How to Track Your Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) Shipments
Amazon AWD now auto‑generates tracking numbers for partnered SPD and truckload carriers, while non‑partnered carriers require manual entry or CSV bulk upload. The Bill of Lading for partnered truckload shipments is downloadable before 8:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day, and correcting tracking errors within 24 hours prevents missed inbound appointments.
Overview
Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) lets sellers store inventory in Amazon’s fulfillment network and have Amazon handle the final delivery to customers. A critical step in the inbound process is entering or confirming tracking information so sellers can see exactly when each pallet or box leaves their dock and arrives at an Amazon fulfillment center. Knowing how tracking works for small‑parcel (SPD) shipments versus truckload (LTL/FTL) shipments helps sellers keep supply‑chain visibility and avoid inbound delays.
Key Points
- Tracking applies to specific shipment modes — Only SPD shipments and partnered‑carrier truckload shipments require tracking details in the AWD workflow; pure LTL or FTL shipments follow a separate procedure.
- Partnered carriers auto‑generate IDs — When you select an Amazon‑partnered carrier, Amazon creates a unique tracking number for every package without any manual entry.
- Non‑partnered carriers need manual entry — If you ship with your own carrier, you must supply the tracking numbers either during the tracking step or later from the shipment summary page.
- Bulk upload saves time on large shipments — Sellers can upload a spreadsheet of dozens or hundreds of tracking IDs in one action, eliminating the need to type each number individually.
- Bill of Lading (BOL) downloads are timed — For partnered‑carrier truckload shipments, the BOL becomes available for download before 8:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day, giving you a printable proof of load.
- Accurate tracking speeds inbound processing — When Amazon receives correct tracking data, it can anticipate arrival windows, prioritize unloading, and make inventory available for sale faster.
How the AWD Shipment Workflow Works
- Select inventory to send — Choose the SKU list, quantities, and fulfillment center destination; for example, a seller may pick 5,000 units of a seasonal product to be sent to the Dallas fulfillment hub.
- Choose carrier type — Decide whether to use an Amazon‑partnered carrier (e.g., UPS for SPD or a contracted truckload carrier) or a non‑partnered carrier you have under contract.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Accurate tracking lets Amazon anticipate arrival windows, prioritize unloading, and make inventory sellable faster. For example, a seller moving 2,000 units across 400 boxes can upload a CSV in seconds, avoiding hours of manual entry. Errors fixed within 24 hours avoid missed inbound appointments and keep sales momentum.
Key Takeaways
- Partnered carriers (e.g., UPS) auto‑create a unique tracking number for each SPD or truckload package.
- Non‑partnered carriers require manual entry or bulk CSV upload; the upload can handle dozens to hundreds of IDs at once.
- Bill of Lading for partnered truckload shipments becomes available for download before 8:00 a.m. on the pickup day.
- Correcting a tracking number within 24 hours can prevent a missed inbound appointment and speed inventory availability.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central, go to Shipping Preferences > select a partnered carrier (e.g., UPS) so tracking IDs are generated automatically.
- →Create a CSV with columns for SSCC, weight, dimensions, and carrier tracking number, then upload it on the Tracking Details screen for high‑volume ...
- →On the scheduled pickup day, log into the shipment summary page before 8:00 a.m., click “Download BOL,” and give the document to the driver.
Comments
Join the discussion
Log in or create an account to share your thoughts on this update.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!