Seller requirements for less than truckload (LTL), full truckload (FTL), and ocean full container load (FCL) deliveries on this page, you will learn what is required of you, the FBA seller, for less than truckload (LTL) and full truckload (FTL) deliveries to Amazon fulfillment centers. You’ll also be able to download help guides for ocean full container load (FCL) deliveries.
Below are the requirements for LTL/FTL deliveries to Amazon fulfillment centers. Following these guidelines, and making sure that your carriers and suppliers follow them, will help:
- Ensure that your shipments are accepted
- Enable the most efficient and accurate unloading, receipt and storage of your inventory
- Prevent you from having to remove or dispose of, or pay additional fees for, shipments that don’t meet these guidelines
Related guidelines
- For additional requirements for LTL and FTL shipments, see the carrier requirements and alternative shipment options.
- For weight, dimension, and shipment packing requirements, see the Shipping and routing requirements.
- For smaller shipments, see Small parcel delivery to Amazon.
- For ocean full container load (FCL) shipments, download these help guides (English and Chinese).
Box limits
A single LTL shipment cannot exceed 4,999 boxes. To ship more than 4,999 boxes, you must create a second shipment.
Pallet requirements
- Use 40 inch x 48 inch, four way access wooden pallets. Do not ship units on pallets made of weak material such as cardboard or particle board.
- If a single, large unit cannot fit on a 40 inch x 48 inch pallet without overhanging the edges, use a pallet size and type that is suitable for the unit.
- Ship Units on GMA Standard B Grade or higher pallets. Regardless of the material (lumber, plywood, composite, etc.), GMA Standard B Grade pallets have:
- 6 or 7 boards on top, depending on board width
- No less than 4 boards on bottom
- Stringers for added support
- 4-way entry
- Ship Grocery products on GMA 1A Grade pallets only. GMA 1A Grade pallets have:
- 7 boards on top
- 5 boards on bottom
- Stringers for added support
- 4-way entry
- No block repairs to stringers
- Only GMA 1A and 1B Grade pallets are acceptable for Health & Personal Care and Beauty products. GMA 1B Grade pallets have:
- 6 or 7 boards on top, depending on board width
- No less than 4 boards on bottom
- Stringers for added support
- 4-way entry
- Only 1 stringer may have a plug or other type of repair
- Ship only on pallets that are in good condition.
- Broken and damaged pallets are not acceptable and may be rejected at the seller’s expense.
- Build pallets
- All shipments not delivered by small parcel carriers must be loaded on pallets. For information about floor-loaded shipments, see the floor loading policy.
Watch this brief video for more information about building a pallet.
How to build a pallet
Each carton on the pallet must comply with Amazon’s shipment packaging requirements.
Assembly: The units on each pallet must all belong to one shipment ID. Place shipping boxes that are intended to be sold together, such as a set, and that weigh more than 100 lb on a single pallet (one sellable unit on each) or clamp them together. Single, non-clampable shipping boxes or units, such as furniture, that weigh more than 100 lb, are more than 80 inches long, or are more than 30 inches wide should be placed on their own pallet.
Weight and height: Total weight of the pallet must not exceed 1,500 lb. Single pallets must not be higher than 72 inches, including the height of the pallet, unless a single unit is taller than 72 inches or they conform to the “clampable” instructions outlined in the alternative shipping options .
Stacking and wrapping: Stage boxes using only standard pallet stacking requirements. Do not bundle shipping boxes using bags, elastic, or extra straps. The contents must not overhang the pallet edge by more than 1 inch on any side.
All pallets must be wrapped in clear plastic stretch wrap with a “do not break stretch wrap” or “do not break down” notification to the carrier. The stretch wrap must completely hold the product to the pallet to prevent shifting during transit. The stretch wrap should not be used to stabilize the load on the pallet; the contents should be stable once the stretch wrap is removed.
Labeling: Every carton on the shipment must have a unique Shipment ID label that complies with Amazon’s shipment label requirements. Wrapped pallets must have shipment labels placed on all four sides on the outside of the stretch wrap.
Loading: The overall height of the pallets must allow 6 inches of clearance from the top of the stack to the roof of the container. Allow for at least 3 inches between container stacks and walls while in transit by using air bags to ensure stability, non-metal straps, or a safety net to prevent the load from shifting or falling.
