Amazon Freight LTL: How to Use Amazon's Discounted Pallet Shipping for FBA Inventory
Amazon Freight LTL is a partnered carrier service that lets FBA sellers ship palletized inventory to fulfillment centers at discounted rates with automated pickup scheduling and documentation.
Overview
Amazon offers a freight shipping service through its Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program that allows sellers to send less-than-truckload (LTL) and full-truckload (FTL) shipments to fulfillment centers at discounted rates. This partnered carrier program is designed to reduce both the cost and transit time of moving inventory into Amazon's fulfillment network, making products available for purchase faster.
Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know
- Discounted freight rates — Amazon's partnered carrier program negotiates lower shipping rates for LTL and FTL shipments compared to what most sellers could secure independently.
- Fast pickup scheduling — Pallet pickups are typically arranged within two business days of booking, with no need to call separately to schedule.
- Nationwide fulfillment center access — The service supports shipments to designated fulfillment centers across the country, giving sellers broad geographic coverage.
- Automated documentation — Amazon generates a Bill of Lading (BOL) after shipping costs are approved, eliminating the need for sellers to create their own freight paperwork.
- Pickup window — Pickups are scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the estimated pickup date shown when you accept the shipping charges.
How It Works
To use Amazon Freight for your FBA shipments, you select the Amazon Partnered Carrier option when creating a new shipment in Seller Central. Once you provide your shipment details and approve the estimated shipping costs, Amazon or one of its partnered carriers will be assigned to handle the pickup. There is no need to contact the carrier directly to arrange a pickup time — Amazon handles the scheduling automatically. Your shipment details, including the Bill of Lading, become available on the morning of your scheduled pickup date and can also be found in the tracking events tab for your shipment.
Requirements and Eligibility
Sellers must be enrolled in the FBA program to access the Amazon Freight LTL service. Shipments need to be palletized and meet Amazon's inbound shipping requirements, including proper labeling and packaging standards. The service is available for pickups from select locations, and shipments must be destined for designated fulfillment centers that participate in the program. Sellers should ensure their inventory is ready for pickup during the standard business-hours window, as the carrier will arrive during the designated timeframe without a specific appointment slot.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
This service can significantly reduce inbound shipping costs for FBA sellers who send palletized inventory. Understanding how to use Amazon's partnered carrier program helps sellers optimize logistics spending and get inventory checked in faster.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon's partnered carrier LTL rates are typically lower than what sellers can negotiate independently
- Pickups are scheduled within two business days with no need to call the carrier
- Amazon auto-generates the Bill of Lading after you approve shipping costs
- The service covers fulfillment centers nationwide with committed delivery dates
Recommended Actions
- →Select the Amazon Partnered Carrier option when creating FBA shipments to access discounted LTL rates
- →Have pallets staged and ready during business hours on your scheduled pickup date
- →Review the auto-generated Bill of Lading in the tracking events tab before carrier arrival
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