Overview

Amazon's Send to Amazon workflow allows sellers to select different shipping modes when sending inventory to fulfillment centers. The multi-mode shipping feature, found in Step 2 of the workflow, gives sellers the flexibility to choose how their shipments will be transported — whether by small parcel delivery or pallet freight — and even mix shipping modes within a single workflow.

Key Points / What Sellers Need to Know

• Shipping mode defines transportation method - Your shipping mode determines how inventory physically moves from your location to Amazon's fulfillment centers. The two primary options are small parcel delivery (individual boxes shipped via carriers like UPS or FedEx) and less-than-truckload or full truckload pallet shipments.
• Single mode or mixed mode - Sellers can apply one shipping mode and carrier across an entire Send to Amazon workflow, or choose different modes for different shipments within the same workflow. This is especially useful when a workflow splits inventory across multiple fulfillment centers.
• Configuration happens in Step 2 - After confirming your products and quantities in Step 1, Step 2 of the Send to Amazon workflow is where you specify how each shipment will be transported. Decisions made here affect your shipping costs and label requirements.
• Carrier selection ties to shipping mode - When you select a shipping mode, you also choose your carrier. Amazon partners with several carriers that offer discounted rates through the Amazon Partnered Carrier program, though sellers can also use their own preferred carriers.

How Multi-Mode Shipping Works

When you create a shipment plan through Send to Amazon, the workflow may split your inventory across multiple fulfillment center destinations. Without multi-mode shipping, sellers had to ship all portions of a workflow using the same method. Multi-mode shipping removes that limitation. For example, if your workflow generates three shipments — two small quantities going to nearby fulfillment centers and one large quantity heading across the country — you could ship the smaller ones via small parcel and the larger one on a pallet via LTL freight. Each shipment within the workflow can be configured independently, giving you more control over logistics costs and timelines.