Amazon FBA (Fulfilment by Amazon) sourcing from China is the process of finding, ordering, and importing physical products manufactured in China to sell through Amazon's UK marketplace, with Amazon warehousing and shipping the goods on your behalf.
Right, let's cut through the noise. Most YouTube videos skip the part that actually determines whether you succeed or fail: finding a reliable Chinese supplier who can manufacture your product to UK standards, at the right price, without disappearing with your deposit.
At Epic Sourcing, we've helped hundreds of UK businesses navigate the China sourcing process. Here's what you actually need to know.
The UK Amazon marketplace (Amazon.co.uk) is the fifth-largest e-commerce market in the world by revenue. The vast majority of physical products sold through Amazon FBA are manufactured in China.
China manufactures roughly 28% of global goods output, and for UK FBA sellers, that means access to the world's most comprehensive manufacturing ecosystem. UK-China bilateral trade reached approximately £87 billion in 2024.
UK sellers benefit from the UK Global Tariff for China imports. Import duties vary by product category (typically 0-12% for consumer goods), and you'll need to factor in 20% VAT at importation — reclaimable if VAT registered.
Most UK FBA beginners choose a product based on what's selling well in the US market without considering UK compliance requirements and the competitive dynamics of Amazon.co.uk.
| Factor | Amazon UK | Amazon US |
|---|---|---|
| Market size | Large but smaller than US | World's largest FBA market |
| Compliance standard | UKCA (post-Brexit) | FCC, CPSC, UL |
| Import duty | UK Global Tariff + 20% VAT | Section 301 tariffs (7.5-25%+) |
| Competition level | Lower than US in many niches | Highly competitive |
| Currency | GBP — no exchange risk | USD — exchange rate exposure |
Most UK sellers search Alibaba, message 30 factories, and make their final decision based on whoever sent the cheapest sample. That's not a sourcing strategy — it's a gamble.
Main platforms include Alibaba.com, Global Sources, Made-in-China.com, and the Canton Fair (held twice yearly in Guangzhou).
"Trade Assurance" is a payment protection scheme, not a quality guarantee. "Verified Supplier" status means Alibaba confirmed basic company details — not a quality endorsement.
Before placing any deposit, verify the supplier's legal existence and business legitimacy. At Epic Sourcing, our Chinese company verification service starts from £199 and covers business registration checks and legal status confirmation.
| Factor | Alibaba DIY | UK Sourcing Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No agency fee; but hidden costs | Agency fee (typically £699-£1,899) |
| Supplier vetting | Self-directed; risk of scams | Professional verification and audits |
| UK compliance help | None | UKCA guidance, testing coordination |
| Quality control | You organise independently | Pre-shipment inspection coordinated |
| Best for | Experienced sourcers with China contacts | UK FBA beginners and scaling businesses |
UK product compliance is not optional. Since Brexit, it's increasingly UK-specific rather than aligned with EU standards.
The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark replaced the EU's CE mark for products placed on the Great Britain market. Since 31 December 2024, UKCA marking has been mandatory for most regulated product categories.
Amazon UK now routinely requests compliance documentation for products in regulated categories. CE marking from a Chinese factory is not sufficient for the GB market post-2024.
