Simplify your Amazon FBA shipping

For many small businesses, selling products on Amazon is a major growth opportunity. But the process of shipping to an Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) warehouse comes with a learning curve. From understanding appointment requirements to choosing the right carrier, there are a few critical steps to get right.

Getting started: The FBA shipping basics

A growing handmade candle company had recently expanded its online presence by selling through Amazon. Moving from small parcel shipments to freight for Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) was a major milestone—but shipping to Amazon’s warehouses turned out to be more complicated than expected.

When the candle company first began shipping pallets of product to Amazon, they quickly realized it wasn’t as simple as printing a label and loading a truck. Booking the shipment with the Freightquote online tool generated a standard BOL (bill of lading), but Amazon required additional information to accept the freight at their facility.

Fortunately, Freightquote by C.H. Robinson helps streamline and simplify FBA shipping from the start and makes it simple to add necessary information to the “Delivery Details” and “Special Instructions” text boxes when booking.

Here are a few things businesses should keep in mind to start the process off smoothly:

• 1. Amazon Purchase Order (PO) numbers: These should be clearly listed on the shipment documents. If multiple POs are associated with one pallet, all must be reflected on the BOL.
• 2. FBA Shipment ID: This ID is assigned by Amazon and helps the warehouse identify the exact contents and quantities of your shipment. Be sure to also include this ID on the BOL.
• 3. Appointment information (full truckload): If an appointment has already been scheduled, include the appointment ID, date, and time in the “Special Instructions” field. If not, Freightquote can schedule one on your behalf.

At pickup, it's important to provide all shipping documentation to the carrier’s driver. Doing so reduces the chances of delays or confusion once your freight arrives at the Amazon facility.

Choosing the right carrier for Amazon

One of the most important things to know when shipping to Amazon FBA is that not all less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers are accepted at their warehouses. Only approved LTL carriers can complete these deliveries. When you select “Deliver to an Amazon warehouse” in the Freightquote quoting tool, only quotes from eligible carriers will be returned.

For full truckload (FTL) shipments, Amazon accepts freight from any carrier, giving more flexibility.

Another common scenario to be aware of (which our candle company experienced first-hand) is that some LTL carriers use drop trailer service at Amazon warehouses. In these cases, tracking may show the shipment as “delivered,” even though the freight hasn’t yet been processed. This delay can be confusing if you’re expecting real-time inventory updates.

To avoid surprises, many businesses take time to learn which carriers provide the most consistent service in their shipping lanes—and use that knowledge to build reliable shipping strategies.

Why timing is everything when shipping to Amazon

A common challenge for small business shippers is delivery timing. Amazon’s warehouse appointments are based on availability, and there’s no guarantee of same- or next-day access. In many cases, expedited delivery isn’t possible, so shipments must be planned well in advance to maintain stock levels.

Amazon may reschedule truckload appointments during periods of high volume—without sending notifications. Warehouses located in major metropolitan areas or near ports often experience more variability and capacity constraints. Businesses shipping to these hubs tend to build in extra lead time to account for delays.

This is especially important for businesses just like the candle company, who need to be certain stock levels are sufficient to accommodate seasonal demand and promotional pushes. Planning for potential delivery delays is the key to ensuring products stay in stock and ready for customers.

Making Amazon FBA shipping easier for small businesses

While there are a few extra steps involved in shipping to Amazon FBA, small business shippers like the candle company and so many others, find the process becomes easier with experience and the right tools. With Freightquote by C.H. Robinson, you can access both LTL and truckload options, get instant online quotes with the lowest prices on shipping, all while ensuring your shipments meet Amazon’s delivery requirements.

Whether you're new to Amazon FBA or looking to refine your process, Freightquote makes it easy to ship with confidence—and get your products to your customers, exactly when they want them.