Hello Sellers,

Welcome to Part One of a three part series. This series will provide hopefully some helpful information on sending products to Amazon from outside of the US. Part one will discuss the importing process!

As an FBA seller, one of the key requirements you'll need to understand is the role of the Importer of Record (IOR) for any inventory you ship to Amazon from outside the US. The IOR is the person or company that is legally responsible for an imported shipment when it enters the United States.

Specifically, the IOR has three main responsibilities:

1. Ensuring the imported goods comply with all applicable laws and regulations. This includes verifying the products are allowed to be imported and meeting any special requirements.
2. Filing the necessary customs entry declarations and documentation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The IOR is accountable for the accuracy of this paperwork.
3. Paying all import duties, taxes, and fees associated with bringing the goods into the country. The IOR must remit these payments to CBP.

Amazon will not act as the IOR for your FBA inventory, regardless of the shipment size or value. You, the seller, or a freight forwarder you work with must be listed as the IOR on all customs documentation. This is an important responsibility, as the IOR bears legal liability for the imported shipment.

To become the IOR, you may need to obtain a customs bond as security for your imported goods. Your IOR duties include confirming your shipment meets all requirements, filing the entry paperwork, and remitting any duties/taxes owed. A licensed customs broker can be extremely helpful in managing this process.

Another key consideration is whether your imported products have any special restrictions or require additional permits/approvals. Items like agricultural goods, pharmaceuticals, hazardous materials, and more are often subject to oversight by government agencies like the FDA, USDA, or EPA. Failing to comply with these rules could result in shipment delays, returns, or even disposal of your inventory.

Again, working with an experienced customs broker is highly recommended to navigate these complexities. They can assess your specific products, ensure you have the right documentation, and interface with the relevant regulatory bodies on your behalf.

Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions about the IOR requirements or importing process for FBA. I'm happy to provide more details or point you toward helpful resources.

You can find Part 2 here: Importing 101 for FBA Sellers: Part 2

Dominic

Hello Sellers,

Welcome to Part 3 of Importing 101! If you are interested here is Part 1 & Part 2.

As an FBA seller, you've likely put a lot of time and effort into sourcing, importing, and shipping your products to Amazon's fulfillment network. But what happens when you need to send some of that imported inventory back?

There are a few important things to know about returning imported FBA goods. Let's dive in.

• The first key point is that Amazon is currently unable to return your imported inventory to an address located outside of the United States. If you need to send inventory back, you must provide a valid US-based return address. Amazon's FBA program does not support international shipment pickups from their fulfillment centers. This means any returned goods can only be shipped back to a location within the United States.

• If you need to return goods, you'll have to coordinate that through the Create removal order form within Seller Central. From there, you can choose to have the items shipped to a US address of your choosing, whether that's your own warehouse, a third-party logistics provider, or another domestic location.

• Given the complexity around importing and exporting goods across international borders, it's highly recommended that you work closely with a customs broker or freight forwarder when managing any return or removal of your imported FBA inventory. They can ensure you meet all the necessary customs requirements and documentation, as well as handle the actual transportation of the returned products.

Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions about returning or removing imported products from Amazon's fulfillment network. I'm happy to provide more details or point you toward additional resources to ensure a smooth and compliant return process.

Best,

Dominic