Seller requirements for LTL, FTL, and FCL deliveries

On this page, you will learn what is required of you, the Fulfillment by Amazon (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.

Related guidelines

• For additional requirements for LTL and FTL shipments, see Carrier requirements for LTL and FTL deliveries and Floor Loading Policy.
• For weight, dimension, and shipment packing requirements, see Shipping and routing requirements.
• For smaller shipments, see Small parcel delivery to Amazon.
• For additional information about Amazon Partnered Carriers, see Amazon Partnered Carrier options.

Box limits

A single LTL shipment cannot exceed 5,000 boxes. To ship more than 5,000 boxes, you must create a second shipment.

Pallet requirements

• Use 40 x 48 inches, 4-way access wooden pallets. Do not ship units on pallets made of weak material such as plastic, cardboard or particle board.
• If a single, large unit cannot fit on a 40 x 48 inches 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
  • No block repairs to stringers
• 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 partnered carrier shipments not delivered by small parcel carriers must be loaded on pallets. For non-partnered carrier shipments that cannot be sent on pallets and need to be floor loaded, see the Floor Loading Policy.

Follow these guidelines when stacking boxes on your pallet:

• When shipping multiple ASINs on a pallet, physically separate the ASINs so that they are easy to differentiate upon receipt.
• Any guidelines shown on the box packaging must be followed, such as stack height maximums, box orientation requirements, and handling restrictions.
• Build pallets with the FBA box ID labels facing outwards to allow each barcode on the box to be scanned without breaking down the pallet.
• Stack boxes on pallets so that they are stable and flush on all sides. Brick stacking, with heaviest items on the bottom, is recommended.
• For single ASIN pallets, all boxes must be stacked the same way (i.e. horizontal or vertical). Boxes can still be turned in different directions, but they all must be stacked in the same way.
• Pallets ideally have a pack height no higher than 50 inches (45 inches for boxes and 5 inches for pallet) and are stackable, as this is space efficient and maximizes trailer space. Non-stackable pallets cannot exceed 72 inches in height and are less space efficient.

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. A single pallet can be up to 98 inches, including the height of the pallet, if it conforms to the "clampable" instructions outlined in the Floor Loading Policy. A single pallet that is 98 inches will be “squeezed” and split into two pallets by a clamp truck so the units can be received.

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.

All pallets must be wrapped multiple times 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 must wrap from the top of the stack, down to and including the pallet. 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 box on the shipment must have a unique FBA box ID label that complies with Amazon's shipment label requirements. Wrapped pallets must have FBA pallet 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 pallets 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 pallets to container doors to engage a dock leveler.

Double-stacked pallets

Amazon fulfillment centers accept double-stacked pallets provided they are safe to load, unload and do not cause product damage during transit. You can double stack pallets as needed to maximize freight efficiency. Follow the above guidelines as well as the following for double-stacked pallets:

• Two stacked pallets cannot exceed 100.00 inches total in height (50.00 inches per pallet stack)
• 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 boxes evenly and squarely from corner to corner and do not allow boxes to overhang the pallet edge.
• Boxes should be stacked in rotating layers to ensure stack stability.
• Brick stacking; heavy boxes should be on the bottom stack layers and pallets to prevent lighter boxes from being crushed or damaged.
• The sides and top of the stacked boxes are flush to ensure stack stability.
• Stack pallets with adequate space to allow for unloading.
• Stacked pallets should have the weight and box stacks centered to ensure stability and to prevent the pallets from leaning or falling during transit.

Pallet label requirements

• Place FBA pallet labels on all four sides of the pallet on the outside of the stretch wrap.
• Affix FBA pallet labels to each pallet (four per pallet, one on each side in the top center) and FBA box ID labels to each box on the pallet. You can print pallet labels in 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 with the forklift 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:

For more information about specific product categories that require specialised 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/FTL shipments, a BOL will be generated on the morning of the pickup date and is available in the Track Shipment tab of the Shipment Summary. You can additionally download a blank BOL to fill in for your partnered carrier shipment here.

Follow these guidelines when filling out the BOL form provided by your carrier. Information must be printed, NOT handwritten. We encourage use of a standard BOL template, which helps ensure that your shipment is easy to identify and received 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 shippers 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
• Freight charge terms

Include the BOL number on the shipping container or pallet label. This allows for quick freight verification upon delivery to the Amazon fulfillment center.

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.

Ensure your carrier has an accurate BOL for your shipment. Most of the shipment information is found in the Summary page of the shipment creation workflow. Provide your carrier with 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.