Shipping & Export
FOB, Door-to-Door or Amazon FBA-Ready? How to Ship Pet Products from China
· 6 min read
Shipping is where many first-time importers lose money. A low factory price means little if the freight plan is wrong. Pet products such as cat trees and pet beds are bulky but light, so the shipping method and the way cartons are packed have a big effect on your final cost per unit. This guide explains the three most common options and how to choose between them.
The three main shipping options
1. FOB (Free on Board)
With FOB, the factory delivers your goods to a Chinese port and loads them onto the vessel. From that point you are responsible for ocean freight, import duties, customs clearance and delivery to your warehouse, usually through your own freight forwarder. It is often the lowest-cost option if you already work with a forwarder you trust.
2. Door-to-door delivery
With door-to-door, the supplier arranges the whole journey, including freight, customs paperwork and delivery to your address. The total price is higher than FOB, but you handle much less yourself. This suits first-time importers and buyers placing smaller orders.
3. Amazon FBA-ready shipping
FBA-ready means goods are packed, labelled and boxed to meet Amazon's receiving requirements so they can go to a fulfilment centre without being re-packed. It saves you work, but only if you send your labels and carton rules to the factory before production starts.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | FOB | Door-to-door | FBA-ready |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who arranges freight | You or your forwarder | Supplier | Depends on agreed terms |
| Your workload | Highest | Lowest | Medium |
| Control over cost | Highest | Lower | Medium |
| Best for | Experienced importers | First orders, smaller volumes | Amazon sellers |
Planning a bulk order?
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Request a QuoteHow to choose the right method
- Experienced importer with a trusted forwarder: FOB gives you the most control.
- First order or smaller volume: door-to-door reduces the risk of expensive mistakes.
- Selling on Amazon: choose FBA-ready packing and agree labels in writing before production.
Packing decides your freight cost
Bulky products take up container space, so carton size matters as much as the freight rate. Ask your supplier for carton dimensions and weight for every product before you order, and compare the landed cost per unit rather than only the factory price. Our packaging options page explains what we can prepare for you.
Common shipping mistakes to avoid
- Comparing factory prices without including freight and duties
- Not confirming carton size and weight before ordering
- Leaving labels and barcodes until after production
- Skipping the pre-shipment inspection
- Not asking which port the goods will leave from
How SenYue can help
SenYue International exports to North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, including Turkey and Ukraine. We offer FOB China main port, door-to-door delivery and Amazon FBA-ready shipping, and every order receives a pre-shipment inspection described in our quality control process. Read more on our export and shipping page.
Tell us your target market and quantity and we will recommend the right method. Send us an inquiry and our team replies within 24 hours.
Ready to source? Request a Quote
Tell us your products and quantities — we reply within 24 hours.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What does FOB mean?
FOB means Free on Board. The supplier covers the cost of getting your goods onto the ship at the Chinese port, and you pay for everything after that.
Which shipping option is cheapest?
FOB is usually the lowest cost if you already have a freight forwarder, but door-to-door can be better value for small or first-time orders because it saves you time and avoids mistakes.
Can you prepare goods for Amazon FBA?
Yes. We offer Amazon FBA-ready shipping. Please send your labelling and carton requirements before production starts.
Do you inspect goods before shipping?
Yes. Pre-shipment inspection is carried out on every order.
