Overview

Amazon Freight has introduced an intermodal shipping service that blends rail and truck transport for inbound inventory moves. Launched this quarter, the option targets sellers who ship large quantities over long distances and are looking to lower both freight costs and carbon output. Because the service routes the bulk of a shipment on rail before a short‑haul truck segment, it can deliver meaningful savings while still feeding Amazon fulfillment centers on schedule.

Key Points

• Cost advantage of 10‑30% — For routes longer than 500 miles, the intermodal rate is typically ten to thirty percent cheaper than a straight‑through truckload, thanks to rail’s higher fuel efficiency.
• Emission reduction up to 75% — Moving freight by rail cuts carbon emissions per ton‑mile by three‑quarters compared with highway trucking, supporting Amazon’s climate goals and buyer demand for greener products.
• Eligibility threshold of 500+ miles — The service is designed for shipments that travel at least half a thousand miles; shorter lanes usually do not see the same cost or environmental benefits.
• Integrated tracking across modes — Sellers receive real‑time visibility for both the rail leg and the final truck leg, allowing better inventory planning and avoidance of stock‑out penalties.
• Longer transit times — Because rail routes add a few days compared with direct trucking, the option is best suited for non‑urgent replenishment rather than time‑critical restocks.
• No extra carrier management — Amazon Freight coordinates the rail carrier and the trucking partner, so sellers continue to use a single booking interface.

How Intermodal Shipping Works

1. Create a shipment in Amazon Freight — The seller enters origin, destination, weight, and volume just as they would for a regular truckload. For example, a seller in Dallas, TX, shipping 1,200 pallets to the Chicago fulfillment center would select the intermodal option during the booking flow.
2. Rail segment assignment — Amazon Freight matches the load with a rail carrier that runs a dedicated intermodal corridor, such as the BNSF route from Dallas to Chicago. The pallets are loaded into standardized containers that travel on rail cars without being unpacked.