Small-Parcel Delivery (SPD) to Amazon Fulfillment Centers: Shipping Requirements and Box Limits
Covers Amazon's small-parcel delivery (SPD) requirements for FBA shipments, including box limits of 200 for partnered carriers and 500 for non-partnered carriers, plus packaging, labeling, and carrier selection guidelines.
Overview
When sending inventory to Amazon's fulfillment centers, sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) can choose small-parcel delivery (SPD) as their shipping method. SPD shipments consist of individually boxed and labeled packages sent through standard carriers such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, or local postal services. Understanding the specific requirements and limitations of SPD shipments is essential to avoiding delays, additional fees, or rejected deliveries at Amazon's warehouses.
Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know
- SPD Definition — Small-parcel deliveries are shipments where units are packed into individual boxes, and each box is individually labeled for delivery. These are typically smaller shipments compared to less-than-truckload (LTL) or full-truckload (FTL) options.
- Partnered Carrier Box Limit — When using an Amazon-partnered carrier, SPD shipments are limited to 200 boxes per shipment. Partnered carriers offer discounted shipping rates negotiated by Amazon.
- Non-Partnered Carrier Box Limit — When using a non-partnered carrier of your choosing, SPD shipments allow up to 500 boxes per shipment, giving sellers more flexibility for moderately sized inventory sends.
- Carrier Options — SPD shipments are typically sent via well-known carriers including UPS, FedEx, DHL, and various local postal services. Sellers can choose between Amazon's partnered carriers for discounted rates or arrange their own shipping.
- Correct Shipping Method Selection — When creating a shipment in Seller Central, it is critical to select the correct shipping method. Shipments sent under a different method than what was selected, or split across multiple methods or carriers, may face issues when requesting delivery appointments or could be refused at pickup.
How Small-Parcel Delivery Works
The SPD process begins when a seller creates a shipping plan in Seller Central and selects small-parcel delivery as the shipping method. Each box in the shipment must be individually packed and labeled with the appropriate Amazon shipment labels. Sellers then choose whether to use an Amazon-partnered carrier, which provides discounted rates and streamlined tracking, or a non-partnered carrier of their own selection. Once the boxes are prepared and labeled, they are picked up by the carrier or dropped off at a shipping location for delivery to the designated Amazon fulfillment center. Amazon's system tracks each box individually using its unique label, so proper labeling is non-negotiable.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Correctly preparing SPD shipments prevents delivery refusals, check-in delays, and unexpected fees at Amazon fulfillment centers. Sellers who understand box limits and labeling requirements can keep their inventory pipeline running smoothly.
Key Takeaways
- SPD shipments are limited to 200 boxes with partnered carriers and 500 boxes with non-partnered carriers
- Each box must be individually labeled with an FBA shipment label from Seller Central
- Selecting the wrong shipping method in Seller Central can cause delivery appointment issues or shipment refusal
- Sellers approaching SPD box limits should consider switching to LTL or FTL for better cost efficiency
Recommended Actions
- →Always verify that the shipping method selected in Seller Central matches your actual carrier and delivery method before confirming the shipment
- →Remove or cover old shipping labels and barcodes on boxes before sending to prevent scanning errors at fulfillment centers
- →Evaluate transitioning to LTL shipping if your SPD shipments regularly approach the 200- or 500-box limit
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!