Understanding Amazon's Partnered Carrier Program for FBA Shipments
Amazon’s Partnered Carrier program lets FBA sellers ship to the 48‑state mainland at pre‑negotiated rates – e.g., a 30‑lb box from Texas costs $7 vs $10‑12 with a standard UPS account. Costs for a 12‑oz product can fall from $4.20 to $2.90 per box, and LTL freight for 500 units (three pallets) is handled via a single workflow.
Overview
Amazon’s Partnered Carrier program lets FBA sellers tap into Amazon‑negotiated freight rates when sending inventory to fulfillment centers across the lower 48 states. The service covers both individual box shipments and palletized freight, offering lower costs and built‑in tracking. Sellers who move inventory regularly can cut inbound expenses while streamlining the logistics workflow.
Key Points
- Discounted carrier rates — Amazon’s contracts with partnered carriers often beat the rates a seller could obtain on the open market; for example, a 30‑pound box shipped from Texas to a Midwest fulfillment center may cost $7 with the program versus $10‑$12 using a standard UPS account.
- Two shipment families — Small‑parcel shipments (UPS‑handled boxes) and freight shipments (LTL, intermodal, or full‑truckload pallets) are both supported, letting sellers choose the most efficient mode for any order size.
- Integrated tracking & reimbursement — Labels are generated in Seller Central, real‑time tracking is displayed on the same dashboard, and any loss or damage triggers Amazon’s FBA inventory reimbursement policy automatically.
- Precise setup required — Selecting the wrong carrier type or entering an inaccurate ship‑from address can cause missed pickups, extra handling fees, or outright refusal at the fulfillment center.
- Hazardous goods excluded — Items classified as dangerous materials cannot be moved through the Partnered Carrier network; sellers must arrange separate compliance‑approved carriers for those SKUs.
- Eligibility limited to the contiguous U.S. — Shipments destined for Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories must use a non‑partnered carrier, as the program’s rate agreements apply only within the 48‑state mainland.
How the Partnered Carrier Program Works
- Create an inbound shipment — In Seller Central’s “Send to Amazon” wizard, the seller selects the destination fulfillment center and inputs the SKU quantities. Example: A seller of home‑decor items creates a shipment of 500 units destined for the Dallas fulfillment hub.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
Lower inbound shipping costs improve contribution margins and reduce admin overhead, while integrated tracking and automatic reimbursement cut claim processing time. The program, however, excludes Alaska, Hawaii, territories and hazardous goods, so sellers must plan alternatives for those SKUs.
Key Takeaways
- Discounted rates: a 30‑lb box ships for $7 versus $10‑12 with regular UPS.
- Cost reduction example: 12‑oz product shipping drops from $4.20 to $2.90 per box.
- Eligibility limited to contiguous US; Alaska, Hawaii, territories require non‑partnered carriers.
- Hazardous goods cannot use the program and must be shipped with compliant carriers.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central, go to ‘Send to Amazon’ > create inbound shipment and select ‘Amazon Partnered Carrier’ for Small‑Parcel or LTL as appropriate.
- →Verify the ship‑from address and carrier type before confirming to avoid pickup refusals.
- →For any hazardous SKUs or shipments to Alaska/Hawaii, arrange a separate carrier outside the Partnered Carrier program.
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!