FBA Inbound Carrier Selection - Guideline

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): FBA Inbound Carrier Selection

Purpose

This document provides clear guidelines for 3PLs and FBA Prep Centers to handle Amazon’s updated FBA inbound shipment rules effectively. Following these rules will help ensure your shipments are compliant and avoid errors or delays.

Key Rules to Follow

1. Handling Hazmat Shipments

• Important: Hazmat items are not eligible for Partnered Carrier (PCP) shipments.

• Actions Required:

  1. Identify if any item in the shipment is categorized as hazmat.

  2. Ensure all shipments containing hazmat items are marked as Non-Partnered (Non-PCP).

  3. Do not attempt to use Partnered Carrier options for hazmat shipments.

2. Mixing Partnered and Non-Partnered Shipments

• Allowable Combinations:

  • Partnered SPD + Non-Partnered LTL

  • Partnered LTL + Non-Partnered SPD

• Restricted Combinations:

  • Partnered SPD + Non-Partnered SPD

  • Partnered LTL + Non-Partnered LTL

• Customer Action:

  • Ensure Partnered and Non-Partnered shipments are kept in separate shipping modes.

3. PCP Eligibility for Non-Hazmat Shipments

• Steps to Follow:

  1. Confirm that shipments meet Amazon’s criteria for Partnered Carrier eligibility.

  2. If in doubt, check with Amazon’s guidelines or your assigned account manager for clarity.

  3. Use Non-Partnered carriers for shipments that do not meet PCP eligibility.

Examples of Shipping Combinations

Best Practices

1. Plan Your Shipments: Categorize your items as hazmat or non-hazmat before creating an inbound plan.

2. Check Shipping Modes: Ensure Partnered and Non-Partnered shipments are assigned to different shipping modes to comply with Amazon’s rules.

3. Document Eligibility: Keep a record of shipment eligibility for Partnered carriers to avoid confusion.

4. Double-Check Configurations: Review your inbound plans carefully before finalizing to ensure compliance with the rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if my shipment contains both hazmat and non-hazmat items?

A: Segregate the hazmat items into a separate shipment and mark it as Non-Partnered. Handle non-hazmat items according to their PCP eligibility.

Q: Can I mix Partnered and Non-Partnered shipments in the same inbound plan?

A: Yes, but only if they belong to different shipping modes, such as Partnered SPD + Non-Partnered LTL. Same-mode combinations are not allowed.

Q: How do I know if my shipment is eligible for Partnered Carrier?

A: Refer to Amazon’s eligibility guidelines or consult your account manager for clarity.