How to Deliver Truckloads to Amazon FBA

By RoseIn ShipperPosted

Concerning Amazon FBA Shipments

There are several restrictions that shippers and carriers must meet for every LTL and FTL shipment sent to Amazon.

*These standards apply to both individual boxes and palletized boxes for a truck shipment.

The Challenges

For one of Freight Right’s clients, an Amazon FBA warehouse often refused floor-filled containers. The explanation given by FBA for the refusal was that the goods are “unsafe to unload.” Freight Right’s Import team contacted the Relay Operations Center (ROC) and the FBA site manager and discovered three fundamental concerns with the way the manufacturer in China was loading the containers.

1. To maximize container space, the factory put some boxes upright, some sideways, and topped them off with another layer of boxes loaded flat. As a result, FBA forklift operators were unable to unload the boxes using clamps.

2. In general, Amazon would remove the top layer of boxes by hand, leaving the ones facing in the same direction that could be clamped. Unfortunately, the products were too heavy for one person to unload at 80-90lbs each package (Amazon and OSHA regulations limit the weight per box to 50 lbs for manual labor).

3. Because the boxes were stacked too high in the container, it was dangerous for two individuals to hand-carry them, exacerbating the problem.

The firm, like most logistics companies, was optimizing container space, attaining an outstanding 90%+ container utilization (See image below). Unfortunately, the seemingly well-intentioned design resulted in the additional costs of unloading, palletizing, and re-delivering the declined containers with two trucks. Each container was costing the client thousands of dollars.

Our Options

Following the fact-finding conversations, Freight Right’s team began working on solutions for the customer. We developed three bespoke solutions and calculated the landing cost per unit to help the customer make a selection.

Option 1:

Maintain the containers at 90% capacity, but send them to one of Freight Right’s facilities where the boxes will be transloaded, palletized, and delivered to Amazon with larger trucks. This would enable Amazon to unload using standard forklifts while avoiding refusals. The container could hold 402 units at a landed cost of $19.46 per unit.

Option 2:

Load the container with boxes that are vertically stacked. In this scenario, a 1 x 40-foot container would hold 247 cartons. The boxes would be clampable with almost no possibility of resistance. There would be no extra charges for transloading the container, but due to the lower count, the cost per unit would be $20.47.

Option 3:

Load the container with boxes standing up horizontally, allowing for three rows. Each container could hold 312 units, according to the firm. The top row would be over shoulder height, but because the boxes would be clampable, refusal would be unlikely. The per-unit landed cost would be $16.20.

A Long Term Outcome Option #1 was immediately discarded because it was clearly the most expensive option. The client was able to compare options #2 and #3 before deciding on option #3. This choice involved a modest probability of being refused but had the lowest cost per unit. According to the strategy prepared by Freight Right’s experts, the plant was given instructions on how to load the container. The procedure was tested on the following containers, and there were no refusals. Later, this option was picked as the client’s permanent solution.

If Amazon’s constraints change, the customer can still use option #2 with only a modest increase in cost per unit.

The Accountabilities

Responsibilities of the Shipper:

  • Use and construct suitable pallet shipments.
  • Label pallets in accordance with Amazon’s specifications.
  • Please include the Bill of Lading.
  • Make a Delivery Appointment
  • Provide Amazon’s reference IDs and tracking (PRO) numbers to the carrier.

Responsibilities of the Carrier:

  • Obtain the reference IDs, shipment IDs, and tracking (PRO) numbers from Amazon.
  • Schedule a delivery appointment in advance for anticipated shipments.
  • Comply with vehicle maintenance standards.

*An appointment should be requested only after all shipments to be delivered have been recognized and determined. Each shipment can only have up to seven appointments requested by the carrier.

*If numerous appointments are scheduled for the same physical delivery, these appointments may be canceled, removed, or postponed.

Responsibilities of the Shipper: Boxes, Pallets, and Packing Boxes

A single less-than-truckload (LTL) shipment cannot contain more than 5,000 boxes. If the shipper has more than 5,000 boxes, a second LTL shipment must be created.

