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Read our news and articles about amazon seller central, shipping and freight preparations.
14 March
The Ultimate Guide to Shipping to Amazon FBA: How Rapid Express Freight Can Save You Time and Money
IntroductionShipping to Amazon FBA can be a complex and daunting task for many sellers. With various requirements and guidelines to follow, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, utilizing the services of a reliable 3PL company like 3PL Guys (http://3plguys.com/) can help streamline the process and save you time and money. In this ultimate guide, we'll explore how Rapid Express Freight can make shipping to Amazon FBA more efficient and cost-effective for your business.
Benefits of Using Rapid Express Freight for Amazon FBA Shipping- Speed and Reliability: One of the key advantages of using Rapid Express Freight is the speed and reliability of their services. With their vast experience in logistics and freight forwarding, they can ensure your shipments reach Amazon FBA warehouses quickly and without any issues.
- Cost Savings: By utilizing the services of a professional 3PL service like 3PL Guys, you can take advantage of their competitive rates, which are often lower than handling shipping in-house. Furthermore, their expertise in Amazon inventory management and warehousing software can help you optimize your supply chain, leading to additional cost savings.
- Expertise in Amazon FBA Requirements: Rapid Express Freight has extensive knowledge of Amazon FBA guidelines and requirements. They understand the intricacies of pallet receiving, container unloading, and Amazon product packing. This ensures your shipments comply with Amazon's standards, reducing the risk of penalties or delays.
- Comprehensive Services: 3PL Guys offer a wide range of services to cater to your specific needs, such as carton forwarding, pallet forwarding, re-boxing, and even China inspection services. By consolidating your logistics needs with one provider, you can simplify your supply chain and reduce the time spent managing multiple service providers.
- Advanced Warehousing Software: With their unique warehouse management software and mobile app, 3PL Guys makes managing your inventory a breeze. You can track your shipments in real-time and gain insights into your stock levels, helping you make informed decisions about your inventory.
- Customized Solutions: 3PL Guys understands that every business is different and offers tailored solutions to meet your unique needs. From labeling and product assembly to bundling and promotional inserts, they can help you create a seamless and efficient shipping process for your Amazon FBA business.
Shipping to Amazon FBA can be a challenging process, but with the help of Rapid Express Freight and 3PL Guys, you can save time and money while ensuring your shipments meet all Amazon requirements. By taking advantage of their wide range of services, including warehousing, logistics, and inventory management, you can focus on growing your business while leaving the complex shipping tasks to the experts.
Visit http://3plguys.com/ to learn more about their services and how they can help improve your Amazon FBA shipping process.
14 March
What are the Differences Between FTL and LTL?
What Is LTL?LTL stands for Less Than Truckload. It refers to the freight that utilizes a trailer only partially. To put it more simply, this means that products from different shippers will share the same truck on the way to their consumers. LTL functions on a double model – hub and spoke. First, the freight would reach the spoke terminals. The load there is divided and then sent further hub terminals via outbound trailers.
What Is FTL?Full Truck Load is the full version of FTL. This is used when a producer has enough things to ship that they need an individual truck. This doesn’t mean that the truck has to be completely full. Maybe, a company would rent a separate truck even for a small number of products that may be fragile.
How Do These Two Compare?
Which One Is More Expensive?
Right of the bet, FTL is on the costly side. This seems logical. After all, you will be renting an entire truck just for yourself. You have to partake in the gas bills, driver`s efforts, space etc. On the other hand, LTL is much more cost-effective. You share the fees with other shippers. This is perfect for small-scale businesses. They still don’t have power over a big amount of money and therefore have to find any way to save an extra dollar while still trying their best to provide the best service to the customers.
The Issue Of SecurityAlthough LTL is low-priced, this may not be worth it if your freight gets suffers a sort of an accident. When you take this option, you have to be aware that the products you`re shipping will share room many others. Tottering could be caused by some abnormalities on the road, boxes will crash against each other and there you go – a problem arises. Moreover, the freight would have to change two different trucks on the way to its final destination. More space for damage.
Which One Works FasterWith FTL, the road of your freight is straightforward. There are no stops, no pauses – the products directly go from the point A to the point B. You might pay extra, but if there is a high consumer demand, it will pay off in the long run.
What About The Size Of Shipment?LTL lets you ship only up to 5,000 pound freight. FTL, therefore, has an advantage here because it is suitable for much larger shipments. Why sending your products multiple times via LTL when you can send it all at once in a single vehicle.
Ready to Ship?You really have to measure up your business and your pocket. If you are just at the beginning and don’t make that much profit yet it means you probably do not have the means to finance the FTL. Moreover, selling a bunch of products at once during this stage is dangerous. You still can’t predict the success. Therefore you have to dip your finger into the water first, feel the possible demand and then decide yourself for the FTL if the business goes well. At that point FTL may be a better choice, as it is safer, not as time-consuming as LTL and will prove to be economical in future. Now that you are set, click here to start an order with us!
6 January
How to Get an EIN from Outside the U.S.
We’ve received a lot of questions from our non-U.S. customers lately about how to go about obtaining an EIN (employer identification number) if you are not a U.S. citizen and are outside the U.S. There are a few services out there that will do this for you, but at insane prices! We’ve broken this down for everyone as the process can be a little sticky at best, and a nightmare at worst! (Note: If you’re already in the U.S. you can get an EIN online in about 5 minutes through the IRS website.)
