Overview

Amazon is tightening security for sellers who ship full‑truckload (FTL) or intermodal freight to its fulfillment centers. Effective immediately, every trailer must be sealed with an ISO‑compliant, tamper‑evident device and the seal’s unique number must appear on the bill of lading. Non‑compliant loads will be refused and Amazon will not assume liability for any inventory loss during transit, making the new rule critical for sellers who rely on large‑volume shipments.

Key Points

• ISO‑compliant seals required — All FTL and intermodal shipments must carry a tamper‑evident seal that meets ISO standards, such as ISO 17712.
• Seal number on bill of lading — The seal’s serial number must be recorded on the bill of lading for verification at the receiving dock.
• Pickup refusals — Amazon will decline any pickup that lacks a proper seal or the corresponding documentation.
• No liability for non‑compliant loads — Amazon disclaims responsibility for missing or damaged inventory on shipments that do not meet the seal requirement.
• 14‑pallet threshold — Loads exceeding 14 pallets that do not trigger freight pallet labels in the “Send to Amazon” workflow are treated as full‑truckload shipments and fall under the new policy.

How Trailer Seals Work

1. Select an ISO‑compliant seal — Choose a seal that meets ISO 17712 specifications; for example, a 12‑digit polymer seal costing $2‑$3 each from a reputable logistics supplier.
2. Apply the seal before pickup — A warehouse associate or 3PL technician wraps the seal around the trailer’s entry point, ensuring the locking mechanism clicks and the seal’s indicator shows “intact.”
3. Record the seal number — The unique identifier (e.g., “SN‑842739”) is entered on the bill of lading and also logged in the seller’s internal shipping spreadsheet.
4. Photograph the sealed trailer — The driver captures a photo of the sealed door and the printed seal number, storing the image alongside the shipment record for future reference.