How Does Shipping with Amazon (SWA) Work for Sellers in Australia

Amazon’s Ship with Amazon (SWA) program is now widely used by Australian sellers moving stock into Amazon fulfilment centres, yet many still find the process and requirements unclear. In 2024, Amazon Australia generated $1.936 billion in online-store revenue, a 23.5% increase that has pushed more sellers onto FBA and raised pressure on inbound freight networks. 

This guide explains how SWA works, the steps involved, and when sellers may need external freight or third-party logistics (3PL) support for larger or time-sensitive loads.

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How SWA Works for Australian Sellers

Here’s a clear overview of how shipping with Amazon SWA works for Australian sellers:

• SWA is Amazon’s freight program for sending eligible stock to Amazon fulfilment centres within Australia.
• Sellers create a shipment plan in Seller Central and select SWA for Amazon-arranged pickup and carrier allocation.
• SWA suits standard carton and pallet shipments but has limits around vehicle access, delivery windows and regional coverage.
• It offers built-in FBA compliance and tracking, but no carrier choice or custom delivery timing.
• Sellers handling bulk freight or multi-channel inventory often pair SWA with external freight or 3PL services for flexibility.

Explore how Couriers & Freight can support Amazon sellers managing bulk shipments or multi-channel fulfilment.

What Is Ship with Amazon (SWA)?

Ship with Amazon (SWA) is Amazon’s in-house freight program for moving eligible FBA inventory from Australian sellers to Amazon fulfilment centres. It’s available to registered sellers who create shipment plans in Seller Central and choose SWA as their delivery method.

Instead of booking a carrier directly, Amazon assigns the transport partner and schedules the delivery window. For example, a seller based in Brisbane sending a pallet to the Moorebank fulfilment centre in Sydney would have the pickup and delivery timing arranged through Amazon’s system.

SWA works best for standard carton and pallet shipments. It’s less suitable for oversized, urgent or high-volume freight, as delivery windows, vehicle access and regional coverage can be limited.

How Shipping with Amazon (SWA) Works

SWA follows a structured process inside Seller Central, and understanding each step helps sellers plan deliveries and avoid inbound delays at Amazon’s fulfilment centres.

1. Create a shipment plan in Seller Central

Log in to Seller Central and specify which products are being sent, the quantity of each SKU, and the destination fulfilment centre. The plan must follow Amazon’s carton and pallet requirements, including weight limits and labelling rules.

2. Selects Ship with Amazon as the delivery option

During the shipment workflow, choose SWA as the transport method. Amazon assigns the carrier and provides available delivery windows based on warehouse capacity and vehicle access.

3. Prints labels and prepares cartons or pallets

Generate Amazon-approved labels and prepare the shipment according to inbound standards. This includes secure pallet stacking, correct label placement and complying with any site restrictions, such as no B-doubles at certain fulfilment centres.

4. Amazon books the pickup or allocates a partner carrier

Amazon coordinates the pickup and delivery slot with its transport partner. Lead times can be longer in regional areas, and some fulfilment centres have strict vehicle and dock-access restrictions that affect pickup scheduling.

5. Track the shipment through Seller Central

Once collected, the shipment can be monitored via the Track Shipment view, including carrier updates, exceptions and expected arrival times. These steps help sellers maintain compliance and plan stock levels while shipments move through Amazon’s inbound network.

Pros and Cons of Using SWA

Below is a quick comparison of the pros and cons of using SWA for your Amazon shipments.

When to Use a 3PL or Multi-Carrier Platform Instead

Certain shipment types fall outside SWA’s delivery model, particularly when sellers handle larger freight volumes, operate across multiple sales channels, or serve regional customers.

You may need a 3PL or multi-carrier platform when:

• You’re sending bulk or high-volume freight. Large pallet loads often need specific vehicle types, such as tail-lift trucks or A/B configurations, which SWA may not offer consistently across fulfilment centres.
• You sell across multiple channels. A 3PL can manage inventory for Amazon, Shopify and direct-to-consumer orders from one location, avoiding separate packing and dispatch workflows.
• You need regional or time-specific delivery. Businesses with regional customers, narrow booking windows or urgent freight requirements often need more control than SWA’s fixed carrier allocation provides.

For example, a retailer in Melbourne sending weekly pallets to Amazon’s Sydney fulfilment centre may use SWA for routine loads but rely on external freight for urgent shipments or deliveries requiring vehicle access not supported by Amazon’s network.

How Couriers & Freight Supports Amazon Sellers

Couriers & Freight helps Amazon sellers manage freight into fulfilment centres and coordinate stock across multiple sales channels, particularly when shipments fall outside what SWA can handle.

Bulk Freight to Amazon Warehouses

Couriers & Freight supports large or palletised shipments destined for Amazon fulfilment centres by managing practical requirements such as pallet preparation, cross-docking, warehouse staging and vehicle access. The team also coordinates booking times and delivery windows so sellers can move bulk freight into Amazon’s network without navigating site restrictions alone.

This approach works alongside SWA, giving sellers additional transport capacity for oversized, urgent or high-volume loads.

3PL Support for Multi-Channel Sellers

For sellers operating across Amazon, Shopify, eBay, or other channels, Couriers & Freight provides 3PL services that centralise inventory, streamline packing, and manage national distribution. Sellers can compare carrier options, manage Amazon replenishment and fulfil direct-to-consumer orders from one location.

Sellers can compare rates or request a quote through Couriers & Freight’s platform to manage all Amazon and multi-channel freight in one place. 

Get a quote now to see how Couriers & Freight can support your Amazon business.

Send Bulk Freight to Amazon

Avoid delays and meet Amazon’s delivery requirements with expert pallet and linehaul support.

Get a Quote Now