FBA Carrier and Tracking Information: What Amazon Requires for Every Shipment
Amazon requires all FBA sellers to submit carrier names and tracking IDs before shipments reach fulfillment centers. This policy affects receiving speed, inventory availability, and account health metrics.
Overview
Amazon requires all FBA sellers to provide carrier names and tracking information for shipments sent to fulfillment centers. This policy, which took effect on January 1, 2021, is designed to speed up the receiving process and help sellers keep inventory in stock. Sellers who fail to provide accurate tracking data may see defects recorded against their account, making compliance essential for smooth FBA operations.
Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know
- Carrier and tracking info are mandatory — Since January 2021, FBA sellers must enter the carrier name and tracking details before their shipment arrives at the fulfillment center.
- Exemptions exist for Amazon-partnered carriers — If you use Amazon's Partnered Carrier program or Amazon Global Logistics, tracking information is generated automatically and you do not need to enter it manually.
- Small parcel shipments need unique tracking per box — Each box in a small parcel delivery (SPD) shipment requires its own unique tracking ID. Reusing the same tracking ID across multiple boxes will trigger an error.
- LTL and FTL shipments use PRO or BOL numbers — Less-than-truckload and full-truckload freight shipments require either a PRO number (a unique tracking reference assigned by the freight carrier) or a BOL (Bill of Lading) number per shipment.
- Amazon tracks a defect rate for missing or incorrect tracking — Shipments with missing or wrong tracking information are measured as defects at the shipment level, which can impact your account health.
How Tracking Information Helps Your Business
Providing accurate carrier and tracking data does more than just satisfy a policy requirement — it directly benefits your bottom line. When Amazon has real-time tracking visibility into your in-transit shipments, the platform can activate features that list your out-of-stock products for sale before inventory physically arrives at the warehouse. This means fewer lost sales during transit periods. Amazon also uses your tracking data to plan fulfillment center receiving schedules, which reduces delays and gets your products live faster. Without tracking information, Amazon cannot confirm delivery status, which may lead to extended processing times and uncertainty about your shipment's whereabouts.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Accurate tracking information directly impacts how fast your FBA inventory goes live for sale. Missing or incorrect tracking creates account defects and can cause significant receiving delays that lead to stockouts.
Key Takeaways
- Every FBA shipment requires carrier name and tracking info submitted before arrival at the fulfillment center
- SPD shipments need a unique tracking ID per box, while LTL/FTL shipments need a PRO or BOL number per shipment
- Amazon measures a tracking defect rate that can impact account health if tracking is consistently missing or incorrect
- Proper tracking enables Amazon to make in-transit inventory available for sale, reducing stockout periods
Recommended Actions
- →Establish a standard process for entering tracking information immediately after shipping each FBA shipment
- →For freight shipments, confirm your carrier provides a PRO number or ensure your BOL number is readily accessible
- →If you receive a tracking defect for a carrier that doesn't provide tracking, submit a dispute with documentation to have it removed
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