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Reliable and affordable shipping is a critical component of success on the Amazon marketplace. However, the dynamics of shipping products and managing deliveries can become a huge challenge for an Amazon seller.
Thankfully, the Amazon Partnered Carrier Program is that trusted companion that can help provide cost-effective and efficient shipping for your Amazon business.
Read on as we explore what the Amazon Partnered Carrier Program is, the shipping options available on the program, how it works and its benefits to sellers.
The Amazon Partnered Carrier Program (APCP) is a shipping service provided by Amazon that allows sellers to ship their inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers at discounted rates.
With this program, you can leverage discounted shipping rates from carriers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL, which are partners with Amazon.
Amazon Partnered Carrier Program is accessible to sellers in the United States and other countries where the program is available.
This program offers three main shipment options: Small Parcel Delivery (SPD), Less-than-Truckload (LTL), and Full-Truckload (FTL) services:
Small Parcel Delivery shipment involves packaging individual units in different shipping boxes labeled for delivery. This ensures that the shipment is prepared correctly for shipping.
This shipment is ideal for medium to small-scale Amazon sellers with shipments of less than 200 boxes. They are typically smaller in size and commonly dispatched through carriers like DHL, FedEx, UPS, and other local services.
Amazon estimates your shipping cost based on the shipment packing information and the billable weight, which could be either the dimensional weight or the shipment weight, whichever is greater.
Dimensional weight reflects package density based on the box dimensions, while shipment weight is the actual weight of your shipment based on the weight per box.
It is important to provide accurate and detailed information regarding the shipment, including the actual cost of its transportation. This will be billed to your bank account as a transportation charge.
Also, there is a minimum fee (1kg) for carrier shipments. For shipments that weigh less than 1 kg, the minimum fee still applies.
The Less-than-Truckload shipping option is recommended for shipments weighing more than 150 lbs but not more than 15,000 lbs. This option combines individual boxes onto pallets for efficient transportation.
It is designed for shipments that exceed the size or weight limits of Small Parcel Delivery but do not require a full truckload.
If you want to utilize the less-than-truckload shipment option, you need to:
This shipment option supports both small and large sellers and offers a cost-effective solution for transporting larger or heavier items to Amazon fulfillment centers.
Full-Truckload shipping is where a single shipment occupies an entire truck. This is particularly great if you are a large-scale seller or you have high-volume shipments that exceed the capacity of less-than-truckload services.
It is suitable for shipments that go over 15,000 lbs or occupy a substantial portion of a truck's space.
To use this shipment option, you must meet the same requirements as the LTL shipping option.
More than 20 carriers participate in the Amazon Partnered Carrier program for both FTL and LTL services, giving you the freedom to select the carrier that best meets your specific needs in terms of price and reliability.
The Amazon Partnered Carrier Program offers numerous benefits to FBA sellers including facilitating their shipping process and reducing costs.
Let's dive into some key benefits of the Amazon Partnered Carrier program:
To qualify for the Amazon Partnered Carrier Program, you must meet several criteria.
You must be an active seller enrolled in the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) program. This means you're currently selling products through Amazon and have them stored in Amazon's fulfillment centers.
Your shipments must originate from the United States or another country where the Amazon Partnered Carrier Program is available.
You'll also need to comply with Amazon's specific packaging and labeling standards for shipments. This includes using the correct box sizes, adhering to marking requirements, and ensuring that your shipments are properly labeled according to Amazon's guidelines.
To use the Amazon Partnered Carrier Program for your shipments, here is a simple step-by-step guide to follow:
First, start by logging into your Amazon Seller Central account
Once logged in, navigate to the "Inventory" section and select "FBA Shipments." Here, you will find options to view your existing shipment list or create a new one.
Choose an unsent package and click on "Prepare shipment." This initiates the process of setting up your shipment for dispatch.
Next, go to the "Delivery Service" section, and select "Amazon or partnered carrier" if you're doing Small Parcel Deliveries (SPD) or "Amazon Partnered Carrier" for Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) or Full-Truckload (FTL) shipments.
Next, include the necessary details for your shipment, including dimensions, weight, shipment method, address, and destination. These details are essential for calculating shipping costs and generating the appropriate shipping labels.
Click on "Calculate" to assess the shipping costs. After reviewing the estimated delivery charges, click "Accept charges" to proceed with the next steps.
Finally, send your shipments to Amazon’s fulfillment center. Ensure that all shipment information is accurate, including the tracking number, Amazon’s reference ID, carrier status, and warehouse address. Any inaccuracies could lead to noncompliance fees from Amazon.
Look through the Amazon Partnered Carrier list and contact your selected carrier to organize a pick-up. This is crucial for ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of your shipments to Amazon's fulfillment centers.
Before finalizing your shipment preparation, double-check that all shipment information is accurate. Verify the tracking number, carrier status, warehouse address, and Amazon’s reference ID, to avoid any potential issues during transit.
Lastly, use your tracking number from your partnered carrier to track the progress of your shipment.
You can cancel Small Parcel Delivery shipments within a 24-hour timeframe. On the other hand, you will need to cancel LTL and FTL shipments within 1 hour of approving the estimated fees.
So to cancel your shipment, go to the specific shipment in your Amazon seller account, select “Work on Shipment” click on “Provide Details” and then choose “Void charges”.
Keep in mind that canceling your shipment won't stop you from being charged some fees. To avoid incurring any fees, you want to carefully prepare your shipments, following all steps diligently.
So what is the difference between using Amazon Partnered carriers and non-Amazon-partnered carriers? We will look at several factors like cost, convenience, and delivery window policies as we examine both
Perhaps one of the most obvious differences between both Amazon-partnered carriers and non-Amazon-partnered carriers is the cost.
The Amazon Partnered Carrier Program offers juicy discounts on shipping rates compared to non-Amazon partnered carriers.
Due to Amazon's large shipping volume, it allows them to negotiate favorable rates with carriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
These discounted rates compared to other carriers in the market allow FBA sellers to save on shipping costs while still enjoying reliable and fast deliveries.
What's more, the program may waive certain fees, such as storage fees and liquidation fees for items new to FBA, further reducing costs.
Using Amazon's partnered carriers is more convenient as an FBA seller. The program streamlines your shipping process, integrating seamlessly with Amazon Seller Central. This integration simplifies tasks such as creating shipments, generating shipping labels, and tracking shipments directly from the platform. This seamless approach may not be available with non-Amazon partnered carriers.
The program also often guarantees faster delivery times to Amazon fulfillment centers, which is crucial for maintaining optimal inventory levels and meeting customer demand.
The delivery window policy within the Amazon Partnered Carrier Program is designed to ensure that your shipments to Amazon's fulfillment centers are delivered within a specific timeframe. This helps you to better plan and manage your inventory.
Also, by adhering to the delivery window policy, you can avoid delays or issues that might arise from late deliveries, ensuring a more efficient shipping process and satisfied customers.
No, you do not have to use an Amazon Partnered Carrier when creating a shipment on your Amazon Seller Central. However, most sellers prefer to use Amazon Partnered Carriers due to its numerous benefits. On your Amazon Seller Central account, you can choose non-Amazon Partnered Carriers and input your shipping details.
With the Amazon Partnered Carrier Program, you get a blend of convenience and efficiency when shipping inventory to Amazon fulfillment centers.
By leveraging this program, you can easily optimize your shipping processes, reduce costs, and ensure timely delivery of your products. This ultimately improves your overall profitability and customer satisfaction.
You’ve probably already considered selling on Amazon but its way easier than you think.
Call Us Now