Amazon’s third-party sellers now have the option to select their preferred trucking carrier for less-than-truckload (LTL) and full truckload shipments to the company’s U.S. fulfillment centers, according to an announcement on August 9. Sellers can choose from a list of carriers partnered with Amazon using the “Send to Amazon shipment creation workflow.” This feature enables both Fulfillment by Amazon and Multi-Channel Fulfillment sellers to manage inventory replenishment and shipment creation in a single location.
“Once you make your selection, we’ll show you the estimated capacity-backed pickup dates available for each carrier along with the associated transportation costs,” Amazon stated in the announcement. “If you choose not to select a new carrier, your shipment will automatically default to the lowest-cost carrier provided by Amazon.”
Amazon-partnered LTL and TL carriers offer discounted rates to eligible sellers. To take advantage of these rates, sellers must provide a forklift and a dock for loading pallets onto the truck, as well as accommodate a 53-foot trailer at the pickup location.
Sellers can use Amazon-provided data to choose their preferred carriers more effectively, according to an August 22 announcement. Amazon’s carrier performance list includes metrics like on-time delivery rates and no-show percentages, updated weekly, helping sellers identify carriers that meet Amazon’s standards and make informed decisions regarding their logistics partners.
“We encourage you to use this data in your transportation planning,” Amazon said.
By offering more flexibility and information on carrier options, Amazon aims to enhance inbound fulfillment efficiency and speed. “The goal is for our operations teams to have a better