Shipping freight to Amazon Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) warehouses is one of the most detail-sensitive logistics tasks a shipper can face. Amazon enforces strict prep, labeling, and delivery requirements — and non-compliant shipments get rejected, charged penalties, or returned. This guide covers the complete process from creating your shipping plan to successful delivery at the fulfillment center.
Step 1: Create a Shipping Plan in Seller Central
Every FBA inbound shipment starts with a shipping plan in Amazon Seller Central. You will select which products you are sending, specify quantities, choose the prep and labeling requirements for each item, and let Amazon assign a destination fulfillment center. Amazon may split your inventory across multiple fulfillment centers — this is normal and designed to position products closer to customers for faster delivery.
You can use Amazon's Inventory Placement Service to send all inventory to a single fulfillment center for a per-unit fee, but this adds cost. Most sellers find it more economical to ship to multiple centers as directed.
Step 2: Prep and Label Your Products
Amazon has specific prep requirements for different product categories. Items in bags must be sufficiently sealed and have a suffocation warning if the bag opening exceeds 5 inches. Glass items need bubble wrap. Sharp items need secure covers. Liquids need sealed containers with additional bagging. Each unit must have a scannable FNSKU barcode — either on the product packaging or on an Amazon-generated label applied to the item.
Prep errors are one of the most common reasons for FBA shipment rejection. If you are shipping large volumes, consider using Amazon's FBA Prep Service, which handles prep and labeling at the fulfillment center for a per-unit fee.
Step 3: Palletize According to Amazon Requirements
Amazon requires freight shipments (anything you send as LTL or FTL rather than small parcel) to be palletized. The requirements are precise:
- Use standard GMA pallets (40 x 48 inches, 4-way entry)
- Maximum pallet weight: 1,500 pounds (except single oversized items)
- Maximum pallet height: 72 inches including the pallet (approximately 66 inches of stacked product)
- Shrink-wrap each pallet from the top of the product down to the pallet deck
- Do not use slip sheets between cartons — use corner boards for stability instead
- Stack cartons in a uniform, stable pattern — avoid overhanging the pallet edges
- Place an Amazon FBA pallet label on all four sides of each pallet
Pallets that do not meet these specifications will be rejected at the dock. Check our pallet sizes guide for more detail on GMA specifications and proper stacking techniques.
Step 4: Choose Your Shipping Mode
For FBA shipments, you have three primary options: small parcel (SPD) for individual boxes, LTL for shipments of 1 to 10 pallets, and FTL for 10 or more pallets or when you have enough volume to fill most of a trailer. Amazon also offers its Partnered Carrier Program, which provides discounted shipping rates through carriers like UPS (for SPD) and Amazon-partnered LTL carriers.
The Partnered Carrier rates are often competitive, but they come with restrictions on pickup scheduling and carrier selection. If you need more control or have specific timing requirements, using your own carrier or a freight dispatch partner gives you more flexibility.
Step 5: Schedule Your Delivery Appointment
All LTL and FTL deliveries to Amazon fulfillment centers require a delivery appointment. Appointments are scheduled through Amazon's Carrier Central portal. Without an appointment, your carrier will be turned away at the gate. Appointment slots fill up quickly, especially during peak season — schedule as early as possible, ideally 3 to 5 days before your planned delivery date.
Drivers arriving more than 30 minutes before or after their appointment window may be asked to wait or reschedule, which can result in detention charges and delivery delays.
Step 6: Ensure the Bill of Lading Is Correct
Your BOL must include the Amazon-assigned reference number (the FBA Shipment ID), the fulfillment center address, the number of pallets, and the total weight. Amazon also requires that the BOL list the number of cartons per pallet. Incorrect or incomplete BOLs cause delivery delays and can result in your shipment being refused.
Common Amazon FBA Shipping Mistakes
- Missing or incorrect FNSKU labels: Every unit must have a scannable FNSKU barcode. Missing labels mean Amazon cannot receive your inventory.
- Overstacked pallets: Exceeding the 72-inch height limit or 1,500-pound weight limit results in rejection.
- No delivery appointment: Carriers without appointments are turned away. No exceptions.
- Mixing ASINs without proper labeling: If multiple products share a pallet, each carton must be labeled with its contents.
- Arriving at the wrong fulfillment center: Amazon assigns specific fulfillment centers for each shipment plan. Delivering to the wrong location results in rejection and return-to-sender charges.
Shipping to Amazon FBA successfully comes down to meticulous preparation and following Amazon's rules exactly. If you sell on Amazon and want expert help with your inbound freight, request a quote and we will handle the logistics so you can focus on selling.