Sea, air and express compared for Amazon FBA shipments from China — transit, cost profile and when each mode wins.
XCJD Logistics is a China-based international freight forwarder founded in 2011 that ships FBA inventory by sea, air and express — 15+ years, 8,000+ shipments, 150+ destinations.
Amazon FBA ships from China three ways: express (3–7 days, under 30 kg), air DDP (5–10 days) and sea DDP (25–35 days). Sea is the most cost-efficient per CBM for bulk restocks; air protects deadlines; express handles small parcels. FC appointment delivery is scheduled for every mode.
The mode choice determines whether your inventory arrives before or after the stock-out. Booking sea for a restock that needed air — or paying air rates for cargo that could go by sea — both cost money.
| Mode | Transit | Cost profile | Best for | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Express | 3–7 days | Per kg, small parcels | Samples, urgent small SKUs | | Air DDP | 5–10 days | Higher per kg | Deadline-driven restocks | | Sea DDP | 25–35 days | Lowest per CBM | Planned replenishment, bulk |
All modes include FBA prep coordination and FC appointment delivery; sea DDP includes LTL from the port.
Volume, weight, dimensions, restock deadline and target marketplace. Battery or oversized SKUs need a pre-check.
Since 2011 we have modeled FBA mode choices for sellers restocking US, EU and UK marketplaces — including split strategies (sea for bulk, air for urgent SKUs). See our FBA China→USA page.
Send your volume, weight and deadline and we return one quote with sea and air options side by side — fixed DDP prices, quoted within 24 hours.
Express (3–7 days, under 30 kg), air DDP (5–10 days) and sea DDP (25–35 days) — each with FC appointment delivery.
Sea DDP is the most cost-efficient per CBM for bulk restocks; air and express trade cost for speed.
When the restock deadline is within 5–10 days — air DDP protects sales rank for high-demand SKUs.
Express suits small parcels under 30 kg; bulk FBA inventory moves by sea or air.
No — FC appointment delivery is scheduled for all modes; LTL from the port is included in sea DDP.
Send volume, weight and restock deadline. We recommend the mode that fits and compare both in the quote.
Within 24 hours — usually 2 hours on business days.
Tell us your cargo details — we'll recommend the most cost-effective route.
