Korea to Amazon FBA, handled end to end from Incheon
TY Logistics runs the whole chain through a single point of contact: Korean pickup and export clearance, US import customs, our LA Carson 3PL warehouse, and delivery into Amazon fulfillment centers. The same warehouse also serves AWD, FBM, TikTok Shop and Shopee orders.
Lead times
Incheon departure to US arrival
| Mode | Transit |
|---|---|
| Air (ICN → LAX) | 2-3 days |
| FCL (full container) | 6-14 days |
| LCL (consolidation) | 12-15 days |
These transit times run to US arrival. Import clearance, warehouse receiving and the Amazon FBA appointment window depend on cargo specifics and customs, so they are quoted separately for each shipment.
How it works
- 1
Korean pickup and export clearance
Supplier pickup, inspection and export declaration.
- 2
Air or ocean freight
We propose the best mix of air, FCL and LCL for your volume and deadline.
- 3
US import customs
IOR setup, duty and MPF assessment, and agency filings such as FDA.
- 4
LA Carson 3PL receiving
Inbound inspection and storage, ready for channel-specific outbound.
- 5
FBA delivery or direct to consumer
Delivery into FBA and AWD, or per-order FBM shipping to the end customer.
Three Importer of Record options
The US Importer of Record can be structured three ways depending on your situation. A US entity is not required.
Your own IOR
If you hold a US entity and EIN, goods are imported under your name.
FIOR (foreign importer)
A Korean company with no US entity imports directly as the foreign importer of record.
Partner IOR service
Where the import requirements are hard to meet in-house, we arrange IOR through our partner.
Sales channels we serve
One inventory pool, multiple channels out of the same warehouse.
Amazon FBA
Delivery into Amazon fulfillment centers
Amazon AWD
Distributed storage with automatic FBA replenishment
Amazon FBM
Direct-to-consumer shipping from the LA warehouse
TikTok Shop · Shopee
Channel orders picked from the same warehouse
Automated FBM order integration
Our LA warehouse WMS integrates with Amazon Seller Central in both directions. No manual order forwarding is required.
- FBM orders flow automatically into the warehouse system and trigger picking and packing.
- Once shipped, delivery details and the tracking number are written back to Seller Central automatically.
- Setup usually takes 1-3 business days, with warehouse IT handling the API authorization.
FBA shelf life requirements
Amazon requires a minimum remaining shelf life measured at the moment the goods arrive at the fulfillment center. Short-dated inventory can be refused, so this must be checked before shipping.
| Product category | Remaining shelf life on arrival |
|---|---|
| Chips and other snacks | 90 |
| Dried fruit | 180 |
| Baby food | 180 |
| Cereal and granola bars | 180 |
| Pet food and treats | 180 |
| Beverages such as coffee, tea, soda and juice | 270 |
| Salad dressings and oils | 270 |
| Flour, spices and baking supplies | 270 |
| Peanut butter, jam and preserves | 365 |
| Pasta | 365 |
| Seasonings including iodized salt and pepper | 365 |
| Candy | 540 |
| Canned food | 540 |
| Herbal or mineral supplements | 730 |
| Cleaning products | 900 |
| Personal care and cosmetics (shampoo, soap, lotion, makeup, fragrance) | 900 |
Source: Amazon FBA product expiration date policy. Policies change, so confirm the current rules before shipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take from Korea to a US FBA center?
From Incheon, air freight reaches LAX in 2-3 days, FCL takes 6-14 days and LCL 12-15 days. Import clearance, warehouse receiving and the FBA appointment after arrival depend on the shipment, so we quote them case by case.
Can I ship to FBA without a US entity?
Yes. Without a US entity and EIN you can import as a foreign importer of record (FIOR), or we can arrange IOR through our partner.
Should I choose FBA or FBM?
FBA gives you Amazon visibility and Prime delivery speed, while FBM keeps inventory control and expiry management in your hands. For short-dated goods or products restricted from FBA, FBM is the practical route. We operate both from the same warehouse.
What happens to short-dated inventory?
If the remaining shelf life falls under Amazon requirements, FBA may refuse the delivery. In that case the goods can be stored at our LA 3PL warehouse and shipped to end customers as FBM orders arrive.
Can I run non-Amazon channels at the same time?
Yes. The same LA inventory can fulfil Amazon FBA, AWD and FBM as well as TikTok Shop and Shopee orders.
Do you handle small volumes?
Yes. Small volumes move by LCL or air consolidation, and we switch you to FCL as volume grows to bring the unit cost down.
One point of contact from Korea to Amazon FBA
Send us your product details, expected volume and target sales channels, and we will come back with a mode-by-mode comparison and estimated costs.
Request a quote