Double-stacked pallets
Amazon fulfillment centers accept double-stacked pallets provided they are safe to load and unload and do not cause product damage during transit. You can double stack pallets as needed to maximize freight efficiency. Follow these guidelines for double-stacked pallets:
- Do not exceed 100 inches in height, including the height of the pallets. Allow for at least 6 inches of space from the top of the pallet to the container ceiling to allow for the safe unloading of pallets with a forklift.
- Stack cartons evenly and squarely from corner to corner and do not allow boxes to overhang the pallet edge.
- Stack pallets with adequate space to allow for unloading.
- Allow for at least 3 inches between container stacks and walls while in transit by using air bags to ensure stability, non-metal straps, or a safety net to prevent the load from shifting or falling.
- Allow for at least 8 inches of clearance from the last row of cartons to container doors to engage a dock leveler.
- Pallet label requirements
- Place shipment labels on all four sides of the pallet on the outside of the stretch wrap.
- Affix FBA shipment labels to each pallet (four per pallet, one on each side in the top center). You can print shipment labels from the Shipment Creation Workflow.
- Place labels squarely (not on an angle) on all four sides of the pallet so that the forklift driver can see them when approaching to lift the pallet.
- Label the pallet “Single ASIN Pallet” if it contains only one ASIN.
- When shipping multiple SKUs on a pallet, physically separate the SKUs, so they are easy to tell apart when received at the fulfillment center. See the special pallet labeling requirements below.
- Special pallet label requirements for product types
Include the following information on labels when it applies:
Label Applies to: Team Lift Boxes that exceed 50 lb*Mech Lift Boxes that exceed 100 lb*Mixed SKU Pallets and boxes that contain more than one type of sellable unit (different SKU or condition)Carton #____ of _____ Multiple boxes that are part of a single shipment. Number each box and include the total number of boxes in the second blank.Sold as set Sellable units that consist of multiple products that are intended to be sold as a single SKU. Whenever possible, wrap units belonging in a set together within the box to prevent them from being separated.*Boxes must not exceed the standard weight limit of 50 lb, unless they contain a single oversize unit that exceeds 50 lb.
For more information about specific product categories that require specialized prep, see Packaging and prep requirements.
Bills of lading (BOLs)For each LTL/FTL shipment you create in your shipping queue, you must provide a valid bill of lading (BOL) to the carrier, so it can schedule a delivery appointment. Shipment BOLs that do not meet the requirements listed below will be refused upon delivery. For Amazon-partnered LTL shipments, a BOL will be generated within 24 hours of the pickup date and time.
Follow these guidelines when filling out the BOL form provided by your carrier. We encourage use of a standard BOL template, which helps ensure that your shipment is easy to identify and receive in a timely manner. If your carrier does not provide a template, make sure your BOL includes the following information:
All Amazon Reference IDs and Shipment IDs contained in the shipment. You can find these in the Summary of the Shipment Creation Workflow.Seller name from address (street address, city, state, ZIP code)Legal name of the seller carrier name and standard carrier alpha code (SCAC) Carrier’s shipper's reference number (PRO#)Handling unit quantity (pallet, box, each) information trailer and seal number (truckload shipment only)“Shipper load and count” or “SLC” if the trailer is loaded, locked, and sealed without enabling the driver to count or inspect the shipment contents correct pallet and box count quantities include the BOL number on the shipping container or pallet label. This allows for quick freight verification upon delivery to the Amazon fulfillment center.
Ocean full container load (FCL) shipments Amazon fulfillment centers accept ocean full container load (FCL) shipments provided they are safe to unload and do not cause product damage during transit. Download the FBA Ocean Container Preparation Guidelines (English and Chinese versions) to print out and share with your supplier or factory, or for yourself.
Scheduling a delivery download and complete the FBA booking form. Most of the shipment information is found in the Summary page of the Shipment Creation Workflow. Once you have filled out this form, email it to your carrier along with a link to the User Manual for Carriers.
Your carrier will need to schedule a delivery appointment through Carrier Central. For more information, see Carrier Requirements for Less than Truckload (LTL) and Full Truckload (FTL) Deliveries.