How to send stock from the UK to Amazon FBA in the USA
You can sell on Amazon.com from the UK and keep stock in US fulfilment centres, but Amazon will not be the importer for you. You, or a company acting for you, must be the importer of record, clear US customs and pay any duties before the goods can be delivered to Amazon.
What you need before you ship
- An importer of record: your business, or a freight forwarder or service acting as importer for you.
- A US customs broker, strongly recommended, to file the entry.
- A customs bond, often needed as security for duties.
- A US importer number for your business (an EIN, or a number issued by US Customs).
- For sea freight, an ISF ("10+2") filing before the goods are loaded.
Amazon's own US seller guidance makes the same point: it will not act as importer of record for FBA stock, whatever the size or value of the shipment.
How to ship
| Option | Typical time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Express courier | About 3 to 6 days | Testing a product, small top-ups |
| Air freight | About 1 to 2 weeks | Medium shipments, fast-selling stock |
| Sea freight (LCL or FCL) | About 3 to 6 weeks | Bulk stock, best cost per unit |
Duty and the end of duty-free small parcels
The USA ended duty-free entry for low-value parcels in 2025, so plan on duty for every shipment. The rate depends on the product's tariff classification and where it was made, not where it ships from: goods made in China and shipped via the UK are usually treated as Chinese for duty.
Compare options
Use the freight rate comparison for air and sea estimates from the UK to the USA, or send smaller boxes by courier.
Sources
Questions people ask
Can Amazon be my importer of record in the US?
No. Amazon does not act as importer of record for FBA stock. You or a company acting for you must take that role.
Do I need a US company to sell on Amazon.com?
Not necessarily, but you need an importer of record, and usually a customs broker and bond, to bring stock into the USA.