More and more entrepreneurs nowadays have started using Amazon FBA for their e-commerce business. Like dropshipping, FBA allows you to sell your products online, but it’s not as simple as selecting your products and waiting for the money to come in.
At the cost of convenience, you lose the ability to control the production and logistics process. But working with a third-party inspection expert makes it possible. That’s the point of working with a quality control expert.
What is Amazon FBA?
FBA stands for Fulfillment By Amazon. That means you can choose the products you want to sell on Amazon and work with a fulfillment center that will do all the picking, packing, shipping, returns, and even customer service for you.
Most of these products are produced and kept at the fulfillment center in China.
This way of operation has allowed many entrepreneurs to start online businesses. This is because they no longer have to worry about inventory and logistics and can focus on growing their brand. This popular business model has many advantages, but there are some risks with other types of businesses.
In this business model, there is no physical space to monitor and analyze the production process. No matter how reliable the online manufacturer is, you cannot ensure that the product and logistics are working correctly.
Why do we need FBA inspections?
Unlike the traditional inventory holding model, FBA allows you to sell without having a list. Starting this sort of business allows you to outsource the entire manufacturing and supply chain process to another company.
For this reason, we can’t stress enough the importance of FBA inspections – they are not mandatory, but they are the best way to ensure the longevity of your business. If you would like your business to succeed as well as stay compliant, you should always inspect your products.
Here are some of the most popular reasons why our FBA inspections are vital
1. Reputational risk
Running an FBA business is a great way to reduce your upfront costs, but there is a risk that your customers will have a negative experience. This Is because you;have no control over the packaging, assembly, shipping, and handling of your products.
What’s more, a bad review on Amazon can ruin everything, so it’s an opportunity you shouldn’t miss. Amazon is a very competitive online marketplace, and even if you do well in other areas, it can be hard to stand out.
Investing in FBA inspections will help you avoid star ratings for broken packaging, product defects, and extended delivery times.
2. Maintain compliance
It is often assumed that FBA fulfillment centers in China are aware of Amazon’s fulfillment requirements, but this is not always the case. Using a quality control company to check your shipments and how they are configured, you can ensure that all of these aspects align with Amazon’s standards and maintain your reputation.
This will help you comply with Amazon FBA standards. According to Amazon’s FBA Quick Start Guide, failure to abide by these “may result in the immediate rejection of your inventory by Amazon’s fulfillment centers, the disposal or return of your list, the blocking of future shipments to fulfillment centers, and the billing of unscheduled services.
In addition to reviewing the FBA Starter Guide, use the comprehensive checklist to ensure that your manufacturer meets Amazon’s standards.
3. Prevent delivery delays
Failing to check your products and packages risks causing shipping delays. If your products are not correctly labeled or packaged, they will be stopped by customs. Don’t make this mistake of thinking that Amazon will cover customs duties and value-added taxes.
Amazon is not responsible for any customs duties imposed on imported goods and is not the “importer of record” for your interests. Amazon can only be called the “final consignee” if the documentation says “by FBA” of the merchandise.
Make sure that all packages list your business as the importer and final consignee. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to make sure that your container is not rejected. If you work with your suppliers or an inspection company in China, this should be a piece of cake.
4. Save money
You may be thinking that you’re cutting costs by avoiding quality checks, but you may be throwing money away. The financial impact of not complying with Amazon’s FBA requirements can quickly eat away at your profits, especially if you are already running on thin margins.
FBA inspections are not free, but their clarity and scrutiny can undoubtedly help you avoid costly penalties and delays that could have been avoided.
Using a customs broker for Amazon FBA can help you work more smoothly with fulfillment and logistics providers. However, as an Amazon seller, it is also quintessential that you keep your factory personnel well informed of Amazon’s packaging and labeling requirements. Additionally, this is one of the best ways to maintain high quality.
