Amazon Launches Partnered Carrier Program to Simplify FBA Inbound Shipping
In early 2024 Amazon added the Partnered Carrier Program (PCP) to the “Send to Amazon” wizard, letting sellers schedule pick‑ups, get Amazon‑negotiated rates and see tracking inside Seller Central.
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
- 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.
- 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.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
PCP can cut inbound lead time by 1‑2 days and, for midsize sellers, save about $0.12 per pound versus existing contracts. Integrated tracking removes the need for separate carrier portals, streamlining operations.
Key Takeaways
- PCP appears as a carrier option inside the standard “Send to Amazon” workflow, enabling single‑click scheduling.
- Amazon‑negotiated rates are typically lower; a midsize seller reported $0.12 per pound cheaper than their current carrier.
- Eligibility is limited to listed addresses in major U.S. metros and a few international hubs; sellers must verify their warehouse.
- Each PCP shipment generates an automatic tracking number that populates in the “Manage Inbound Shipments” page.
Recommended Actions
- →Check eligibility: Seller Central > Help > Partnered Carrier Program > Eligible Pickup Locations and confirm your warehouse address.
- →Run a cost test: create a test shipment using PCP and another with your current carrier, compare total cost per pound in the shipment preview.
- →Update SOPs: add a step in your inbound process to schedule PCP pick‑up via the calendar at least 24 hours before the carrier cut‑off, assigning th...
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