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A Loading Guide for Container Deliveries to Amazon FBA

In this guide, you will find out the step-by-step process of how to prepare your full container load (FCL) and less-than-container load (LCL) packages and containers for an Amazon FBA deliveries.

How to prepare your ocean container

1. Work your products into cardboard boxes

2. Select your container

3. Decide between LCL and FCL loads

4. Choose your load type

Your Checklist Before Loading

1. Make sure your container have an internal height of at least 8' or 90" or 2.31m

2. Create shipment plans in Amazon's Seller Central

3. Print FBA shipment labels

4. Book the shipment with the carrier

5. Verify that the container floor is well-maintained, free from obstructions or damage, and safe for transportation. The floor must be able to endure the weight of a fully laden pallet jack.

*the use of containers with uneven or corrugated floors, like refrigerated containers, are not permitted due to safety concerns.

6. Follow the regulations prompted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding container axle weight and total gross weight restrictions.

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Unit Checklist

1. Sign in to Amazon’s Seller Central

2. Follow Amazon’s FBA packaging and prep requirements to prepare product units

- Print your Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN) barcode* labels from Seller Central.

* The barcode will start with B00 or X00 and will be unique to one specific product

Example: There is a different ASIN barcode for each product variation (color, size, etc.). You can also enter UPC barcodes if they correspond with the correct ASIN on Amazon.

- Make sure that your ASIN barcode is easily scannable, then attach it to the exterior of your product*

*Refer to ‘Label Products’ in Seller Central ‘Help’

- Include the expiration date of your product on each individual unit

- Include the expiration date of your product on each master carton which will be expiring with:

- Products will be destroyed if:

*The same ASIN within the same case or pallets must contain the same expiration date

*The master carton must have an expiration date as well

- Prepare and Label any products that require special packaging like:

Fluid Floor Loaded Shipment Preparation Checklist

1. You are to only send standard-sized (sortable) ASINs in fluid floor loaded shipments.

Do not allow individual unit sizes to exceed:

Place all individual units in boxes

All boxes shipped to a Sortable Fulfillment Center (standard size products) must not measure any more than 25’’ or 64cm on each side - Large or oversized products* can be placed in larger boxes

*If you have oversized product units (individual units over 20 lbs or 9kgs), prepare them on pallets or have them clamp truck enabled. *Check “FBA Product Size Tiers” information on Seller Central

2. Do not allow for your boxes to exceed 50lbs or 23kgs of sortable products in a fluid floor loaded shipment

How to load a Fluid Floor Loaded Shipment Container

Stack all boxes into columns. DO NOT bundle boxes together with straps, zip ties, tape, or other products.

How to Load a Clamp Truck Shipment Container

Q: What are clam truck shipments?

A: Clamp truck shipments are special floor loaded shipments received by Sortable FC’s (standard size products) and Non-Sortable FC’s (oversized products).

Checklist

1. Arrange each column to be uniform and aligned with the other tiers on the base of the column. This is to make sure that all four sides of the freight column stack can be safely squeezed by the clamp.

2. Make sure that columns are at least 24’’ or 61 cm wide and maximum 72’’ or 183 cm long.

3. Do not exceed the column maximum clamp weight of:

4. Allow at least 3’’ or 8 cm of clearance from the above the box to the container roof

5. Use air bags to allow at least 3’’ or 8 cm between container stacks and walls. This is to prevent the load from shifting or falling.

6. Leave at least 3’’ or 8 cm between each column of boxes*, and use airbags to maintain load stability during transport.

*DO NOT bundle boxes together with straps, zip ties, tape, or other products.

7. Allow for at least 8’’ or 21 cm of clearance from the last row of cartons to the container doors to engage a dock traveler

8. Use load bars and straps to properly secure all shipments

- It is part of the shipper’s and carrier’s responsibility to make sure that shipments are loaded into a trailer in a way that will prevent the load from shifting or breaking during transit

How to prepare for palletized shipments

1. Place FBA shipment labels on each carton

2. Use 40’’ x 48’’ OR 1.02 m x 1.22 m, 4-way access, wood pallets*

- If a single, large unit does not fit on a 40’’ x 48’’ pallet without hanging over the edges, use a pallet type and size more suitable for that unit

3. Whenever quantities allow for it, stack only one ASIN per pallet- label these as “Single ASIN Pallet”

4. Only use pallets that are compliant with GMA Grade B or higher, and are made of only wood materials*

*Ship grocery or food products on GMA 1A grade pallets

5. Stretch-wrap all pallets with clear plastic. DO BOT wrap it in opaque or black stretch-wrap.

6. Do not exceed the pallet size:

7. To protect and maintain the stability of pallets while in transit, use corner boards

8. Only use double-stacked pallets when they are safe* to load or unload and will not cause damage for the products while in transit

*It is considered safe to double stack pallets when the height does not exceed a maximum of 100’’ or 2.54 m.

9. Make sure that the maximum gross weight of each box does not exceed 50 lbs or 23 kgs unless a single unit weighs more than that

10. Heavy units between 50 lbs (23 kgs) and 100 lbs (45 kgs) must be clearly labeled as “Team Lift” on all cartons.

11. Clearly label heavy lifts above 100 lbs (45 kgs) as “Mech Lift.”

How to load the container for palletized shipments

1. Allow at least 6’’ or 15 cm of clearance from the top of the pallet to the container roof.

2. Use air bags, non-metal straps, or a safety net to allow stability during transport.

3. Allow at least 3’’ or 8 cm between container stacks and walls, while in transit.

4. Stack all cartons evenly and do not allow boxes to overhang from the pallet

5. Allow at least 8’’ or 21 cm of clearance from the last row of cartons to container doors to engage a dock leveler.

How to Avoid Common Mistakes

1. Attach special labels to heavy products over 50 lbs or 23 kgs

2. Attach warning labels on specialty products

3. Do not prepare fluid floor loaded shipments with cartons that weigh over 50 lbs or 23 kgs

- Oversized units and cartons have to be palletized unless the load is clampable

4. Adequately stack pallets, allowing enough space for unloading.

5. Stack clampable shipments with at least 3’’ or 8 cm of space from the load to the roof of the container.

6. Always secure the load with air bags, non-metal straps, or safety nets to avoid the shifting of the contents during transit, which can cause damage to the products.

- Please note: Containers that do not comply with the aforementioned protocol and Amazon FBA requirements, may be rejected. In that case, you will be responsible for additional storage, re-work, and re-delivery charges.

Required Information for Quoting