Shipping Guides

Ocean Freight Issues 2026: What’s Disrupting Shipping and How FBA Sellers Should Adapt

Ocean Freight Issues 2026: What’s Disrupting Shipping and How FBA Sellers Should Adapt Updated April 23, 2026. This guide is refreshed monthly to track ocean freight market shifts. Check back for updates on Red Sea / Suez status, Hormuz volatility, rate indices, and 2026 policy events. The ocean freight market in 2026 is more stable […]

DDP Shipping Amazon FBA: Legal Requirements, Cost, and How to Verify Your Provider (2026)

DDP Shipping Amazon FBA: Legal Requirements, Cost, and How to Verify Your Provider (2026) DDP shipping Amazon FBA is a legitimate Incoterm arrangement where one vendor handles ocean/air freight, customs clearance, duty payment, drayage, and delivery to the Amazon fulfillment center under a single all-in quote. DDP is legal and widely used, but the execution […]

Amazon FBA 2026: Every Policy Change Sellers Need to Know

Amazon FBA 2026: Every Policy Change Sellers Need to Know Amazon FBA 2026 is not the same program it was in 2025. A 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge took effect April 17, 2026. Prep and labeling services in the US ended January 1, 2026. Inbound placement fees reshape routing. Cross-dock hubs are rolling out nationally. […]

Is FBA a 3PL? What Amazon FBA Actually Is vs a True 3PL (2026)

Is FBA a 3PL? Quick Answer Yes and no. Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) qualifies as a third-party logistics (3PL) provider in the narrow sense that it warehouses, picks, packs, and ships inventory for sellers. But FBA is a specialized, Amazon-only 3PL that doesn’t do what traditional 3PLs do — it only fulfills Amazon orders, […]

How Long Does Amazon Customs Clearance Take? (2026 Timing Guide)

How Long Does Amazon Customs Clearance Take? Quick Answer US customs clearance for Amazon FBA shipments in 2026 typically takes: Ocean freight: 2-5 business days from vessel arrival at port Air freight: 1-2 business days from airport arrival Express couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS): hours, sometimes overnight If CBP pulls your shipment for physical examination (exam […]

What Are the New FBA Fees in 2026? Complete Breakdown

What Are the New FBA Fees in 2026? Quick Answer Amazon rolled out significant FBA fee changes in 2026 (Amazon Seller Central doc GABBX6GZPA8MSZGW) that affect nearly every seller. Headline changes: a 3.5% fuel and logistics-related surcharge applied to all FBA fulfillment fees effective April 17, 2026; inbound placement fees increased for oversized items, long-tenure […]

How Much Is the FBA Labeling Fee in 2026? Real Costs Explained

How Much Is the FBA Labeling Fee in 2026? Quick Answer The FBA labeling fee in 2026 depends on who’s doing the labeling. Amazon’s own labeling service (where still offered) charges $0.55 per unit. Since Amazon ended its US-based labeling service for most seller accounts in January 2026 — part of the broader Amazon FBA […]

How Much Does FBA Prep Cost in 2026? Real Pricing Breakdown

How Much Does FBA Prep Cost in 2026? Quick Answer FBA prep costs $0.35 to $1.75 per unit in 2026, depending on what services are needed. Basic FNSKU labeling runs $0.15-$0.40 per unit, polybag + suffocation label adds $0.20-$0.55, bundling or kitting runs $0.50-$1.25, and carton relabel is typically $2-$4 per box. Since Amazon ended […]