Pallet Dimensions:

  • Use timber pallets with four-way access 40″ x 48″ – Unacceptable: pallets made of weak materials such as plastic, particleboard, or cardboard.
  • If a single large unit cannot fit on this pallet without overhanging the sides, the shipper may select a pallet size and type that is best suited to that single unit.
  • For transport, use GMA Grade B pallets (can be made out of plywood, lumber, composite, etc.)
  • If you’re shipping groceries, use GMA 1A grade pallets.
  • Only GMA 1A & 1B Grade pallets are authorized for Health & Personal Care and Beauty items.
  • Ship on damaged pallets at your own risk.
  • Damaged and shattered pallets are unacceptable. These can be declined and rejected at the expense of the vendor.

Pallet Construction:

  • Unless transported by small parcel carriers, all partnered carrier cargo must be loaded onto pallets by the shipper. All non-partnered carrier shipments that cannot be sent on pallets must be floor-loaded.
  • Check that all cartons on the pallet meet Amazon’s shipment packaging specifications.

The Assembly Method:

  • Make certain that each pallet contains units that are all associated with the same shipment ID.
  • Please ship boxes (designed to be sold as sets) weighing more than 100 pounds on a single pallet. You can also use a clamp to hold them together. Each pallet’s unit must come from the same shipment ID.
  • Single objects that cannot be fastened together should be placed on their own pallets. Furniture that weighs more than 100 pounds and is longer than 80 inches or wider than 30 inches is an illustration of this.

Requirements For Assembly

Size and weight:

  • Make sure your pallet’s overall weight does not exceed 1,500 pounds.
  • Ensure that single pallets do not exceed 72″ in height (including the height of the pallet). Unless a single unit is taller than 72″ tall, this is the case.
  • If you follow Amazon’s “clampable” guidelines, you can load a pallet to be up to 98″ long.

Wrap and stack:

  • Stack boxes in accordance with standard pallet stacking criteria.’
  • Shipping boxes should not be bundled with bags, elastic materials, or extra straps.
  • Check that the merchandise does not hang over the sides of the pallets.
  • Stack and cover all pallets in clear plastic stretch wrap, and note to the carrier “do not break down” or “do not tear stretch wrap.”
  • To avoid moving during shipping, ensure that the stretch wrap completely encircles the merchandise on the pallet.
  • Check that the products are still stable when the wrap is removed.

Label:

  • As directed by Amazon’s shipment label standards, ensure that each box in the shipment is labeled with a unique Shipment ID.
  • Outside of the stretch wrap, place shipment labels on all four sides of each wrapped pallet.

Load:

  • Check that the overall height of the pallets permits at least 6″ of clearance between the top of the pallet and the container’s roof.
  • Allow at least 3″ between container stacks and walls during transit by using airbags.
  • To prevent the load from shifting or dropping during travel, use metal belts or safety nets.

Double-stacked Pallets

Amazon fulfillment centers will accept double-stacked pallets as long as they are safe to load and unload and do not damage the merchandise during delivery. Any shipper may use the double stacking approach as long as they fulfill the following guidelines:

  • Double stacks are no taller than 100″. (including the height of the pallet).
  • There should be at least 6″ between the top of the pallet and the container roof. This is to ensure that the pallets can be safely unloaded using a forklift.
  • The boxes are packed uniformly from one corner to the other and do not protrude beyond the pallet’s boundaries.
  • The pallets are arranged such that they do not interfere with the unloading procedure.
  • During transit, use airbags to ensure that there is at least a 3″ spacing between container stacks and walls.
  • Use metal straps or safety nets to keep the cargo from shifting or falling during transit.
  • To engage the dock leveler, ensure that there is at least 8″ of clearance between the last row of boxes/pallets and the container doors.

Responsibilities of the Shipper: Pallet Label Requirements

  • Make sure to include shipment labels on all four sides of the pallet’s stretch wrap.
  • Shipment labels should be printed and placed on each box in the pallet.
  • Place the shipment labels properly (straight) on the pallet so that the forklift driver can see them when lifting it.
  • Label the pallet “Single ASIN Pallet” if it includes only one ASIN.
  • When shipping several SKUs on a single pallet, arrange each SKU separately so that it may be easily identified upon arrival at the Amazon Fulfillment Center.

