Overview

Amazon has started issuing a formal proof‑of‑delivery (POD) form for every less‑than‑truckload (LTL) and full‑truckload (FTL) shipment that arrives at an FBA fulfillment center. Effective immediately, sellers must attach this POD together with the carrier’s bill of lading when they open an investigation for missing inventory. The change tightens the documentation required for reimbursement and directly influences how large‑volume sellers manage freight records.

Key Points

• Proof of delivery now mandatory — Amazon generates a POD that records the exact number of pallets received for each LTL or FTL shipment, and the document must be uploaded with any missing‑item claim.
• Dual‑document requirement — Claims submitted without both the Amazon POD and the carrier’s original bill of lading are likely to be delayed or denied.
• Carrier copy obligation — Freight carriers are expected to retain a copy of the Amazon POD at the time of delivery, so sellers should verify that their logistics partners are aware of this new responsibility.
• POD reflects only pallet count — The form confirms that a delivery occurred and notes pallet quantity, but it does not verify the individual SKUs, unit counts, or condition of the goods inside the pallets.
• Impact on high‑volume shippers — Sellers who regularly move palletized freight to Amazon will see a noticeable increase in paperwork, making accurate packing lists and manifests more critical than ever.
• Reimbursement timeline pressure — Missing or delayed PODs can extend the investigation period, tying up capital that sellers might need for purchasing inventory or covering operating expenses.

How the New Process Works

1. Arrival and POD generation — When an LTL or FTL truck unloads at an Amazon fulfillment center, the receiving team creates a POD that lists the total pallets accepted; for example, a shipment of 12 pallets of home‑goods will be recorded as “12 pallets received.”
2. Carrier receipt of POD — The carrier’s driver receives a printed copy of the POD at the dock, and the carrier is expected to keep this copy in its freight records; a carrier that previously only retained the bill of lading must now store both documents.