Amazon Global Shipping Programme

[Rug Love]

Hello guys. I’m strongly considering using the Amazon global shipping programme, more for ease than anything because I intend to sell my products via Amazon FBA only.
Has anyone use the amazon global shipping programme ?
How do the costs stack up vs arranging your own ? Also my supplier in china has offered to arrange sea freight but I’m told not to do this. Any feedback appreciated

 

[Mister B]

The Amazon global shipping programme does indeed streamline the process for you, but it does have the following shortcomings:

1. It's very expensive.
2. You are fully reliant on Amazon for all aspects of your business, from factory to warehouse, rendering you far too over exposed.
3. You assume that the products are all compliant and have no faults which means that once in the Amazon warehouse, you will need to recall all faulty stock from them so adding to your costs.
4. By doing so you will also be letting Amazon know the details of your supplier in China, which should be avoided as a matter of protocol as much as anything else.
5. The entire shipment will be subect to storage fees which, if the stock does not move through quickly, will be expensive.

Presumably you've undertaken due dilligence on the whole selling on Amazon business model and you've started selling succesfully already. If not, I would advise against shipping part/full containers from Asia without having some idea of sales performance.

In answer to your final point-I would not have the factory arrange shipping for you. I would instead appoint my own UK based freight forwarder who can handle everything for you. Normally at better prices and with greater efficiency.

HTH.

Mister B

 

[Maple Sourcing]

For a starter, using FBA will be highly recommended, as you need to save hassle and focus on your key business. Once it is proven that your products are selling well, you may consider other shipping/storage method to save cost, but before that, I'd suggest you use FBA only.