*When sending to a local fulfillment center through Amazon’s Shipping program, additional Amazon carrier shipping label requirements apply. Each Amazon carrier label is distinct and must be used in conjunction with an FBA shipment label. When loading the trailer, be sure that the Amazon carrier and FBA package labels are all facing the door.

Responsibilities of the Shipper: Bills of Lading

When shipping less-than-truckload (LTL) or full truckload (FTL), the shipper must give a valid bill of lading (BOL) to the carrier in order for a delivery appointment to be set. Any shipment BOL that does not meet the conditions listed below may be denied and rejected upon arrival.

This information should be typed or printed, not scrawled. Amazon prefers the standard BOL template because it makes the package easier to identify and receive sooner. If the carrier does not provide a BOL template, ensure that you, the shipper, provide the following information:

  • All Amazon reference and shipment identifiers
  • Seller’s Name Origin Address (street, city, state, zip)
  • Legal name of the seller
  • The carrier’s name, as well as their normal carrier alpha code (SCAC)
  • The shipper reference number (PRO #) of the carrier
  • Information on unit quantity (pallet, box, and each #)
  • Trailer and seal identification (only for truckload shipment)
  • “Shipper load and count” or SLC refers to a trailer that has been loaded, locked, and sealed without enabling the driver to count/inspect the shipment’s contents.
  • Pallet and box count
  • Terms of freight charge

Responsibilities of the Carrier

The carrier is in charge of making an advanced delivery appointment to one of Amazon’s fulfillment sites. It is the obligation of both the shipper and the carrier to complete any necessary processes prior to arranging a delivery appointment.

General Caution:

  • The courier must conform to Amazon’s delivery regulations as well as safety guidelines.
  • In the event that unanticipated weather disrupts delivery plans, the courier must notify Amazon. Any scheduling changes will be made dependent on the availability of a specific warehouse.

Responsibilities of the Carrier: Floor Loaded Shipments

Amazon fulfillment centers prefer palletized shipment for all less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) deliveries. If this is not possible, the carrier must select “floor loaded” as the load type when scheduling a delivery appointment at the fulfillment center.

*If you are using Amazon’s Associated Carrier Program for LTL or FTL deliveries, place your package on pallets, since Amazon’s partnered carriers do not accept floor-loaded or non-palletized shipments.

Responsibilities of the Carrier: Scheduling Delivery Appointments

A complete list of Amazon reference IDs, shipment IDs, and tracking (PRO) numbers must be included on or with the Bill of Lading by the carrier (BOL). When arranging a delivery appointment at one of Amazon’s fulfillment centers, this information is required.

Before making an appointment, the carrier must provide Amazon with the box and pallet counts.

If the carrier has a record of unit counts, the fulfillment center may request them. Floor-loaded trailers must be specified on the carrier’s freight bill as well as when scheduling a delivery appointment.

Responsibilities of the Carrier: Vehicle Security

All delivery vehicles delivering to Amazon’s fulfillment centers must adhere to the following rules:

  • The vehicle’s bottom must be strong enough to support the weight of a fully loaded pallet jack.
  • The vehicle’s floor must be well-maintained and devoid of holes or other potentially hazardous issues.
  • The vehicle must be sealed, clean, and free of strong, unpleasant odors, especially while transporting food and medical supplies.
  • Straps must be securely fastened to the vehicle, unless they are required to secure a load, to ensure that they do not endanger fulfillment center staff.
  • Refrigerated trailers and corrugated floors are not permitted.

*Amazon associates may refuse to check in any trailer, vehicle, or package if the product cannot be securely removed from the deck. Amazon usually sends this information to the seller’s email address, informing them that the delivery was unsuccessful.

Information Required for Quoting

  • Incoterms with Your Supplier (EXW, FOB, etc)
  • Address of the factory
  • Delivery address (If delivering to Amazon FBA, please provide the 4-digit Facility Code)
  • Product Description (Include HS Code if available)
  • Goods’ worth
  • Inform us whether you have previously imported to the United States.
  • Do you have an ongoing customs bond?
  • How frequently do you import into the United States?
  • How frequently do you intend to import in the coming year?

If you’re interested in learning more about shipping with Get Loaded and Rolling, now is the best time to get started. Sign up with Get Loaded and Rolling today.

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