Off" Promise: You pay one all-inclusive price per kilogram or cubic meter (CBM). This covers:
- Pick up from the supplier.
- Export clearance.
- Ocean or Air freight.
- Customs Duty & Tax payment.
- Delivery Appointment Booking with Amazon.
What DDP Means for Amazon FBA Shipments
For Amazon FBA, DDP is commonly used when the logistics provider manages the shipment end-to-end and the quote explicitly includes:
- Pickup from the supplier
- Export process (as applicable)
- Air or ocean freight
- U.S. import clearance coordination
- Duties and taxes are included within the agreed scope
- Final delivery to the named Amazon destination, subject to Amazon's inbound rules and scheduling requirements
DDP alone does not resolve compliance issues. The quote must clearly define inclusions, and shipment data must be accurate. Ambiguity often leads to unexpected charges and delays.
2. Why DDP is Mandatory for FBA Sellers
Compliance with Amazon TOS
Amazon’s Terms of Service state that they will not pay duties for sellers. DDP ensures all government obligations are settled before delivery.
Strict Appointment Slots (CARP/ISA)
Amazon warehouses require delivery slots. DDP FBA forwarders can schedule appointments and avoid penalties, unlike most regular couriers.
Reduced Risk of "Stranded Inventory."
With DDP, your logistics partner clears customs and resolves any exam or paperwork issues. Using other terms may lead Amazon to reject the delivery and leave goods stranded.
3. How DDP to FBA Works (Step-by-Step)
Assume you are shipping 500 units of Kitchen Gadgets from Shenzhen, China, to Amazon FBA in Dallas, Texas.
- Labeling (Crucial): Before the goods leave the factory, the supplier applies FNSKU (Amazon product labels) and FBA Box ID labels.
- Consolidation: Your forwarder combines your pallets with shipments from other sellers going to the same region to save costs.
- The Ocean Crossing: The container arrives at the Port of Los Angeles.
- Customs Clearance: The forwarder’s US partner (a company that helps with import requirements) clears the container and pays the duties (import taxes charged by the government). Amazon is not involved. consolidation: The container is brought to a local warehouse (often called a 3PL third-party logistics provider), broken down, and your specific pallets are sorted.
- Final Delivery: The forwarder books an appointment with the Amazon Dallas warehouse and delivers the goods.
- Check-In: Amazon scans your goods, and they become "Active" in your Seller Central.
4. Frequently Asked Questions: FBA Shipping
Do I need a bond for DDP shipments to Amazon?
Usually not. Most DDP forwarders use their own Customs Bond, but confirm with your quote. What happens if
Amazon rejects my DDP shipment?
Rejections usually happen due to improper packaging (for example, pallet overhang, which means your products hang over the edges of the pallet) or missed appointments, not customs issues (since it's DDP). A good forwarder will take the goods back to their local depot, fix the issue, and redeliver.
Does DDP price include Amazon's placement fees?
No, DDP covers shipping only. Amazon charges FBA fees directly in Seller Central.
DDP Shipping vs DAP
DDP Shipping to USA
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