| Product Category | Relevant UK Standard | Testing Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical appliances | UKCA, UK Electrical Equipment Regulations | Yes — UKAS accredited lab |
| Children's toys | UK Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 | Yes — comprehensive testing |
| Food contact products | UK Food Safety Act, UK FCM Regulations | Yes — migration testing |
| Cosmetics and skincare | UK Cosmetic Products Regulation | Yes — CPSR required |
| Clothing and textiles | UK Textile Products (Labelling) Regs | Labelling required |
| General consumer goods | UK General Product Safety Regulations | Risk-based; documentation required |
| Product Type | Typical MOQ | Production Lead Time | Sea Freight to UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homeware (generic) | 200-500 units | 25-35 days | ~25-30 days |
| Custom printed products | 100-300 units | 20-30 days | ~25-30 days |
| Sports and fitness equipment | 300-1,000 units | 30-45 days | ~25-30 days |
| Electronics and gadgets | 500-2,000 units | 35-50 days | ~25-30 days |
| Clothing and apparel | 100-500 units per style | 45-60 days | ~25-30 days |
| Pet accessories | 200-500 units | 20-35 days | ~25-30 days |
Typical breakdown for 500 units (ex-factory: £3.00, selling price: £25.00):
| Cost Component | Per Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-factory unit cost | £3.00 | Negotiated price from factory |
| Sea freight (LCL) | £0.60 | Less-than-container load |
| UK customs duty (5%) | £0.15 | Depends on HS tariff code |
| Import VAT (20%) | £0.73 | Reclaimable if VAT registered |
| Freight forwarder and customs clearance | £0.25 | Fixed cost divided by units |
| Amazon FBA prep and labelling | £0.30 | FNSKU labelling, poly bag, carton box |
| Amazon FBA fee (estimate) | £3.50 | Varies by size and weight |
| Amazon referral fee (15%) | £3.75 | On £25 selling price |
| Total cost | ~£12.28 | Excl. advertising spend |
| Gross margin per unit | ~£12.72 (51%) | Before PPC/advertising |
| Factor | Sea Freight (LCL/FCL) | Air Freight |
|---|---|---|
| Transit time | 25-35 days (via Felixstowe/Southampton) | 5-8 days |
| Cost per kg | £0.80-£2.50/kg | £5.00-£12.00/kg |
| Best for | Bulk orders, heavy/large items | Small urgent orders, high-value items |
| UK FBA recommendation | Standard for most orders | For test orders or emergencies |
Book a free 30-minute consultation with Epic Sourcing's UK team. We'll assess your product idea and give you a clear roadmap to your first FBA shipment.
Book Your Free ConsultationPrice differences of under 20% between verified suppliers usually don't justify the additional risk.
A pre-shipment inspection (PSI) — typically £200-£350 — checks your goods before they leave China. Never skip this step.
Sort compliance before you place your bulk order — it can affect product specification and packaging design.
Standard payment terms are 30% deposit, 70% balance before shipment. Never pay 100% upfront.
From initial supplier contact to products live on Amazon UK, expect 90-120 days minimum.
At Epic Sourcing, we work exclusively with UK businesses importing from China and Vietnam. We're a UK-based sourcing consultancy with an on-the-ground team in China.
We identify and vet manufacturers, check their legal registration and export licences, and provide a shortlist of qualified, verified suppliers.
We help coordinate product testing with UKAS-accredited UK labs and help you compile the documentation Amazon will ask for.
Our team organises third-party pre-shipment inspections before your goods leave China.
We work with trusted UK freight forwarders to get your products from the factory floor to an Amazon UK fulfilment centre, including customs clearance and FBA prep.
| Package | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sourcing Starter (White Label) | From £699 | First-time FBA sellers with one product idea |
| Private Label Package | From £1,899 | FBA sellers wanting custom branded products |
| Full Sourcing and Brand Build | From £3,299 | Scaling FBA brands with multi-SKU needs |
Book your free 30-minute consultation with our UK team. We'll tell you honestly whether your product idea is viable.
Book Free ConsultationView Our PackagesA realistic starting budget is £4,000-£10,000 for your first product. This covers: samples (£100-£500), first bulk order (300-500 units at £3-£8 per unit), shipping and customs (£500-£1,500), product testing and UKCA compliance (£500-£2,000), professional product photography (£300-£600), and initial PPC budget (£500-£1,000).
You can sell as a sole trader, but most serious FBA sellers operate through a limited company (Ltd) for liability protection, tax efficiency, and credibility with Chinese suppliers. VAT registration is mandatory if importing more than £85,000 per year.
Technically yes ("direct-to-FBA") but it comes with significant risks. Amazon FBA prep requirements are difficult for Chinese factories to execute reliably. We recommend using a UK FBA prep centre for your first few orders.
UKCA marking is required for regulated product categories including electrical equipment, toys, personal protective equipment, and radio equipment. If your product contains electrical components, is intended for children, or makes contact with food, assume UKCA is required.
4-6 months minimum. Breakdown: supplier research (2-4 weeks), samples (3-5 weeks), compliance testing (4-8 weeks), bulk production (30-50 days), sea freight (25-30 days), customs clearance and FBA prep (7-14 days), Amazon listing approval (1-5 days). Total: approximately 100-130 days.
TK Wang is the founder of Epic Sourcing UK and has spent over a decade helping British businesses source products from China and Vietnam. Based between London and Guangzhou, TK's team has overseen hundreds of UK import projects across consumer goods, electronics, apparel, and industrial products.
