Amazon LTL Freight: How Inbound Shipping Works

LTL freight is the standard inbound method for FBA sellers shipping high carton volumes to Amazon fulfillment centers. Getting it right requires more than booking a truck. Labeling requirements, pallet standards, shipment data accuracy, and delivery appointments all have to line up or you risk rejections, delays, and chargebacks. Here is how the process works from start to finish.

When to Use LTL Instead of Small Parcel

LTL makes sense when your shipment has too many cartons to send efficiently via small parcel, or when the per-unit freight cost is lower on palletized freight. Common triggers include high carton counts, heavier or bulkier products, or operational preference for consolidating inbound shipments.

One thing to know before you start: Amazon may route your shipment as truckload instead of LTL depending on volume. Check the carrier selection step in Send to Amazon for any constraints that apply to your specific shipment.

The Inbound Workflow in Send to Amazon

Step 1: Build the shipment and confirm contents

Create or replenish your inventory using Send to Amazon and confirm units, prep settings, and labeling. Pay attention to shipment plan splits. Amazon may direct inventory to more than one fulfillment center, which affects how many pallets you build and how many appointments you need to schedule.

Step 2: Select LTL and choose a carrier

You have two main options: the Amazon Partnered Carrier program and Amazon Freight LTL where available. Amazon Partnered Carrier lets you book through Amazon at negotiated rates with costs deducted from your account. Amazon Freight LTL is Amazon’s own pickup service with specific availability constraints. If you prefer to use your own carrier, that option exists but you lose access to partnered pricing.

Step 3: Enter freight details

You will need to provide pallet count, dimensions, weight, stackability, and pickup location. Be accurate here. Incorrect weights and dimensions are one of the more common causes of carrier disputes and unexpected fees. For partnered LTL, Amazon estimates the freight class based on the information you enter.

Step 4: Confirm charges, book pickup, and print paperwork

Review the cost estimate and confirm the shipment. Print the bill of lading (BOL) and all required labels before pickup. The BOL must accompany the shipment and match your shipment plan. Keep a copy.

Pallet Requirements

A rejected or reworked pallet at the dock wastes time and can generate chargebacks. Build pallets to meet these standards:

• Use standard 40″ x 48″ pallets in good condition
• Stack cartons without overhang beyond the pallet edge
• Wrap pallets securely with stretch wrap to prevent shifting
• Keep stacking stable enough that pallets can be moved without cartons falling
• Do not mix shipments destined for different fulfillment centers on the same pallet

Labeling Requirements

Labeling is where most LTL shipments run into problems. There are two distinct labeling requirements and both must be met.

Pallet labels: Each pallet requires four pallet ID labels, one on each side, placed so they are visible and scannable from the outside. For Amazon Freight LTL shipments, there are additional labeling details specific to that service. Check the Send to Amazon pallet label printing instructions for the exact placement requirements.

Carton labels: Every individual box on a pallet needs its own unique box label. The pallet label does not replace carton labels. FBA box ID labels and carrier labels must both be present on each carton and placed where they can be scanned without moving or rotating the box. Labels covered by stretch wrap or placed on the bottom of cartons will cause receiving delays.

Delivery Appointments and What Happens at the Dock

Amazon fulfillment centers require scheduled delivery appointments for freight. Arriving without one, arriving late, or arriving with paperwork that does not match the shipment plan can result in refusal or a rescheduled delivery.

At the dock, Amazon checks pallet integrity, label scan success, carton labeling completeness, and BOL accuracy. Anything that fails those checks creates rework, delays receiving, and may generate a chargeback against your account.

Common Rejection and Delay Causes

Operating Checklist

Before booking pickup:

• Validate shipment plan and note any destination splits
• Confirm pallet count, weights, dimensions, and stackability
• Print and apply all carton labels and pallet labels
• Verify no labels are obscured or placed on box bottoms

Day of pickup:

• Have the BOL and supporting paperwork ready before the driver arrives
• Confirm pallets are staged, wrapped, and all four pallet labels are visible

After pickup:

• Track the freight and respond to any appointment change requests promptly
• Reconcile the delivered pallet count against your shipment plan and document any discrepancies

Most LTL inbound problems are preventable. Accurate shipment data, compliant pallet builds, and complete labeling account for the majority of rejections and delays. Build a standard operating process around the checklist above and most of these issues stop recurring.