How to Ship to Amazon FBA Warehouses in Australia and Overseas

Many Australian sellers say they struggle when they first ship to an Amazon warehouse because the requirements aren’t always clear. A missed label or incorrect carton weight can cause delays or rejections.

With more than 14,000 Australian sellers now using Amazon, understanding the shipping process matters more than ever. This guide breaks down each step for sending inventory to FBA warehouses in Australia and overseas, from creating your shipment plan to prepping cartons correctly and choosing the right freight method so your stock is accepted the first time.

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How to Ship to Amazon FBA Warehouses (Australia + Overseas)

Amazon FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) is a service where Amazon stores, picks, packs, and ships your products for you.

Shipping to an Amazon FBA warehouse means following a strict preparation and delivery process so your inventory is accepted without delays. In Seller Central, you’ll create a shipment plan, prepare your cartons, and assign the correct destination. 

For both Australian and overseas FBA warehouses, the key steps include:

• Create your shipment plan and enter product quantities and SKUs.
• Label each unit and carton with the correct FNSKU and shipment ID.
• Record carton weights, dimensions, and contents accurately.
• Choose a shipping method: domestic courier, international air freight, or sea freight.
• Upload commercial invoices and other required documents.
• Book delivery slots for Australian warehouses or complete customs clearance for overseas shipments.
• Track your delivery and manage returns once stock arrives.

Couriers & Freight provides booking, tracking, and 3PL support to keep FBA shipments on schedule.

Step 1: Create an FBA Shipment Plan

Set up your shipment plan in Seller Central so Amazon knows exactly what you’re sending, how many units are included, and which warehouse should receive them. A clear shipment plan reduces routing errors and prevents delays later in the process.

Step by Step:

1. Log in to Seller Central and go to Inventory → Send to Amazon.
2. Select your products and enter the quantities.
3. Review the warehouse destinations assigned by Amazon.
4. Print all required box and pallet labels from Seller Central. 
5. Confirm carrier details and mark the shipment as ready for dispatch.

More than 80% of Amazon sellers now use FBA, making accurate shipment creation a key step in keeping stock moving smoothly through Amazon’s inbound system.

Step 2: Prepare and Label Your Inventory Correctly

Accurate preparation and labelling help ensure your cartons are accepted at the warehouse and processed without delay. Most FBA issues come from incorrect barcodes, mixed SKUs, or missing carton details. All of which Amazon flags during inbound checks.

Checklist:

1. Apply FNSKU labels on a flat, visible surface of each unit.

2. Place shipment ID labels on one side of each carton, avoiding corners and seams.

3. Record carton weights, dimensions, and contents correctly; avoid mixed SKUs unless approved.

4. Follow Amazon limits: cartons ≤ 23 kg and pallets ≤ 1.2 m high.

5. Seal cartons securely and wrap pallets to keep loads stable during handling.

Common errors:

• Barcodes are covered, faded, or overlapping
• Missing or inaccurate shipment ID labels
• Mixed SKUs in a single carton
• Cartons or pallets outside Amazon’s weight or height limits

Many sellers rely on a 3PL for inspection, labelling, and preparation because these services reduce rejections and speed up inbound processing. According to IMARC Group, Australia’s 3PL market reached USD 24.03 billion in 2024, reflecting growing reliance on professional partners to meet FBA standards.

Step 3: Choose Your Shipping Method

The method you choose depends on whether you’re sending cartons or pallets, how quickly the stock needs to reach the FBA warehouse, and whether the destination is in Australia or overseas. Each option has different transit times, handling requirements, and cost implications for FBA inbound shipments.

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Air freight is 8 to 10 times faster than sea freight, but it also costs 4 to 6 times more. It’s the better choice when you need urgent restocks or lightweight, high-value products delivered quickly. Sea freight is more suited to bulk shipments that can handle longer transit times while keeping costs down.

Step 4: Understand FBA Warehouse Rules in Australia

Australian FBA warehouses follow strict inbound requirements, and shipments that don’t meet them can be turned away at the dock. Following these rules helps your cartons and pallets get accepted the first time.

