How to Ship a Full Truckload to Amazon Australia

One Amazon FBA seller planned a 26-pallet delivery, only for Amazon’s system to reconfigure it to nearly 40 pallets at the last minute. The result: only around 60% of a truck could be shipped. Others report repeated pickup deferrals, missed appointments, or full truckloads sitting unaccounted for weeks.

For sellers shipping full truckloads into Amazon, this type of disruption is increasingly common. Loads are delayed, split, or refused when appointment windows are missed, pallet counts change, or the truck arriving doesn’t meet Amazon’s delivery requirements.

This guide is for sellers moving high-volume, palletised or full-truckload (FTL) freight into Amazon fulfilment centres across Australia. It explains the end-to-end process, the rules Amazon enforces, and the most common reasons truckloads are delayed or refused, so you can plan shipments correctly and avoid unnecessary costs.

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Quick Summary: Shipping a Full Truckload to Amazon Australia

• Book your delivery appointment at least 24 hours in advance. Amazon requires all Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and Full-Truckload (FTL) deliveries to be scheduled through Carrier Central. Late bookings or missed appointment windows often result in refused loads or rescheduling fees.
• Use a professional, Amazon-registered carrier. Only registered carriers can book appointments and deliver to Amazon fulfilment centres. Using an unregistered or unsuitable carrier can prevent your shipment from being received.
• Ensure the truck meets Amazon’s vehicle requirements. Amazon does not accept B-doubles or trucks fitted with hydraulic tailgates. Rear-unload trailers must meet height and floor standards so pallets can be unloaded safely.
• Prepare accurate documentation before booking. Your Bill of Lading (BOL) must include all Amazon Reference IDs and Shipment IDs. Missing or incorrect paperwork is a common cause of unloading delays and refusals.
• Confirm pallet, box, and unit counts upfront. Amazon requires these counts before approving an appointment. Mismatches between declared and actual counts can delay receiving or trigger rebooking.
• Arrive on time with a compliant load. Trucks arriving outside the scheduled window, even by minutes, may be refused. On-time arrival with compliant pallets and documentation is critical for successful delivery.

Partnering with Couriers & Freight ensures each step is handled correctly to reduce delays, refusals, and extra costs.

Book a Full Truckload Delivery to Amazon

Move palletised freight to Amazon fulfilment centres in Australia using compliant full truckload transport with Couriers & Freight.

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What Counts as a Full Truckload for Amazon Australia

A full truckload (FTL) shipment to Amazon Australia is defined by pallet volume and trailer use, not weight alone. In most cases, an FTL delivery involves a dedicated trailer carrying around 22 to 34 pallets, depending on the trailer configuration. All inventory in the load belongs to a single seller and is delivered directly to one Amazon fulfilment centre.

This is different from less-than-truckload (LTL) freight, where pallets from multiple sellers share the same trailer. Amazon treats LTL and FTL deliveries differently because full truckloads require longer unloading times, stricter scheduling, and greater dock coordination at the fulfilment centre.

FTL shipments to Amazon Australia are domestic and pallet-based. They do not include international freight, carton-only deliveries, or small-parcel shipments, all of which follow separate inbound processes. Standard four-way wooden pallets are expected, and pallet build quality matters because Amazon unloads these shipments using forklifts and pallet jacks.

Sellers moving from LTL to full truckloads often encounter new challenges. Shared trucks are no longer an option, vehicle specifications become critical, and appointment timing leaves little room for error. Understanding what Amazon considers a full truckload and planning accordingly is essential to avoid delivery delays, rejected loads, or unnecessary rebooking costs.

Amazon’s Official Requirements for LTL and FTL Deliveries

Amazon enforces strict requirements for all LTL and full-truckload (FTL) deliveries to its Australian fulfilment centres. These rules exist to control dock congestion, protect staff safety, and ensure inventory is received accurately. When a shipment does not meet these standards, Amazon may delay unloading or refuse the load entirely.

Appointment & Booking Requirements

All LTL and FTL deliveries must be scheduled in advance so Amazon can manage receiving capacity. Carriers are required to book delivery appointments through Carrier Central at least 24 hours before arrival, and only professional, registered carriers are permitted to do so.

Before an appointment is approved, the carrier must submit accurate pallet, box, and unit counts for the shipment. If a truck arrives 15 minutes or more outside the scheduled window, Amazon may refuse the delivery and require the load to be rescheduled.

Documentation Requirements

Amazon relies on delivery paperwork to verify shipments before unloading begins. Every load must be accompanied by a valid Bill of Lading (BOL) that clearly lists all Amazon Reference IDs and Shipment IDs.

The BOL can be provided as a physical document or as a pre-submitted electronic copy, but it must be accessible at the time of delivery. Missing or incorrect documentation is a common cause of unloading delays and load refusals.

Vehicle Requirements

Amazon applies strict vehicle specifications to ensure safe and efficient unloading at the dock. Rear-unload trailers must have a dock height between 1,100 mm and 1,550 mm. B-doubles and hydraulic tailgate trucks are not accepted for Amazon pallet deliveries.

