Latin America is producing world-class products — from Colombian artisan goods to Brazilian health supplements to Mexican home décor. But breaking into the U.S. Amazon marketplace from LATAM involves a logistics chain that stops most sellers before they even get started.
This guide walks you through every step of the journey, from your factory floor in Latin America to your first sale on Amazon.com. Miami is your key — and we'll show you exactly why.
Why Miami Is the Gateway
Miami is geographically and commercially the closest major U.S. city to Latin America. PortMiami and Miami International Airport (MIA) handle more cargo from LATAM than any other U.S. port of entry. For Amazon FBA sellers, this means faster transit times, lower freight costs, and proximity to Amazon fulfillment centers in Florida.
🌎 Miami handles over $45 billion in trade with Latin America annually — making it the natural cross-docking hub for LATAM brands entering the U.S. market.
The Complete 8-Step Process
Register Your U.S. Business Entity
To sell on Amazon USA, you'll need a U.S. business address and ideally a U.S. LLC or corporation. Florida is a popular choice for LATAM sellers due to its tax structure and proximity. Services like Stripe Atlas or a local attorney can help you register remotely.
Open Your Amazon Seller Central Account
Register at sellercentral.amazon.com. You'll need your business documents, a U.S. bank account (or a service like Payoneer/Wise), and a credit card. Choose "Individual" or "Professional" — Professional ($39.99/month) is recommended if you plan to sell more than 40 units/month.
Classify Your Products (HTS Codes)
Every product imported into the U.S. needs a Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code. This determines your import duties. Work with a licensed customs broker to classify your products correctly — misclassification can result in penalties and delays at customs.
Ship to Miami (Your Cross-Docking Hub)
Arrange freight from your country of origin to Miami — by air for high-value or time-sensitive goods, by sea for larger, heavier shipments. Your freight forwarder or customs broker handles the import documentation (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading).
Clear U.S. Customs
Your customs broker files an Entry Summary with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You pay applicable duties and taxes. For shipments under $2,500, a simplified entry (Section 321) may apply. Your 3PL in Miami receives the cargo once cleared.
Receive & Inspect at Your Miami 3PL
Your Miami 3PL (like FR-Logistics) receives, counts, and inspects every unit against your packing list. Any discrepancies or damage from transit are documented immediately with photos — before Amazon ever sees them.
FBA Prep: Label, Bag, Pack
Your 3PL applies FNSKU labels (Amazon's unit-level barcodes), poly-bags products if required, builds cartons per Amazon's specifications, and creates the shipment in Seller Central. This step is what separates successful Amazon launches from rejected shipments.
Ship to Amazon's Fulfillment Center
Your 3PL ships the prepped inventory to Amazon's designated fulfillment center (FC). Amazon assigns the FC based on your product category and inventory placement settings. Once received and checked in by Amazon, your listing goes live and you can start selling.
Common Mistakes LATAM Sellers Make
- Skipping the U.S. entity — selling as a foreign entity creates tax and legal exposure
- Not using a customs broker — self-filing customs entries is risky without expertise
- Sending directly to Amazon without a 3PL — no buffer for inspection or corrections
- Ignoring FNSKU labeling requirements — Amazon will reject or sticker your inventory at your cost
- Underestimating lead times — from LATAM to Amazon FC typically takes 3–6 weeks total
Estimated Timeline for Your First Shipment
- Business registration + Seller Central setup: 1–2 weeks
- Freight from LATAM to Miami (air): 3–7 days
- Freight from LATAM to Miami (ocean): 7–21 days
- Customs clearance: 1–3 days
- 3PL receiving + FBA prep: 1–2 days
- Delivery to Amazon FC: 1–2 days
- Amazon check-in: 1–5 days
📦 Total from LATAM to live on Amazon: approximately 3–5 weeks by air, 5–8 weeks by ocean freight.
Ready to bring your LATAM brand to Amazon USA?
FR-Logistics Miami handles steps 4 through 8 for you — cross-docking, customs coordination, FBA prep, and shipping. Bilingual team, Amazon SPN certified.
💬 Talk to Our LATAM Team