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Question:

We briefly discussed on completion of the new order by mid-August. I’d like ship it by regular ‘sea shipment’. Will I be able to get the goods to Amazon warehouses by end of October?

Answer:

As a rule, shipping times by "regular sea shipment" are around 40-45 days for Amazon warehouses in the western USA, and around 50-60 days for Amazon warehouses in the central/eastern USA, after the shipment leaves China.

Therefore, in theory, providing shipment is ready to be collected in mid-August, it should arrive within the timeframe you mentioned.

However, please take into account the following:

1. Shipping schedules are subject to change and for the most part, determined by the shipping companies.
2. There are frequent changes in the shipping supply chain and delays for many reasons.

Therefore, considering that on average it takes about two weeks from the moment of collection from the supplier to the departure of the cargo from China, and given there are delays in the delivery of the product by the supplier, negative quality testing, etc., the cargo is likely to sail only at the beginning of September from experience.

Consequently, if the cargo must reach its final destination in the USA by the end of October, you as a seller could find yourself in a problematic situation that could easily lead to a shortage of products.

Per the above scenario described by the seller - I would consider re-discussing with your forwarder a couple of days before the cargo is ready and after opening a relevant shipping plan, to better understand what the actual requirements are and plan the shipping method accordingly.

Your inventory planning should be based on a ‘worst case scenario’ and not per ‘best case scenario’. Long-term success depends on proper inventory planning.

Your inventory = your sales. A business' life cycle is shortened if there is no inventory - no sales.