u/Rare_Opportunity_887

Hi everyone! I’m planning to start selling private-label products on Amazon and build my own brand. I’m completely new to importing and sourcing from China, and I’ve realized there is a lot I don’t understand yet.
I’ve been exploring products on Alibaba and contacting different manufacturers. Recently, I found a toy that costs around $8 per unit. When I asked for a quote for 20 units, the shipping alone worked out to around $19 per unit. So an $8 product suddenly becomes almost $28 landed before Amazon fees, advertising, storage, etc. If the market price is around $30–$40, there’s obviously very little or no profit left.
I contacted other manufacturers selling the same product, and some asked, “Do you have a shipping agent/freight forwarder in China?” I didn’t. 😅 Until then, I assumed I would simply place an order with the manufacturer, they would manufacture and pack everything, I would pay the product + shipping cost, and the shipment would arrive at my doorstep.
So now I’m confused about how the importing process actually works.
If I order products from an Alibaba manufacturer, what am I responsible for after production? Do I need to find a freight forwarder myself? Do I need to handle customs clearance, customs duties, a customs broker, port pickup, etc.? Or if I ask for DDP door-to-door shipping, will the supplier/freight forwarder normally handle everything from the factory in China until it reaches my home in the U.S.?
And eventually, if I want the manufacturer to ship directly to an Amazon FBA warehouse, how does that process normally work?
I would really appreciate advice on:
Do you normally use the manufacturer’s freight forwarder or find your own?
How do you find a reliable freight forwarder in China?
How exactly are shipping charges calculated—weight, dimensions/volume, or both?
Is there any reasonable way to estimate shipping/landed cost before spending a lot of time researching a product?
Which shipping terms are easiest for beginners—DDP, FOB, EXW, etc.?
What documents should I request from the manufacturer?
For products such as children’s toys, how do you verify required testing/certifications?
Is it okay to tell Alibaba suppliers that you’re a beginner, or is it better not to?
What should I understand about importing/sourcing before placing my first bulk order?
I’m a parent of a child with special needs, and being available for my child and homeschooling him is very important to me. That’s one of the main reasons I’m trying to build a business that gives me more flexibility to be with him. I understand Amazon FBA isn’t easy or guaranteed income, but I really want to give this a serious shot and learn the process properly before risking a lot of money.
My questions might sound very basic, so please bear with me. 😅 I’m not looking for anyone to sell me a course or service. I’d really love to hear from people who actually import from Alibaba and sell through Amazon FBA.
If you were starting again from zero, what would you learn or do differently before placing your first Alibaba bulk order?

Hi everyone! I’m planning to start selling private-label products on Amazon and build my own brand. I’m completely new to importing and sourcing from China, and I’ve realized there is a lot I don’t understand yet.
I’ve been exploring products on Alibaba and contacting different manufacturers. Recently, I found a toy that costs around $8 per unit. When I asked for a quote for 20 units, the shipping alone worked out to around $19 per unit. So an $8 product suddenly becomes almost $28 landed before Amazon fees, advertising, storage, etc. If the market price is around $30–$40, there’s obviously very little or no profit left.
I contacted other manufacturers selling the same product, and some asked, “Do you have a shipping agent/freight forwarder in China?” I didn’t. 😅 Until then, I assumed I would simply place an order with the manufacturer, they would manufacture and pack everything, I would pay the product + shipping cost, and the shipment would arrive at my doorstep.
So now I’m confused about how the importing process actually works.
If I order products from an Alibaba manufacturer, what am I responsible for after production? Do I need to find a freight forwarder myself? Do I need to handle customs clearance, customs duties, a customs broker, port pickup, etc.? Or if I ask for DDP door-to-door shipping, will the supplier/freight forwarder normally handle everything from the factory in China until it reaches my home in the U.S.?
And eventually, if I want the manufacturer to ship directly to an Amazon FBA warehouse, how does that process normally work?
I would really appreciate advice on:
Do you normally use the manufacturer’s freight forwarder or find your own?
How do you find a reliable freight forwarder in China?
How exactly are shipping charges calculated—weight, dimensions/volume, or both?
Is there any reasonable way to estimate shipping/landed cost before spending a lot of time researching a product?
Which shipping terms are easiest for beginners—DDP, FOB, EXW, etc.?
What documents should I request from the manufacturer?
For products such as children’s toys, how do you verify required testing/certifications?
Is it okay to tell Alibaba suppliers that you’re a beginner, or is it better not to?
What should I understand about importing/sourcing before placing my first bulk order?
I’m a parent of a child with special needs, and being available for my child and homeschooling him is very important to me. That’s one of the main reasons I’m trying to build a business that gives me more flexibility to be with him. I understand Amazon FBA isn’t easy or guaranteed income, but I really want to give this a serious shot and learn the process properly before risking a lot of money.
My questions might sound very basic, so please bear with me. 😅 I’m not looking for anyone to sell me a course or service. I’d really love to hear from people who actually import from Alibaba and sell through Amazon FBA.
If you were starting again from zero, what would you learn or do differently before placing your first Alibaba bulk order?