Does Amazon Have Fulfillment Centers in China?

Wondering where Amazon actually stores and ships products in China?
Confused by Amazon FBA, third-party logistics, and cross-border fulfillment?

I hear this question all the time:
Does Amazon have fulfillment centers in China?

The short answer is yes — but not in the way most sellers expect.

Let’s break it down clearly, without buzzwords or guesswork.

The Short Answer (Clear and Honest)

Yes, Amazon does operate fulfillment centers in China.
But those centers do not function like U.S. or EU FBA warehouses.

They mainly support:

• Domestic China operations

• Seller exports

• Cross-border logistics preparation

They are not designed for global FBA storage or direct international order fulfillment.

That distinction matters a lot.

Where Amazon Operates in China

Amazon has had a presence in China for years.

Their operations include:

• Corporate offices

• Technology and cloud infrastructure

• Logistics and fulfillment facilities

These facilities are located near major manufacturing and export hubs.

Examples include areas around:

• Shenzhen

• Shanghai

• Guangzhou

However, these sites are not public FBA warehouses where international sellers can freely send inventory for global fulfillment.

What Amazon Fulfillment Centers in China Actually Do

Amazon’s China fulfillment centers focus on supporting the supply chain, not final delivery to global customers.

Their main roles include:

• Receiving goods from factories

• Sorting and consolidating shipments

• Preparing inventory for export

• Supporting Seller Central operations

Think of them as logistics nodes, not end-destination warehouses.

Why Amazon Doesn’t Use China as a Global FBA Hub

This is where many sellers get confused.

Amazon avoids using China as a global fulfillment base for three reasons.

1. Shipping Time Expectations

Amazon’s brand promise relies on speed.

Shipping from China directly to customers would mean:

• Longer transit times

• Customs delays

• Unpredictable delivery windows

That goes against Prime expectations.

2. Customs and Tax Complexity

Cross-border fulfillment introduces:

• Import taxes

• Duties

• Compliance issues

Amazon reduces risk by fulfilling from destination countries instead.

3. Customer Experience Control

Local fulfillment centers allow Amazon to:

• Handle returns quickly

• Offer fast replacements

• Maintain service consistency

China-based fulfillment can’t match that for end customers.

How Amazon Sellers Actually Use China-Based Logistics

Even though Amazon doesn’t fulfill global orders from China, sellers still rely heavily on China-based operations.

Here’s how it usually works.

Factory → China Warehouse → Amazon FBA

Most sellers follow this flow:

• Manufacture products in China

• Store or inspect inventory locally

• Ship in bulk to Amazon FBA warehouses abroad

China-based warehouses act as buffers, not fulfillment endpoints.

What About Amazon FBA in China?

This is a common misunderstanding.

Amazon FBA warehouses are located in:

• The U.S.

• Europe

• Canada

• Japan

• Australia

China is not a destination FBA market for international sellers.

Chinese sellers ship out of China, not fulfill within it.

China Fulfillment Centers vs Amazon FBA

Let’s make the difference clear.

China Fulfillment Centers

• Located near factories

• Used for inspection and consolidation

• Support export logistics

• Not customer-facing

Amazon FBA Warehouses

• Located in destination markets

• Handle last-mile delivery

• Manage returns

• Customer-facing

Both matter.
They just serve different purposes.

When China Fulfillment Makes Sense for Amazon Sellers

China-based fulfillment is useful when:

• You want quality control before shipping

• You ship to multiple Amazon marketplaces

• You need flexible inventory management

• You want to avoid overstocking FBA

This setup reduces risk and cost.

A Real-World Example

I once spoke with an Amazon seller scaling across three regions.

Their problem wasn’t sales.
It was inventory chaos.

They started using a China fulfillment center to:

• Inspect every batch

• Hold buffer stock

• Ship to different FBA locations as needed

Their FBA fees dropped.
Stockouts stopped.
Stress levels followed.

Common Myths About Amazon Fulfillment in China

“Amazon ships directly to customers from China”

Not for standard FBA orders.

“You can send inventory to China FBA”

There is no public FBA warehouse in China for global fulfillment.

“China fulfillment is slower”

Bulk shipments from China are often more predictable than rushed air freight.

What This Means for 2026 Sellers

Amazon is moving toward:

• Regional fulfillment

• Tighter inventory control

• Higher performance standards

China remains critical — just not as the final step.

Smart sellers treat China as:

• A sourcing base

• A staging point

• A risk-control layer

Not a shortcut.

FAQs

“Can I use Amazon FBA in China?”

No, not for international fulfillment.

“Does Amazon own warehouses in China?”

Yes, for logistics and operations support.

“Can Chinese sellers sell on Amazon?”

Yes, by shipping inventory to overseas FBA centers.

“Is China fulfillment cheaper?”

It can reduce storage and shipping mistakes.

“Should I skip China warehouses?”

Only if you enjoy surprises.

Final Takeaway

So, does Amazon have fulfillment centers in China?
Yes — but they’re not what most sellers imagine.

They don’t replace Amazon FBA.
They support it.

If you’re selling on Amazon and sourcing from China, understanding this difference isn’t optional.

It’s how you stay in control while everyone else guesses.