Hello everyone! I’ve recently moved to Barcelona and I’m planning to open a small shop on Amazon Spain to sell some specialty products from China. I’ve pretty much sorted out the store registration and product selection, but now I’m stuck on the most critical step—logistics.
Specifically, Amazon’s FBA first-leg shipping is giving me a headache. I’ve contacted a few freight forwarders, and the quotes are all over the place, with huge price differences between sea and air freight. I have no idea how tricky it can be. I’d like to ask the experienced members of this forum: what’s the general price range for first-leg shipping from China to an Amazon warehouse in Spain right now? Are there any ‘hidden fees’ that a newbie like me should watch out for? For example, customs duties, clearance fees, handling fees, etc.
My shipment volume isn’t large, as I’m just testing the waters—probably just a small package of around 20-30 kg. A friend mentioned that I could use air freight, which is faster but more expensive. Ocean freight is cheaper, but the transit time is too long, and it seems to have minimum volume requirements. I’m really torn and don’t know which method is best for a small, startup seller like myself.
To help you advise me, I’ve summarized my main questions into a simple table, based on some research into FBA first-leg shipping quotes. I hope experienced members here can help answer them. Thank you so much in advance!
| Shipping Method | Approx. Transit Time | Approx. Cost for 20kg? | Main Advantages | Main Disadvantages |
|---|
| Air Freight | 7-15 days | ? | Fast, good for restocking | High cost |
| Rail Freight / China-Europe Railway | 30-40 days | ? | Good value for money | Unstable transit time |
| Ocean Freight | 40-60 days | ? | Low cost, suitable for large shipments | Very long transit time |
Most importantly, does anyone have recommendations for reliable Chinese freight forwarders in Spain that are easy to communicate with? Or any guides on how to choose a forwarder and avoid pitfalls? For instance, should I sign a contract? How do I review a quote to avoid getting ripped off? Any advice would be incredibly valuable to me. Thanks in advance, everyone! I look forward to your replies and discussion! Hope my first shipment doesn’t run into problems.
