Overview

Amazon's floor loading policy governs how sellers must prepare and ship non-palletized freight to FBA fulfillment centers. Floor loading — where packed products are stacked directly on the trailer floor rather than on pallets — is sometimes unavoidable for less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), or full container load (FCL) deliveries. However, because these shipments take longer to process, sellers need to follow specific requirements to avoid delays, additional charges, or outright refusal of inventory.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Processing delays are expected — Floor-loaded shipments take longer for fulfillment centers to receive and unload, which can delay your products becoming available for sale on Amazon.
• Additional charges may apply — Amazon may assess extra fees if your shipments require extensive handling beyond standard unloading procedures.
• Non-compliance has serious consequences — Failing to meet FBA preparation and safety requirements can result in inventory refusal, disposal, return of goods, blocking of future shipments, or noncompliance charges.
• Weight limits matter — Amazon defines floor loading as loose, stacked boxes under 50 pounds each that will be unloaded by hand. Boxes exceeding 50 pounds may be refused for safety reasons.
• Carrier coordination is essential — Sellers must inform their carriers about floor loading requirements and ensure shipments are properly identified in Amazon's carrier appointment system.

Loading Requirements and Stacking Guidelines

Every box shipped to an Amazon fulfillment center must be labeled with a shipment ID, including units sent in manufacturer packaging. When preparing a floor-loaded shipment, sellers must stack boxes into columns using an alternating pattern for stability. Boxes should never be bundled together with straps, zip ties, tape, or similar materials. Columns must maintain at least three inches of clearance from container walls and between stacks. Stack height should not exceed 72 inches unless the freight qualifies as clampable, and there must be at least six inches of clearance between the top of the stack and the container roof. Additionally, sellers should allow at least eight inches of clearance from the last row of boxes to the container doors so dock levelers can engage properly. Any boxes exceeding 48 inches in length must be loaded along the length of the trailer or container.