To ship to Amazon FBA from Canada, create a shipping plan in Seller Central, prepare products to Amazon's requirements, print the Amazon shipment ID labels and deliver to the assigned fulfilment centre. For a Canadian centre, an Amazon partnered carrier is optional. For the US, you must take the importer role: Amazon does not.
The steps of an FBA shipment, per Amazon
| Step | What Amazon asks |
|---|---|
| 1. Set up | Create a selling account and set up Fulfilment by Amazon in Seller Central |
| 2. List products | Specify, for each listing, that the inventory will be fulfilled by FBA |
| 3. Prepare | Pack to Amazon's packing guidelines and shipping and routing requirements (labelling, bagging or boxing depending on the product) |
| 4. Ship | Create a shipping plan, print the Amazon shipment ID labels and send to the fulfilment centre |
| Then | Items become purchasable once Amazon receives them; Amazon handles picking, packing, delivery, customer service and returns |
Amazon notes there is no minimum number of units and no obligation to use FBA for all your products. The destination is the centre your plan assigns: do not reuse the address from an earlier shipment.
Partnered carrier or your own?
For a shipment to a Canadian centre, Amazon says you can use an Amazon partnered carrier, which offers discounted rates, from the Send to Amazon workflow. It is an option, not a requirement: you can also ship with your own carrier, following the routing requirements.
In the US, Amazon describes its Partner Carrier Program as covering shipments within the 48 contiguous states. For inventory crossing the border, Amazon staff explain on the Seller Central forums that the partnered carrier cannot be used, because you, not Amazon, are the importer: you use your own carrier.
To a US centre: customs on both sides
| Point | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Importer of record | Amazon, including its fulfilment centres, does not act as importer of record or consignee for FBA inventory; you or an entity you appoint must | Amazon staff, Seller Central forums |
| Non-resident importer | Register as a non-resident importer as needed | Amazon staff, Seller Central forums |
| Customs broker | If you use one, you must engage them directly; Amazon does not make these arrangements | Amazon staff, Seller Central forums |
| Delivery terms | Delivered Duty Paid (DDP); Amazon accepts no collect charges (duties, taxes or shipping) | Amazon staff, Seller Central forums |
| Export declaration (Canada) | Non-restricted goods exported for consumption in the US: no declaration; restricted goods: permit, certificate or licence required | CBSA |
Amazon's answers come from its forums, not a help page, and some are a few years old: check the help page on delivering imports to Amazon in your Seller Central before shipping, and confirm US requirements with a customs broker.
For an Amazon centre in a country other than the US, the CBSA requires an export declaration for commercial goods valued at CAN$2,000 or more, filed through the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS). That needs a 15-character business number with an export (RM) program account.
Follow inventory receiving
Carrier delivery and Amazon's receiving are two separate stages: your units are purchasable only once Amazon has received them. Follow the shipment in Seller Central, under the Inventory menu. Keep the shipping plan, handover proof and box weights to reconcile the quantities received.
What to do before you ship
- Create the plan in Seller Central and note the centre assigned to this specific shipment.
- Prepare and label to Amazon's guidelines: Amazon presents them as the key to a smooth check-in.
- To a Canadian centre: compare Amazon's partnered carrier and your own carrier for the same boxes.
- To a US centre: appoint the importer of record, engage a broker and ship DDP with your own carrier.
- Keep handover proof and tracking numbers until Amazon has checked in every unit.
Official sources
- Amazon.ca: Fulfilment by Amazon (steps)
- Amazon.ca: FBA for beginners (partnered carrier)
- Amazon (US): Partner Carrier Program
- Seller Central: importer of record (Amazon staff reply)
- Seller Central: importer of record, another thread
- CBSA: goods that do not need an export declaration
- CBSA: exporters' guide to reporting
- CBSA: Memorandum D20-1-1