Overview

Amazon has introduced the Partnered Carrier Program (PCP), a new inbound‑shipping option that lets FBA sellers arrange direct pick‑ups from eligible locations and ship straight to Amazon fulfillment centers. Launched in early 2024, the service is fully managed inside Seller Central and promises negotiated rates, built‑in tracking and a single‑click scheduling flow. Sellers who struggle with carrier negotiations or lack convenient drop‑off points should pay close attention.

Key Points

• All‑in‑One workflow — The PCP appears as a carrier choice inside the standard “Send to Amazon” wizard, so sellers never need to leave Seller Central to book a shipment.
• Amazon‑negotiated pricing — Amazon leverages its volume to secure rates that are typically lower than what a small or midsize seller could obtain on their own.
• Integrated tracking dashboard — Every PCP shipment generates a tracking number that displays automatically in the “Manage Inbound Shipments” page, eliminating the need for separate carrier portals.
• Scheduled pick‑up service — Instead of driving to a UPS or FedEx location, sellers can request Amazon’s partner to collect pallets from a qualified address on a chosen date.
• Eligibility limited to certain sites — Only addresses listed as eligible in the program’s terms can use PCP; the list currently covers major U.S. metros and a handful of international hubs.
• Potential cost trade‑off for high‑volume sellers — Large brands with existing volume discounts should compare PCP rates against their current contracts before switching.

How the Partnered Carrier Program Works

1. Create a new shipment — In Seller Central, navigate to Inventory → Manage FBA Inventory, select the items to send, and click Send/Replenish Inventory. For example, a seller with 200 units of a seasonal product will follow the same steps they use for any inbound shipment.
2. Choose “Partnered Carrier Program” as the carrier — During the carrier‑selection screen, PCP appears alongside traditional carriers. Selecting it triggers Amazon’s rate engine, which instantly shows the cost based on weight, dimensions and distance. A seller shipping a 40‑pound pallet from a Dallas warehouse will see a single price rather than multiple quotes.