Shipping Products to Amazon

How should I pack my product units for shipment to Amazon?

There are two options for packing products to be sent to an Amazon Fulfilment Centre:

• Individual Items: Each box will contain one or more items of varying quantities and conditions.
• Case-Packed Items: All items in a box will have matching SKU and condition. All boxes with the same item will contain equal quantities of that item in each box. While receiving this type of shipment, the Fulfilment Centre scans one unit from the box and the box is placed in inventory. There is no need to scan every unit because they are all the same.

Please note that a shipment can consist of either Individual Items or Case-Packed Items. If your inventory includes both, they will need to be sent in separate shipments. 

What are the reasons why Amazon may require splitting inventory into multiple shipments?

The inventory you send to Amazon may be split into multiple shipments assigned to different Fulfilment Centres based on the product size and category and other fulfilment network factors, such as special product storage and handling requirements at the Fulfilment Centre.

Can I select the Fulfilment Centre where my inventory will be stored?

Yes. Our Premium Placement Programme is a paid inventory placement service that enables you to send your eligible shipments to the fulfilment centres of your choice. Once you are registered to the Programme, all your eligible shipments are sent to these fixed fulfilment centres.

Please note that certain products, including Apparel, Jewellery, Shoes, Media, oversize and products with special preparation or handling requirements (such as “Hazmat”) may still need to be shipped to other locations.

How do I select a shipping method and transportation carrier for my shipment to Amazon?

When you create a new shipping plan through the “Actions > Send > Replenish inventory” option in the “Manage Inventory” page of your Seller Account or you work on an existing shipping plan which has not yet been completed, you are guided through the preparation of your shipment to an Amazon Fulfilment Centre and prompted to select one of the following delivery methods:

• Small Parcel Deliveries (SPD), which consist of units packed in individual boxes and individually labelled for delivery.
• Less Than Truckload (LTL), “pallet shipments” that combine individual boxes on pallets.

Fulfilment by Amazon Shipping and Routing Requirements apply to all boxes shipped to Amazon Fulfilment Centres whether by Small Parcel Delivery or Pallets. Please read these requirements carefully to ensure your shipment is successfully received into the Fulfilment Centre.

Once you have chosen your shipping method and you ship to us with any common carrier, you will be then able to enter the following references received from your carrier in order to enable tracking of your items in-transit:

• The tracking number(s) for Small Parcel Deliveries
• The bill of lading (BOL) number and the PRO/freight bill number for “LTL” pallet shipments

To avoid disappointment, we strongly recommend you use a reputable carrier company to deliver shipments on your behalf. Private domestic vehicles are not allowed to make deliveries to Amazon's Fulfilment Centres.

Do FBA Sellers have access to preferred transportation rates negotiated by Amazon to ship inventory into Amazon Fulfilment Centres?

Amazon is constantly looking for ways to help Sellers be more successful and make Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) as simple and cost effective as possible to use. Amazon recently introduced its Partnered Carrier Programme (PCP), which gives FBA Sellers access to preferred transportation rates to ship inventory (in parcels only) into Amazon Fulfilment Centres (FC). 

Benefits to Sellers of participating in the Partnered Carrier Programme (PCP) include:

• Optimal service with trusted carriers who are familiar with Amazon delivery appointments and inbound procedures. Amazon fulfilment centres are able to process shipments and make inventory available for sale faster than before.
• Very competitive pricing.
• Amazon takes on responsibility for dealing with lost or damaged inventory, consistent with its standard FBA policy.
• Increased visibility as the Carrier’s tracking number is automatically linked to your shipment. You can track your shipment in Seller Central from the time it leaves your premises until it is received at an Amazon fulfilment centre.
• Easy online registration during the shipment creation process and automatic billing at discounted rates.
• No minimum commitment necessary. You can opt to use PCP on a “per shipment” basis.
• Simplified process for contacting carriers concerning shipment pick-up from your premises.

Further details about Amazon’s Partnered Carrier Programme (PCP) can be found here .

How do I generate shipping labels?

When you create a new shipping plan through the “Actions > Send > Replenish inventory” option in the “Manage Inventory” page of your Seller Account or you work on an existing shipping plan which has not yet been completed, you are guided through the preparation of your shipment to an Amazon Fulfilment Centre and prompted to generate shipping labels. For a Small Parcel Delivery, you must print shipping labels (one per box) , containing the destination address and return address, to be affixed to the outside of each sealed box in addition to the carrier label.

For a Less-Than-Truckload shipment, you must print box labels (one per box) and place them on the outside of each box so that they will be visible when unpacking the pallet at the Fulfilment Centre. In addition, pallet labels must be affixed to the top-centre of all four sides of each stretch-wrapped pallet.

Adhesive blank labels can be found at most office supply stores or you can purchase them online on Amazon websites.

Can I arrange direct shipment of inventory to Amazon from overseas suppliers?

No. Sellers with shipments that originate from overseas will need to arrange the import and customs clearance of the shipment and then arrange for the delivery to our facility. Amazon may not be used as the consignee, importer of record or final address when shipping from overseas.

How do I notify Amazon in advance of the units I want to ship to them for fulfilment?

Less than truckload (LTL) or Pallet shipments require delivery appointments. Otherwise, the Fulfilment Centre may refuse to accept the shipment.

To schedule a delivery appointment with the Fulfilment Centre, you must download the Fulfilment by Amazon Booking Form, fill it out and e-mail it to your carrier. You will need the PO Number to complete the form. You can locate the PO number as well as other shipment information on the “Shipping Queue” page of your Amazon Seller Account. Your carrier will send the completed form by e-mail to the desired Fulfilment Centre and they will respond to your carrier within 24 hours to determine the best delivery time.

Who will be responsible for product damage or loss during shipment to an Amazon Fulfilment Centre?

Most carriers assume limited liability for damage or loss in transit depending on the cause. If your units are damaged, we recommend filing a damage claim with your carrier. Amazon is not responsible for damage during shipment to a Fulfilment Centre.