Why Do I Need an EIN?
An EIN is a tax identification number that the IRS (internal revenue service) uses to track and receive income taxes for businesses. There are two main reasons you will need an EIN as an Amazon seller. First, Amazon requires some sort of tax id when creating a professional sellers account in the United States. If you’re outside the U.S., you most likely won’t have a social security number (SSN) or individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN), so you will need to enter an EIN for your business. Second, in order to import goods into the United States you will either need a tax id (SSN, ITIN, or EIN), or you can file some complicated forms with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In our experience, it is much easier (and cheaper) to get an EIN in order to import, but we wanted to let you know there are other options.
How Do I Get an EIN?
Obtaining your EIN can be complicated, and there are many services out there that will do it for you, charging upwards of $500! Follow the steps below and save yourself some money!
Step 1: Get a U.S. Mailing Address
The first thing you’ll need is a mailing address in the U.S. If you’re an Amazon seller outside the U.S. you probably don’t have one of these. You can get a nice friend to loan you theirs, or pay a service to receive mail for you/your company. We researched a few of the biggest providers of U.S. mailing addresses and USAMail1 was our favorite. They had great user reviews, and very reasonable pricing at just $10 per month. They’ll hold your mail/packages for you, and forward them to you whenever you request.
Step 2: Fill Out IRS Form SS-4
The form you need to fill out to obtain an EIN is the SS-4. The form can be found on the IRS website, and the instructions can be found here. The caveat with this form is you won’t actually need to file it, so don’t stress too much about having everything perfect, you’ll just need the information when you call to get your EIN. (Note: You can fill out the SS-4 and mail it to the IRS. They will take 30 days to have an EIN created and mailed to your U.S. address, and if there are any errors on the form it will most likely get rejected. It is much easier to just call and get your EIN instantly.)
Step 3: Call the IRS
Once you have a U.S. address and form SS-4 filled out it’s time to call the IRS and get
your EIN. This call WILL take close to an hour, including hold time, and the number is
not toll-free, so be prepared. We recommend using a service like Google Voice or Skype
for cheap international calling. The number to call is +1 267 941 1099. Keep in mind
this is not a 24 hour phone line. The hours of operation are between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time (GMT – 5:00), Monday through Friday.
You’ll need to press 1 for a foreign EIN, and then hold anywhere between 15 and 45
minutes (don’t run out of Skype credit!) When you finally get an agent on the phone let
them know you need an EIN for a foreign sole proprietorship. The agent will most likely
ask if you have filled out form SS-4, and then proceed to ask a few more simple
questions about your business. Once you have answered all of the questions the agent
will issue you an EIN that you can begin to use immediately. Write your EIN down and
don’t lose it. You will not be mailed a copy for a few weeks, and even then it will be
to your U.S. address.
Step 4: Use Liberally!
Now that you have an EIN go to town! You’ll be ready to set up your U.S. based Amazon seller account, import goods into the U.S. and lots of other great things. Now that you’re all set, click here to start an order with us!
Update: It has come to our attention that a US mailing address may no longer be required. Please speak to your IRS representative for more details.
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Have a question? Contact our customer service agents at info@3plguys.com.
24 November
What are Shipping Incoterms? EXW and FOB Explained
The typical terms for sea and air freight shipments will be one of two Incoterms: Ex Works (EXW) or Free on Board (FOB).
EXW – Ex Works
In simple terms, you are responsible for arranging all transportation, international shipping, and customs from their factory to the final destination. Your supplier will not arrange for this and it will not be paid on your behalf by the supplier. The title for the goods is passed to the buyer once the goods leave the factory.
What does this means for 3PLGUYS customers?
Instead of arranging this all yourself, you hand the reins to us and we take over communication with your supplier. We will schedule to pick up your goods from the supplier and will deliver it to the port of origin, where we will ensure all customs and port fees are paid for. We book your shipment, clear customs, and arrange for delivery to 3PLGUYS and then to Amazon.
Should I choose EXW?
This is the highest risk option for those who are not using a freight forwarding company to handle the process. It is the lowest risk option for those who are using a freight forwarding company, since all aspects of transportation and customs will be handled by a single company.
FOB – Free on Board
When your shipment is FOB, you will pay your supplier to handle everything up until the goods are delivered to the port. They will handle any of the paperwork, customs fees at origin, and port fees at origin. Once your goods are at the port of origin, you are responsible for arranging and paying for shipping and customs at the destination port. FOB is the most popular term of sale that we see.
What does this means for 3PLGUYS customers?
3PLGUYS will arrange for your shipment to be booked on a boat or plane. We will make sure all documents are filed for your goods to clear customs before they arrive in the United States. We will arrange for delivery to 3PLGUYS and then to Amazon’s fulfillment centers.
Should I choose FOB?
This is the lower risk option of the two for those who are not using a freight forwarding company to handle transportation from your supplier to the port, though there are still several hurdles to jump through when arranging shipping and customs clearance on your own. It is the slightly riskier option for those who are using a freight forwarding company, since the supplier is responsible for delivering the goods. However, in our experience, most supplier do not have a problem delivering goods in a timely manner.
3PLGUYS can quote both EXW and FOB shipments so that you can make sure you are saving the most money on the ground transportation to the port. Contact info@3plguys.com for more details.