Trailer floors must be solid, level, and suitable for pallet jacks and forklifts. Corrugated, damaged, uneven, or contaminated floors can result in immediate refusal, regardless of the shipment’s contents.

Palletisation & Load Type

Amazon prefers palletised freight for both LTL and FTL deliveries. Pallets must be stable, accessible on all sides, and suitable for mechanical unloading.

If a shipment is floor-loaded, the carrier must declare it as Non-palletised at the time of booking and confirm that the receiving fulfilment centre accepts floor-loaded freight. Undeclared floor-loaded shipments are frequently refused on arrival.

Safety Standards

All drivers and delivery personnel entering Amazon facilities must comply with basic safety requirements. This includes wearing high-visibility clothing, enclosed footwear, and following site-specific Work Health and Safety (WHS) protocols. Failure to meet these standards can delay unloading or prevent site access.

Step-by-Step: How to Ship a Full Truckload to Amazon Australia

This process applies to domestic LTL and full-truckload (FTL) deliveries into Amazon Australia fulfilment centres. Each step must be completed correctly to avoid refusals, rebooking delays, or added freight costs.

1. Confirm your Shipment Qualifies as LTL or FTL

Before booking, confirm that your freight is pallet-based and moving as a single-seller load. Amazon treats LTL and full truckloads differently at the dock, and selecting the wrong delivery type can lead to appointment issues or unloading delays.

2. Select an Amazon-Compliant Truck

The trailer must meet Amazon’s delivery requirements. Rear-unload trailers are required, with the correct bed height and a solid, level floor. Trucks fitted with hydraulic tailgates or B-double configurations are not accepted and may be refused on arrival.

3. Prepare Pallets or Declare Floor-Loaded Freight

Amazon expects stable, palletised freight built on standard four-way wooden pallets. If the shipment is floor-loaded, it must be declared as Non-palletised at the time of booking and accepted by the receiving fulfilment centre. Undeclared floor-loaded shipments are commonly turned away.

4. Prepare the Bill of Lading With All Required IDs

Your Bill of Lading (BOL) must include all Amazon Reference IDs and Shipment IDs linked to the load. Incomplete or inaccurate paperwork often prevents Amazon from verifying the shipment, delaying unloading or triggering refusal.

5. Submit Pallet, Box, and Unit Counts Before Booking

Amazon requires accurate counts before approving a delivery appointment. Differences between declared and actual quantities can cause appointment rejection or receiving delays at the fulfilment centre.

6. Book the Delivery Appointment at least 24 Hours in Advance

The carrier must book the appointment through Carrier Central. Only registered carriers can do this. Deliveries arriving outside the scheduled window, even by a short margin, risk being refused and rescheduled.

7. Follow Delivery-Day Protocols

On delivery day, the driver must arrive on time, wear appropriate safety gear, and present the correct documentation. Pallets must match the declared load and be suitable for forklift unloading. Failure at this stage often results in refusal and re-delivery costs.

Costs: What Determines Full Truckload Pricing to Amazon FCs

Shipping a full truckload to an Amazon fulfilment centre involves predictable cost drivers. While rates vary by lane and carrier, most FTL pricing is influenced by how the load is built, how far it travels, and whether the delivery meets Amazon’s requirements on the first attempt.

Key factors that affect FTL pricing include:

• Distance and delivery lane. Longer interstate routes increase fuel use, driver hours, and toll charges. Metro-to-metro deliveries are typically lower cost than regional or cross-country lanes.
• Pallet count and load configuration. Heavier or tightly packed pallet loads take longer to unload and may attract higher handling charges. Floor-loaded freight can also increase unloading time and cost.
• Truck type and compliance. Amazon-compliant trailers often cost more than standard trucks. Using a non-compliant vehicle risks immediate refusal, which can trigger rebooking fees and additional linehaul charges.
• Fuel surcharges. Most Australian freight carriers apply variable fuel levies. Changes in diesel prices can affect FTL rates, particularly on long-haul routes.
• Missed appointments and re-deliveries. If a truck arrives late, at the wrong fulfilment centre, or with incorrect documentation, carriers typically charge for re-delivery, waiting time, or temporary storage.

When Amazon requirements are not met, costs escalate quickly. Accurate counts, correct paperwork, and compliant vehicles help keep full truckload pricing predictable and prevent avoidable charges.

Ship Your LTL/FTL Deliveries to Amazon Warehouses with Couriers & Freight

Shipping a full truckload to Amazon Australia leaves little room for error. Missed appointment windows, non-compliant vehicles, or incorrect paperwork can quickly lead to refused deliveries, rebookings, and delayed inventory reaching Amazon fulfilment centres.

Couriers & Freight supports Amazon sellers by coordinating compliant LTL and full truckload deliveries, managing appointment scheduling, and checking documentation and pallet details before dispatch. If you’re moving high-volume inventory, comparing LTL and FTL options early helps avoid delays and extra charges. 

Get a truckload quote with Couriers & Freight to plan your next Amazon delivery more accurately.

Book a Full Truckload Delivery to Amazon

Move palletised freight to Amazon fulfilment centres in Australia using compliant full truckload transport with Couriers & Freight.

Get a Quote Now