Amazon FBA Fees from China: Complete Cost Guide 2026

If you're sourcing products from China and selling on Amazon, understanding the full cost of FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is critical for profitability. This guide breaks down every fee—from China shipping costs to Amazon FBA fees—so you can calculate accurate landed costs before you buy.

Why Calculate Total FBA Cost from China?

Many new sellers focus only on the product cost from their Chinese supplier and forget to factor in freight charges, customs duties, Amazon fees, and FBA storage costs. This leads to unpleasant surprises when the math doesn't work out. A typical FBA shipment from China involves:

• Product cost from supplier
• China export processing fees
• International freight (sea or air)
• Customs duty and import taxes
• Last-mile delivery to Amazon warehouse
• Amazon fulfillment fees
• Amazon storage fees
• Referral fees (Amazon commission)

Amazon FBA Shipping Costs from China

The two main options for FBA shipping from China are sea freight (slower, cheaper) and air freight (faster, more expensive).

Sea Freight to Amazon FBA

Sea freight is the most common choice for FBA sellers. Costs vary by route:

• China to US West Coast (LA/LB): $2,500–$5,000 per 40ft container
• China to US East Coast (via Panama): $3,500–$6,500 per 40ft container
• China to Europe (Rotterdam, Felixstowe): $1,500–$3,500 per 20ft container
• China to UK: $2,000–$4,000 per 20ft container

FBA Container Shipping Surcharges

When shipping to FBA, expect these common surcharges:

• BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor): $150–$600 per 20ft container (fuel-related)
• PSS (Peak Season Surcharge): $200–$1,000 during high-demand periods
• THC (Terminal Handling Charge): $100–$300 per container (origin)
• DTHC (Destination THC): $150–$500 per container (destination port)

Air Freight to Amazon FBA

Air freight is 4–6x more expensive than sea but 3–4x faster. Use it for:

• Top-selling products running low on inventory
• Time-sensitive seasonal items
• Lightweight, high-value products

Air freight rate from China to US: $3–$8 per kg (general cargo)

Amazon Import Duties from China

When shipping products from China to Amazon warehouses, you'll need to pay import duties and taxes. The rates depend on:

• Product HS code — determines the duty rate
• De minimis threshold — varies by country
• Shipping destination — US, EU, UK have different rules

US Import Duties from China

The US de minimis threshold is currently $800 per shipment (under Section 321). However, due to recent policy changes, China goods valued under $800 may still face tariffs if they're subject to existing trade action duties. Most FBA shipments from China will incur:

• Section 301 tariffs: 7.5%–25% on many consumer products
• Anti-dumping duties: Additional tariffs on specific categories (steel, aluminum, etc.)
• Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of cargo value (min $26.79, max $519.76)
• Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% of cargo value (for ocean freight)

De Minimis Threshold Changes 2026

The de minimis exemption for China goods has been a hot topic. While the $800 threshold technically still exists, Temu, Shein, and other low-value shippers have faced scrutiny, and policy changes may affect future shipments. Always verify current rules with your customs broker.

EU Import VAT

Shipping FBA to European Amazon warehouses requires:

• Import VAT: 19%–27% depending on destination country
• Import duty: Varies by product HS code (typically 0–12% for consumer goods)
• IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop): Simplifies VAT reporting for e-commerce

Amazon FBA Fulfillment Fees 2026

Once your inventory arrives at Amazon, fulfillment fees apply for picking, packing, and shipping:

FBA Fulfillment Fees (US)

• Standard Size (under 1 lb): $3.22 per unit
• Standard size (1–2 lbs): $4.74 per unit
• Small standard (under 4 oz): $2.45 per unit
• Oversize items: $6.50–$11.50 per unit

FBA Storage Fees

• January–September: $0.78 per cubic foot
• October–December (peak): $2.40 per cubic foot
• Long-term storage (365+ days): Additional $6.90 per cubic foot

Amazon Referral Fees

Amazon charges a referral fee on each sale, typically 8%–15% depending on category. This is calculated on the sale price, not the landed cost.

How to Calculate Total FBA Landed Cost from China

Use this formula for accurate costing:

Total Cost = Product Cost + Export Fees + Freight + Duties + Last Mile + FBA Fees + Referral Fee

Example Calculation

For a consumer product shipped from China to Amazon US:

• Product cost: $10.00
• Export processing: $0.50
• Sea freight (share of 40ft container): $2.00
• Customs duty (10% + MPF): $1.35
• Last mile to FBA warehouse: $0.75
• FBA fulfillment fee: $3.50
• Cost before Amazon fee: $18.10
• Referral fee (12% of sale price): $3.00 (assuming $25 sale price)
• Total cost: $21.10

Tips to Reduce FBA Costs from China

• Consolidate shipments: Ship multiple SKUs in one container to reduce per-unit freight
• Negotiate with suppliers: Ask for FOB pricing and arrange your own freight
• Use a freight forwarder: They can often beat carrier rates
• Optimize packaging: Reduce package size to lower fulfillment fees
• Plan for peak season: Book freight 4–6 weeks early to avoid PSS
• Consider FBA alternative: Merchant Fulfilled Prime may save on storage fees

Key Takeaways

• Total FBA cost from China is typically 2–3x the product cost
• Sea freight with surcharges is the most common shipping method
• US import duties under Section 301 add 7.5%–25% to most Chinese goods
• Amazon FBA fees include fulfillment, storage, and referral charges
• Always calculate landed cost before committing to a product