With Amazon Global Warehousing and Distribution, sellers can now store inventory in Shanghai or Shenzhen, use FOB shipping terms, and replenish U.S. FBA inventory as demand grows instead of paying to store excess inventory in the United States.
Sellers sourcing products from China have another way to position inventory before it enters Amazon’s U.S. fulfillment network. The added flexibility may help businesses align replenishment schedules more closely with customer demand.
The expanded Amazon Global Warehousing and Distribution service introduces new shipping capabilities that could reduce storage costs and improve inventory planning for FBA sellers. Below is a breakdown of what changed, who should consider using it, and what to review before booking a shipment.
Amazon Adds Shanghai Hub and FOB Support to GWD
Amazon has expanded Amazon Global Warehousing and Distribution by adding a new Shanghai location and introducing greater flexibility for shipments headed to U.S. FBA. The update also adds support for Free on Board shipping terms across all GWD locations, giving sellers more options when planning inventory movement through Amazon logistics.
Sellers can now choose an Amazon warehouse in China in either Shanghai or Shenzhen based on which location is closer to their manufacturer. According to the announcement, shorter domestic shipping distances can help inventory become available sooner and improve readiness for U.S. FBA replenishment.
The latest Amazon GWD update also gives sellers more control over export documentation by allowing separate invoices for export declarations and container handling and unloading fees at the port of origin. Amazon says these documents can support the export tax refund process while helping sellers better manage shipping paperwork.
The announcement also highlights several benefits for sellers using the service, including the ability to start with a single shipment, avoid long-term commitments, and store inventory in China before moving it to the United States as needed. An Amazon agency may recommend reviewing these new options to determine whether they fit your current inventory strategy and replenishment schedule.
Shanghai Hub Expands Inventory Planning for U.S. FBA
The new Amazon Global Warehousing and Distribution facility in Shanghai gives sellers another location to stage U.S.-bound inventory before it enters Amazon’s fulfillment network. JiuFang Logistics reports that the site joins the existing Shenzhen distribution center, giving businesses an additional option for storing bulk inventory in China.
Instead of immediately sending an entire production run to the United States, sellers can hold inventory in China and separate long-term stock from inventory already assigned to an Amazon FBA fulfillment center. This approach can support larger replenishment batches while keeping inventory available for future demand.
| Feature | What It Means for Sellers |
|---|---|
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New location
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Shanghai distribution center for U.S.-bound FBA inventory
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Existing network
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Works alongside the Shenzhen distribution center
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Inventory strategy
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Store bulk inventory before assigning it to U.S. FBA
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Planning benefit
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Separate long-term inventory from stock ready for fulfillment
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Shipping consideration
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Account for transit, export, import clearance, and Amazon receiving time
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Sellers considering Amazon GWD Shanghai should still build enough time into their replenishment plans for international shipping and customs processing before inventory reaches Amazon fulfillment centers. Amazon also recommends working backward from the required U.S. holiday inventory check-in date when scheduling ocean or air freight from China.
Sellers Gain More Inventory Control With Expanded GWD Network
According to ChannelMax, the expanded Amazon Global Warehousing and Distribution service gives sellers more flexibility to stage inventory in China and move eligible units into the U.S. fulfillment network based on demand. Instead of exporting an entire production run at once, businesses can maintain upstream inventory and replenish FBA as needed.
For sellers evaluating Amazon GWD Shanghai, the location offers another option alongside Shenzhen for positioning inventory closer to manufacturing operations. The service allows inventory to flow through Amazon logistics into the U.S. fulfillment network using automated replenishment capabilities or manual inventory management, depending on available account settings.
The expanded network may be especially useful for seasonal products, long production cycles, and established ASINs with predictable sales patterns. Sellers placing large factory orders can hold inventory in an Amazon warehouse in China and export quantities when they are closer to being needed, rather than sending the full order to the United States immediately.
Amazon notes that the approach is not suitable for every product, and sellers should compare storage, processing, freight forwarding, and transportation costs before making a decision. Businesses should also factor in shipment timing, customs clearance, and complete landed costs while monitoring production delays or demand changes that could affect replenishment plans.
