The expensive LTL problems usually start before pickup: a pallet gets measured after the paperwork is finished, a label is hidden under stretch wrap, or a carrier reaches the fulfillment center without a valid appointment. Treat the pallet, BOL, labels, and booking as one release packet.
TL;DR:
- Use a 40 by 48 inch four-way wooden pallet and keep a standard partnered-carrier pallet at or below 72 inches and 1,500 pounds gross.
- Match pallet count, piece count, finished weight and dimensions, freight class, and Amazon shipment references on the BOL.
- Place FBA pallet labels on all four sides outside the stretch wrap; keep box labels facing outward.
- Partnered shipments schedule inside Amazon's workflow; independent carriers normally use Carrier Central and must arrive in the confirmed window.
Build the pallet to Amazon's receiving rules
Amazon's seller requirements for LTL, FTL, and FCL deliveries call for 40 by 48 inch, four-way-access wooden pallets. Use sound boards, keep cartons inside the pallet footprint, distribute weight evenly, and place heavier cartons at the bottom.
Total pallet weight must not exceed 1,500 pounds, including the pallet itself. For an Amazon partnered carrier, a single pallet must not exceed 72 inches in height. Amazon documents a narrow exception up to 98 inches for a single clampable unit under its floor-loading rules, so do not treat 98 inches as a general pallet allowance.
- Measure and weigh after wrapping, corner boards, and labels are installed.
- Reject cracked boards, protruding nails, leaning stacks, and carton overhang before pickup.
- Keep every pallet tied to one shipment ID unless Amazon's workflow explicitly directs otherwise.
- Confirm destination-specific instructions in Seller Central because a shipment plan can add requirements.
Match these five BOL details to the finished freight
A bill of lading is not a draft packing estimate. Complete it from the built shipment and compare it with the carrier booking and Amazon shipment plan.
| BOL detail | What to match | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Pallet and piece count | Physical pallets, cartons, and handling units | Receiving and carrier records must describe the same load |
| 2. Gross weight | Finished pallet weight including pallet and packaging | Carriers may reweigh freight and adjust charges |
| 3. Dimensions | Final length, width, and height of every pallet | Dimensions affect compliance, density, and trailer planning |
| 4. Freight class | Class supported by density, handling, stowability, and liability | An unsupported class can trigger a re-rate or dispute |
| 5. Shipment references | FBA Shipment ID, Amazon reference ID, PRO or tracking number, origin, and destination | The dock must connect the truck, appointment, and shipment plan |
Keep shipper and consignee names, the exact fulfillment-center address, and the pickup contact consistent across the BOL, packing list, and booking. For an international shipment, carry the same shipment references and piece counts into the commercial invoice and customs packet.
Use pallet labels and box labels for different jobs
Every box needs its own FBA box ID label. Build the pallet with those labels facing outward so the receiving team can scan cartons without breaking down the load. After wrapping, place the FBA pallet labels on all four sides outside the stretch wrap.
Do not cover a pallet label with another sticker or place it beneath reflective plastic. Print a fresh label when a barcode is smeared, folded around a corner, or too faint to scan. A hard copy of the BOL in a document pouch gives the driver a physical backup, but it does not replace any required Amazon label.
Confirm how the delivery appointment is booked
Amazon's Partner Carrier Program integrates carrier selection and tracking into the inbound workflow. For a nonpartner carrier, the carrier normally needs a Carrier Central account and must request the fulfillment-center delivery appointment.
Give the carrier the Amazon reference IDs, BOL, PRO number, pallet and carton counts, unit count, trailer information, and destination shown by the shipment plan. Do not dispatch the final-mile truck on a requested slot alone: the driver needs the confirmed appointment and must arrive inside that window.
Use the detailed Carrier Central appointment playbook to reconcile the booking, PRO number, and Amazon references before final delivery.
Declare pickup constraints and accessorials before dispatch
Tell the carrier about site constraints when requesting the quote, then repeat them on the booking and BOL. Undeclared requirements cause failed pickups and surprise charges.
- Request lift-gate service when the pickup location lacks a dock or forklift.
- Identify a residential or limited-access location before the rate is confirmed.
- Confirm the pickup site can accommodate the planned trailer size and turning radius.
- Give the driver a reachable contact, pickup hours, BOL, and appointment evidence.
- Confirm whether inside pickup, pallet jack service, or special handling is required.
Secure the load for repeated LTL handling
LTL freight may move through more than one terminal, so build for repeated forklift handling rather than a single direct truck ride. NMFTA packaging guidance recommends anchoring stretch wrap at the base and overlapping successive passes.
- Wrap from the base upward with consistent overlap and anchor the film to the pallet.
- Add corner boards and strapping where carton weight or shape needs more restraint.
- Keep labels visible after wrapping and avoid straps across barcodes.
- Reweigh and remeasure the finished pallet, then update the BOL if anything changed.
Run one final release checklist before pickup
- Inspect the pallet, stack, wrap, corner boards, and overhang.
- Confirm final dimensions and gross weight are within the applicable shipment rules.
- Compare the five BOL details with the physical load and Amazon shipment plan.
- Verify every box ID label is scannable and pallet labels are on all four sides.
- Confirm the carrier, PRO number, appointment, and fulfillment-center address.
- Confirm lift-gate, limited-access, and other accessorial needs are declared.
- Give the driver the BOL and appointment information before the truck leaves.
If the domestic LTL leg follows an international move, rebuild and remeasure pallets after customs inspection. A pallet opened for inspection may need new wrap, new edge protection, and a revised final weight before the LTL carrier takes possession.
FAQ
What is the maximum weight for an FBA LTL pallet?
Amazon's seller requirements cap total pallet weight at 1,500 pounds, including the pallet. Weigh the finished, wrapped pallet instead of adding estimated product weights.
What is the maximum height for an FBA LTL pallet?
For Amazon partnered-carrier shipments, use 72 inches as the maximum single-pallet height. Amazon documents a limited 98-inch exception for a single clampable unit, but that is not a general allowance for ordinary stacked cartons.
Which labels go on all four sides?
FBA pallet labels go on all four sides outside the stretch wrap. Each carton also needs its own FBA box ID label, and those carton labels should face outward when the pallet is built.
Who books the Amazon delivery appointment?
Partnered shipments use Amazon's integrated carrier workflow. For a nonpartner LTL or FTL carrier, the carrier normally registers and requests the delivery appointment through Carrier Central using the Amazon shipment references.
What paperwork problems put an FBA LTL delivery at risk?
Common risks include a BOL that does not match pallet count, weight, dimensions, freight class, or Amazon shipment references; missing or hidden labels; and a driver arriving without the confirmed appointment information.
Coordinate the pallet, paperwork, and appointment
ForwarderOne coordinates international freight, customs documentation, domestic LTL, and final delivery to Amazon fulfillment centers.