Amazon Freight Opens to Third-Party Sellers for FBA Shipments in UK and EU
In early 2024 Amazon opened its internal trucking arm, Amazon Freight, to third‑party sellers in the UK and a handful of EU countries. The service provides upfront rate quotes, automatic dock‑appointment booking and reports >94% on‑time performance for pickups and deliveries.
Overview
Amazon has opened its internal trucking arm, Amazon Freight, to third‑party sellers who need to move inventory into FBA fulfillment centers. The rollout began in early 2024 and is limited to VAT‑registered businesses operating in the United Kingdom and a handful of EU countries. Sellers gain access to upfront rates, automated dock‑appointment booking, and a delivery reliability that exceeds 94 %, which can streamline inbound logistics and protect inventory availability.
Key Points
- Up‑front rate quotes — Prices are displayed at the moment of booking, eliminating surprise surcharges for both spot‑load and contract‑based routes.
- 94 %+ on‑time performance — Historical data shows that more than 94 % of Amazon Freight pickups and deliveries meet the promised window, reducing the risk of missed FC appointments.
- Automatic fulfillment‑center slots — The system secures a delivery window at the destination warehouse on the seller’s behalf, removing the need to manually coordinate with Amazon’s inbound scheduling portal.
- Full‑truckload (FTL) and less‑than‑truckload (LTL) options — UK sellers can choose between a dedicated truck for large palletized shipments or share a truck for smaller loads; EU sellers currently have access to FTL and pallet‑exchange services.
- Dedicated onboarding manager — New participants receive a single point of contact who assists with the first shipment setup, helping sellers transition from legacy carriers without service interruptions.
- Eligibility limited to VAT‑registered businesses — Only sellers with a valid UK VAT number or an equivalent EU VAT registration can enroll, and the service is not yet available in North America or other regions.
How Amazon Freight Works
- Request access through Seller Central — A UK‑based seller logs into the “Shipping” tab, selects “Amazon Freight,” and submits company details; for example, a seller moving 15 pallets from Birmingham to the Tilbury fulfillment center receives a confirmation email within 24 hours.
- Receive a quoted price and schedule — The platform instantly generates a rate (e.g., £1,200 for a 500‑mile FTL) and proposes a pickup date; the seller can accept, modify the load size, or request an alternative window.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
The new Amazon Freight option lets VAT‑registered sellers bypass external brokers, lock in price at booking and secure delivery slots automatically, reducing coordination time from hours to clicks. With >94% on‑time reliability, inventory availability at fulfillment centers improves, lowering risk of stock‑outs.
Key Takeaways
- Up‑front rate quotes are shown at booking, removing surprise surcharges for spot‑load and contract routes.
- Amazon Freight reports more than 94% on‑time pickups and deliveries.
- Eligibility is limited to UK and EU sellers with a valid VAT registration; the service is not yet in North America.
- Both full‑truckload (FTL) and less‑than‑truckload (LTL) options are available, with automatic dock‑appointment creation at the destination FC.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central, navigate to Shipping > Amazon Freight, submit your VAT number and request access.
- →Pull rate quotes for your top three lanes (e.g., Birmingham → Tilbury, Manchester → Leipzig, Glasgow → Düsseldorf) and compare total landed cost to...
- →Use the onboarding manager contact provided in the acceptance email to schedule a kickoff call and audit your freight workflow.
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