Amazon has a Partnered Carrier Program for trucking your merchandise into their fulfillment centers.
This post will explain the three main options they offer, and the pros and cons of each one.
In some cases, using the Amazon Partnered shipping will be more economical and more time-efficient – and in some cases, the benefit of using an independent logistics provider will be highly superior in all ways.
The 3 Main Ways And When To Use Them
Here are the three main ways you can truck your cargo into Amazon.
You should choose the correct one for the volume of shipping that you are doing, and weigh up whether you’ll be better off with an Amazon partnered service, or a third party logistics provider.
- Amazon SPD – Small Parcel Delivery
SPD, or small parcel delivery, is both your fastest and also your most expensive (per lb) option. It is quite simply sending a parcel by UPS or Fedex, to be received by the Amazon Fulfillment Center.
Use this option when you have inventory of an item that is really low in stock, but in very high demand. If you’re sure it will sell really quickly and net you a good profit, it’s worth it to spend that extra on shipping.
Amazon will have much better agreed-upon rates with UPS and Fedex than what you can get independently. Always go with them for a small parcel drop – unless you ship Hazmat products that Amazon will not handle.
- LTL – Less than Truck Load
This is your best option when you have more than just a couple of boxes, and your merch is enough to fill a pallet or two. Your pallets will be carefully packed in the truck along with another few people’s cargo.
When you use the Amazon Partnered truckers, the price may be cheaper. You can check online and also request a quote from a third party to compare.
But there are other aspects apart from the cost of the truck.
When shipping with Amazon, you do not have much control over the process, and your communication channels are limited. Your merchandise can face delays for many reasons, and you will not be informed by Amazon. One common reason for LTL delays is that they are waiting for multiple bookings from close-by locations, so they can send out one truck for a few shipments.
If it is important to you that your Amazon store is stocked in a timely manner, then it’s important to weigh up the increased cost of trucking versus the tailored and reliable service a reputable logistics company can provide.
- FTL – Full Truck Load
When you have enough cargo going into one Amazon location to fill a whole truck, then it’s time to book FTL. If you have 10 or more pallets, you’ll be booking out the entire truck.
Amazon do not have a good track record with FTL. Their prices are usually very high. They also do not have much management in place over their FTL drivers, so the service level is very low.
However, one advantage of using Amazon partnered FTL is they always accept the shipment. If there is a chance your product is questionable in any way and may be rejected by Amazon if sent via regular trucking – then use the Amazon option.
Using a good third party logistics provider for your FTL means you will get excellent, reliable service with minimal delays. At Simple Forwarding, we keep tabs on how trucking companies are faring on particular routes. We can also see when booking a receiving appointment at Amazon exactly how busy that Amazon location is, and how long you are likely to be kept waiting for your shipment to be received and stocked.
Know Your Options
These are the three ways you have to ship your merchandise into your Amazon store.
Whether to use the Amazon Partnered Carrier Program is up to you each time.
There are pros and cons for each shipping option. It’s up to you to weigh up whether price or service is most important.
Unless your shipment is one of the many cases when the 3PL is superior for both price and service – then it’s no question at all.
You Have a Partner In Us
At Simple Forwarding, we are happy to say we have a great working relationship with many Amazon Sellers. With every shipment into Amazon, we have a protocol in place:
We’ll check which trucker is best for your route and time frame, so you don’t have to wait – expect same day pickup as standard. We will also make an assessment on the expected receiving time for your requested Amazon Fulfillment Center. If it’s looking like they are backed up, we’ll tell you – and check on others in the vicinity. It may save you weeks of waiting!
For every shipment we truck, we always have the contact information of the company, the depot, and of course the driver. You’ll be able to get real time updates of where your shipment is, whenever you need it.
It’s a far cry from the no-show service you can expect from Amazon’s truckers.
