Storage and FBA Preparation Services
SC Integrators provides comprehensive solutions for Amazon sellers, not only facilitating direct shipment of goods to Amazon through our International Ocean Freight LCL and Ground LTL services but also offering the convenience of storing and strategically drip-feeding inventory directly from our Vancouver warehouse. Moreover, our Vancouver facility provides a comprehensive suite of Amazon Prep Services, enhancing the overall efficiency and management of your inventory before it reaches Amazon’s platform.
Following Amazon’s implementation of stringent FBA capacity limits, reservation fees, progressively escalating storage rates, and long-term storage fees, numerous sellers find it challenging to transport their standard-sized shipments directly from suppliers to Amazon FBA fulfillment centers. Amazon vigilantly tracks sellers’ Inventory Performance Index (IPI) scores, penalizing those with inventory exceeding 90 days. Procuring multiple smaller batches of goods from overseas vendors throughout the year amplifies transportation costs. Opting to store your inventory at our Prep warehouse not only entails lower storage fees compared to Amazon but also enhances your IPI score and optimizes the efficiency of your inbound logistics.
Starting from April 1, 2024, Amazon will implement a new fee for low-level inventory; however, by maintaining an inventory reserve at our Vancouver warehouse, you can quickly replenish your stock at Amazon.
Our warehouse is strategically located near the Port of Vancouver – the gateway to Canada for shipments arriving by vessels from Asia or by trucks from California.
You can find our current rates for Amazon Prep services here
What makes the Port of Vancouver so special?
First, since Vancouver is the first point of arrival for most goods coming by the ocean from China and other Asian countries, it provides the shortest transit times and lowest freight rates, compared to other inland locations in Canada. It became even more evident, when the ocean carriers started increasing inland rates substantially to provide the fastest return of lacking empty shipping containers back to Asia.
Second, since Amazon very often “randomly” assigns
destination fulfillment centers located in different parts of Canada, every
time the seller creates a shipment plan, it is pointless to move the cargo
inland to any certain location and then ship it to a completely different
location or even back to Vancouver.
Finally, if the seller purchases pre-paid UPS shipping labels (SPD) directly from Amazon, they can typically benefit from remarkably low rates for shipping to any Amazon destination throughout Canada. In addition, we offer competetive LTL freight for pallet-sized shipments.
We offer the following Amazon Prep Services at our Vancouver warehouse:
Master Carton Forwarding Service (multiple SKUs or single
SKU shipped out by the UPS)
- receiving inbound master cartons (loose or palletized)
- inspecting loose master cartons without opening
- placing master cartons on pallets
- putting pallets away into storage
- retrieving pallets from storage
- breaking pallets down
- picking certain SKU master cartons
- applying Amazon FBA and shipping labels to master cartons
- releasing to outbound courier carriers (the UPS or other)
- if required, palletizing on Amazon compliant 48”x40” wooden skids, shrink wrapping and releasing to outbound LTL carriers
Pallet Forwarding Service (single SKU per pallet)
- receiving inbound single SKU pallets
- inspecting pallets without breaking down
- putting away into storage
- retrieving from the storage
- breaking pallets down
- applying Amazon FBA labels to master cartons
- palletizing on Amazon complaint 48”x40” wooden skids
- applying plastic shrink wrap
- labeling pallets
- releasing to outbound LTL carriers
Storage
- storing goods on pallets
Other Prep Services
- Amazon FNSKU labelling
- barcode labelling
- bundling and kitting
- polybag packaging
- bubble packaging
- receiving FBA removals
- courier freight
- shrink packaging
- inspecting products
- products packaging and repackaging
- boxing
Try our new dedicated online platform to get instant quotes for your FOB ocean less-than-container shipments from China to Amazon FBA Canada or our warehouse in Vancouver, request bookings, and manage shipments:
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL SERVICES & ONBOARDING
It’s a dedicated facility to make your goods ready to be sold on Amazon. This includes essential tasks like attaching FNSKU labels to ensure your inventory is compliant with Amazon’s strict requirements.
Please contact us by email or by phone and we can start. No account application forms are needed.
To open an account and begin onboarding, please provide your company’s full legal name and address.
Absolutely. We work with both new and experienced Amazon sellers.
Yes. To get a quote, please visit our quote request page or contact us via email or phone.
PREPARATION & COMPLIANCE
We offer comprehensive prepping, shipping, and storage services. Visit our Services page for more details.
Yes, we handle sets, bundles, and multipacks.
Yes, we fully support multi-SKU bundles.
Yes, we provide shrink wrap services upon request.
Yes, we provide both barcoding and FNSKU labeling services.
We can handle these items upon request.
SHIPPING & LOGISTICS
If services like FNSKU labeling, repacking, polybagging, or bundling are required, our turnaround time is usually 2 to 3 business days, depending on the volume of units.
We typically aim to ship your packed master cartons the same day or the next business day after receipt.
Yes, we can receive shipments directly from international suppliers.
If you create an account in our WMS system and grant us limited access to your Amazon listings, we can create shipping plans for you.
You can email prepaid shipping labels directly to us (if goods are already packed and require no prep), or we can create the shipping plan and your Amazon account will be billed directly.
We notify you via email or our WMS system. For regular or high-volume accounts, we also offer tracking via a shared sheet or a dedicated web page upon request.
Yes, we provide carton and pallet labeling for Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipments.
We immediately notify you via email upon receipt if we identify damages or shortages. Handling is then managed on a case-by-case basis.
INSPECTION & VERIFICATION
Upon request, we provide one set of photos at no charge (e.g., one photo of the received shipment or one photo of a single unit). Any additional photo requests are subject to a fee.
We notify you immediately via email. We work with you to resolve these issues on a case-by-case basis.
PRICING & BILLING
Our full pricing details can be found at scintegrators.ca/amazon-prep-rates/.
No, we do not have a minimum order quantity, but we do have a Minimum Work Order Fee.
The minimum work order fee is $40.00 CAD. For example, if your calculated prep cost is $30.00, the final charge will be $40.00. For requests involving prep of individual units, the minimum fee applies per SKU.
This fee covers receiving, inspection, labeling, and shipping your packed cartons out. It ranges per carton depending on weight and dimensions.
We charge a fee per carton for receiving Amazon removals. However, we do not charge a receiving fee for cartons received directly from suppliers.
We prioritize reusing cartons to save you money. If a new carton is necessary, a fee will apply.
There are no hidden fees. Please note that all storage and preparation services are subject to GST 5%.
STORAGE, INSURANCE & RETURNS
If no storage is required, we prep and ship without storage fees. Otherwise, fees begin the day after receiving.
Yes. If prep is postponed, goods are moved into storage and charges will be communicated at that time.
Yes, we provide pallet storage and storage per CBM.
We exercise reasonable care, but we do not provide insurance for the full replacement value of your inventory. You must maintain your own commercial property insurance. Our liability is strictly limited by our Terms and Conditions.
Yes. We receive returns, perform necessary prep, and ship them back out. We do not charge separate repack fees; this falls under standard prep work fees. If a new carton is needed, a replacement carton fee applies.
We will notify you immediately via email and manage the situation on a case-by-case basis.
We have compiled the list below of independent-from-us Canadian warehouses advertising Prep services*:
Canada Prep Centers
* The above list of the Prep Centers is created for information purposes only. SC Integrators Inc. is not affiliated with the mentioned companies, nor does SC Integrators Inc. endorse their listed services.