Guidelines to follow:

• Book your delivery slot in Seller Central or through your carrier before dispatch.
• Keep pallets within 1.0 m × 1.2 m and ensure cartons weigh no more than 23 kg.
• Attach the correct shipment ID labels to every carton and pallet before arrival.
• Use a carrier approved by Amazon for FBA deliveries.
• Keep proof of delivery to confirm the stock has been received and scanned in.

Amazon is expanding its Australian network to handle over 2.2 million large items by early 2026, which means stricter dock schedules and faster cut-offs. Meeting these requirements reduces the risk of rejection or rebooking delays.

Step 5: Shipping to Overseas Amazon FBA Warehouses

International FBA shipments require more documentation than domestic deliveries and must meet both Amazon’s requirements and each country’s customs rules. Using carriers familiar with FBA procedures helps ensure your cartons or pallets reach the correct warehouse without rebooking delays.

AU to US/UK/EU Shipments

Prepare a commercial invoice, export declaration, and proof of carrier booking. Carriers such as DHL Express, Qantas Freight, and Maersk handle FBA-bound freight and provide the tracking data Amazon requires. Using an Amazon-recognised carrier improves customs clearance and reduces the risk of your stock being held at the destination port.

Importing to Australia (China → AU)

If you bring stock from China, lodge your import declaration with the Australian Border Force (ABF). Use the correct HS codes, and complete any required biosecurity checks. Once cleared, shipments can go directly to the Amazon warehouse. Partnering with a 3PL or customs broker experienced with FBA shipments reduces delays and ensures you meet all compliance rules.

Australia’s freight forwarding market is forecast to reach $10.78 billion by 2030, driven by continued e-commerce growth and rising export volumes. This shift highlights why more sellers rely on experienced freight partners to manage international paperwork, routing, and customs steps for FBA shipments.

When to Use a Freight Forwarder or 3PL

A freight forwarder or 3PL is particularly useful for multi-carton shipments, SKU mixes, or multi-country routing. They can consolidate cartons, prepare all export and import documents, and deliver directly to the assigned FBA warehouse. 

Couriers & Freight coordinates booking details, documentation, and delivery requirements to reduce rebooking risks and keep shipments moving through customs and into Amazon’s inbound system smoothly.

Step 6: Tracking and Managing Returns

Tracking and returns management keep inventory organised after arrival. Seller Central provides basic updates, but it doesn’t always show what’s happening in transit or after stock is removed from the warehouse.

With Couriers & Freight, all shipments appear in a single dashboard, making it easier to identify delays, resolve issues quickly, and keep your restock cycle moving smoothly.

A 3PL can also:

• Consolidate returned stock and send it back to Amazon
• Inspect, relabel, or repackage units for resale
• Transfer stock between Amazon warehouses or back to local storage

Industry research shows that better shipment visibility and active returns management lead to higher customer satisfaction, which is especially important for sellers managing inventory across multiple countries and carriers.

How Couriers & Freight Helps with Amazon FBA Shipping

FBA shipments often involve multiple carriers, shifting delivery windows, and updates spread across different tracking portals. Couriers & Freight brings all of this into a single platform so you can monitor shipments, compare options, and fix issues before they affect your restock cycle.

Domestic FBA Support

Instead of spending hours comparing rates and booking different couriers, you can now connect with FedEx, PEP, and Northline in one place. You can check prices, schedule pickups, and confirm delivery times for Australian FBA warehouses. Everything happens on one platform, which saves time and prevents errors.

International FBA Support

For overseas shipments, Couriers & Freight manages documentation, customs steps, and delivery to Amazon warehouses in the US, UK, and EU. You get end-to-end visibility across different carriers and can address any issues earlier in transit, reducing the risk of missed cut-offs at Amazon’s inbound docks.

If you’re ready to manage your Amazon FBA shipments more efficiently, get a quote with Couriers & Freight today.

Ship Your Stock to Amazon FBA

Get an FBA shipping quote now

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