Your first FBA shipment reaches the US, but customs holds it because no one is set up as importer of record. Your listing sits empty while the stock waits.
What Is Shipping to Amazon US From India?
Shipping to Amazon US from India means getting your products to US buyers either directly by courier (FBM) or in bulk to Amazon fulfillment centres (FBA). Both routes need correct customs paperwork. Courier shipments to US buyers now pay duty regardless of value.
Two Ways to Sell on Amazon US from India
Indian sellers on Amazon Global Selling fulfil US orders in one of two ways. The choice drives your logistics, your cash flow and your customs exposure.
- Merchant fulfilled (FBM): You keep inventory in India and ship each order directly to the US buyer by express courier
- Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA): You send bulk inventory to Amazon fulfilment centres in the US. Amazon stores, packs and delivers each order
FBM is simpler to start and needs no upfront inventory in the US. FBA gives faster delivery and Prime eligibility, but you must clear a bulk import through US customs. Amazon Global Selling offers programmes for both routes.
Important: The US $800 De Minimis Exemption No Longer Applies
Until 2025, low-value shipments to US buyers under $800 could enter duty free. That exemption has been suspended for all countries, and a CBP rule effective 24 June 2026 made the suspension indefinite for every mode except the international postal network.
What this means for Indian sellers: Courier shipments to US buyers are now subject to applicable duties regardless of value. Do not assume a small parcel clears duty free. Tariff rates on Indian-origin goods have changed several times since 2025, so check the current rate for your HS code on the CBP website before you price your product.
Who Pays the Duty - DDP vs DAP
- DAP (Delivered at Place): The buyer pays import duty and taxes when the parcel arrives. Buyers on Amazon often refuse or complain about surprise charges
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): You pay duty up front and build it into your price. This is the better option for Amazon sellers because the buyer pays nothing extra at delivery
For FBM, price your listing to include duty and shipping so the buyer sees one final price. For FBA, duty is paid by the importer of record when the bulk shipment clears, and recovered through your unit price.
Importer of Record and Customs Bond (FBA)
For an FBA inbound shipment, someone must be the importer of record (IOR) in the US. The IOR is legally responsible for the entry, duties and accuracy of customs documents.
- Foreign seller as IOR: You can act as IOR, but you need a US customs bond and usually a US customs broker to file the entry
- Freight forwarder or logistics provider as IOR: Many forwarders offer door-to-door service that covers the broker, bond and delivery to the Amazon warehouse
- Amazon Global Logistics: Amazon offers an India-to-US inbound service for FBA sellers. Check current availability and terms in Seller Central
How to Ship FBA Inventory From India: Inbound Process
- Step 1: Create your shipment plan in Seller Central and print FNSKU labels for every unit
- Step 2: Prepare and pack to Amazon's requirements: polybagging, bubble wrap or labelling as required for the category
- Step 3: Pack in cartons within Amazon's weight and size limits, with box content information and shipment labels on each carton
- Step 4: Book air or ocean freight with a forwarder. Air is faster and costlier. Ocean suits bulk, non-urgent stock
- Step 5: Clear Indian export customs with your IEC and shipping bill, then clear US import customs through your broker
- Step 6: Amazon receives the stock at the assigned fulfilment centre and makes it available for sale
Documents You Will Need
- Commercial invoice with accurate HS code, value, country of origin (India) and Incoterm
- Packing list matching the invoice carton by carton
- IEC (Import Export Code) and GST LUT or refund documentation for exports
- Shipping bill for Indian export customs
- Air waybill or bill of lading
- US customs bond and importer of record details (FBA)
- Product-specific documents: FDA registration and prior notice for food and supplements, and FDA facility registration and product listing for cosmetics, CPSC compliance for children's products
Product Compliance to Check Before Shipping
- Food, supplements and cosmetics: FDA rules apply. Registration, labelling and, for food and supplements, prior notice requirements must be met before shipment
- Children's products and toys: Safety testing and certification requirements apply
- Textiles and apparel: Fibre content and care labelling rules apply
- Amazon category approvals: Some categories require approval before you can list or ship
- Batteries and restricted goods: Lithium battery products, liquids and aerosols have carrier and Amazon restrictions. Declare correctly
Shipping FBM Orders and Samples from India
For merchant-fulfilled orders and samples to Amazon buyers or prep centres, express courier is the practical route:
- Use FedEx or Aramex for tracked delivery of individual orders
- Provide complete invoices with correct HS code and value. Under-declaring value to reduce duty causes customs holds and penalties
- Buyers expect tracking updates. Amazon penalises late delivery and missing tracking
- Quote a realistic delivery date. International express typically takes 4 to 8 business days, but customs clearance can add time
Compare FedEx and Aramex rates for your parcel weight with the iCarry® international rate calculator before you quote a delivery price.
How iCarry® Supports Amazon US Sellers
iCarry® is a courier aggregator that gives Indian sellers access to FedEx and Aramex for international parcels and multiple courier partners for domestic movement.
- International rate comparison: Compare FedEx and Aramex rates by weight and destination before booking FBM orders and samples
- Domestic pre-export movement: Move stock from your factory or warehouse to your forwarder or prep partner using multiple courier partners
- Declared value coverage: Protect high-value international shipments in transit
Free Bronze plan, no minimum volume.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there still a US $800 duty-free limit for shipments from India?
No. The US suspended the de minimis exemption for all countries in 2025, and a CBP rule effective 24 June 2026 made the suspension indefinite for all modes except the international postal network. Courier shipments to US buyers are now subject to applicable duties regardless of value. Check current tariff rates for your product's HS code before pricing.
Should I choose FBA or merchant fulfilled from India?
Start with FBM if you want to test demand with minimal inventory risk and no US customs bond. Move to FBA when you have proven bestsellers and want faster delivery and Prime eligibility. FBA requires you to clear a bulk import, act as or appoint an importer of record, and meet Amazon's prep and carton rules.
What is an importer of record and do I need one?
The importer of record is the party legally responsible for the US customs entry, duties and documents. For FBA bulk shipments you need one. You can act as IOR with a US customs bond and broker, or use a freight forwarder or logistics provider that offers IOR and door-to-door service.
Can I ship FBA inventory using an express courier?
Small FBA replenishment shipments can move by express courier, but each carton must meet Amazon's labelling, weight and size rules, and duty applies to the whole consignment. For larger inventory, air or ocean freight through a forwarder is usually more cost-effective than express courier.
Shipping to Amazon US from India comes down to a few decisions made early: FBM by express courier to test demand, or FBA in bulk once a product proves itself; DDP so the buyer sees one final price; and, for FBA, a named importer of record with a customs bond and broker in place before the stock leaves. The $800 de minimis exemption no longer applies, so price duty into every listing and check the current tariff for your HS code.