Courier, LTL, FTL, and cross-border guide
How to ship inventory to Amazon.ca FBA
Choose the right parcel or freight lane, prepare every unit, box, and pallet for FBA, and complete Canadian customs accounting before delivery to the fulfillment centre.
Create the FBA shipment before buying transportation. The Send to Amazon workflow supplies the assigned fulfillment centre, shipment IDs, box labels, pallet labels, and carrier information that must match the physical freight. Do not route inventory to a warehouse address copied from an older shipment.
Choose the lane
Start with destination, origin, and shipping mode.
Amazon’s discounted inbound rates are domestic program options, not a substitute for international transportation or customs clearance. Use the exact ship-from address and compare the option Seller Central displays with an outside quote.
Packages and courier
For a shipment that starts inside Canada, first compare the Amazon Partnered Carrier rate shown in Send to Amazon. UPS is commonly offered for eligible small-parcel shipments, but availability and the displayed price can vary by ship-from address, inventory, and current program conditions.
Packages and courier
For a shipment entering Canada, arrange an international service with a carrier such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, or another qualified provider. FreightXO can assist with providing rates.
LTL and FTL freight
For freight that starts inside Canada, use an LTL or FTL carrier that can meet Amazon’s current routing, labeling, BOL, tracking, vehicle, and appointment requirements. If Seller Central offers an Amazon partnered option, compare it with your own carrier quote.
LTL and FTL freight
For freight entering Canada, use an LTL or FTL carrier with cross-border FBA experience that can meet Amazon’s current routing, labeling, BOL, tracking, vehicle, and appointment requirements. Set up the Canadian importer and customs broker before pickup.
Label the inventory first
Does every product need an FNSKU?
Every sellable unit needs the barcode Amazon assigns or permits for that SKU. FNSKU is an Amazon barcode, but it is not the only permitted barcode in every situation.
Use an Amazon barcode (FNSKU) when required
- Reseller inventory shipped on or after March 31, 2026 generally requires an Amazon barcode, even when the product has a manufacturer barcode.
- Products without a scannable manufacturer barcode require an Amazon barcode.
- Some product categories, conditions, restricted goods, dangerous goods, consumables, and topical products require Amazon barcodes.
- Cover other scannable product barcodes when the FNSKU is the tracking barcode.
A manufacturer barcode may be allowed
- An eligible brand owner with the Brand Representative role in Amazon Brand Registry may use a UPC, EAN, ISBN, or other accepted manufacturer barcode for eligible inventory.
- The barcode choice shown for the SKU in Seller Central controls.
- Do not switch barcode types on existing inventory without following Amazon’s conversion instructions.
- Keep the permitted barcode flat, visible, readable, and outside any final prep material.
Packages and courier
Prepare a small-parcel FBA shipment in six steps.
Create the shipment in Seller Central
Use Send to Amazon, enter the true ship-from address, select the SKUs and quantities, provide box content information, and accept the assigned fulfillment-centre destinations. Do not combine cartons assigned to different destinations under one carrier label.
Prep and label each sellable unit
Follow the SKU’s packaging and prep category. Apply the permitted manufacturer barcode or Amazon barcode to the final sellable unit, outside bubble wrap, poly bags, or other prep. Sets must be secured and identified so Amazon does not separate them.
Pack and confirm every shipping box
Use rigid six-sided cartons, protect the contents, stay within the current box limits shown by Amazon, and enter accurate dimensions, weight, and box contents. Remove or permanently cover old routing and shipping barcodes.
Choose the carrier
For a domestic shipment, compare the partnered rate offered in Seller Central with your own account. For a cross-border shipment from the United States or another country, obtain an international quote with a carrier such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, or another qualified provider. FreightXO can assist with providing rates.
Apply both outer-box labels
Each carton needs its unique FBA box ID label plus the carrier shipping label. Place both on a flat face, away from seams, edges, and corners. Keep every barcode uncovered and scannable. Never photocopy or reuse an FBA box ID label.
Add customs documents when crossing the border
Transmit the commercial invoice and other entry data electronically when the carrier supports it. If paper copies are required, follow the carrier’s instructions and use a clearly marked document pouch on the designated lead package. Do not place paperwork over an FBA or carrier barcode.
Cross-border inventory
Clear the goods before the carrier attempts delivery.
Set up the importer and broker
The seller, owner, or another eligible appointed party must handle Canadian import accounting. A non-resident seller may need a Canadian business number with an import-export program account, CARM registration, a customs broker authorization, and arrangements for records and duties. Amazon will not accept duty, tax, brokerage, or freight charges billed to the fulfillment centre.
Prepare the commercial invoice
Include the seller, purchaser or owner, importer, deliver-to facility, actual manufacturer when required, detailed product description, quantities, unit and total customs values, currency, country of origin, tariff classification, reason for export, and applicable freight or insurance information. Product-specific permits or agency data may also be required.
LTL and FTL freight
Build the freight file before FreightXO books the carrier.
The seller prepares the FBA shipment and supplies the identifiers. FreightXO can then quote and coordinate a qualified carrier, but the physical freight and booking data must match Seller Central.
Create and finalize the FBA shipment
Complete Send to Amazon for the exact units, boxes, ship-from location, mode, and assigned fulfillment centres. Print the unique box and pallet labels only after the carton and pallet plan is accurate.
Prepare units and master cartons
Apply the permitted product barcode to each sellable unit. Apply one unique FBA box ID label to every master carton. Face those labels outward when stacking so Amazon can scan cartons without dismantling the pallet.
Build compliant pallets
Use sound 40 by 48 inch, four-way-access wooden pallets unless a qualifying oversized unit requires another size. Keep cartons stable and flush, avoid overhang, use clear stretch wrap, and follow any category-specific pallet grade. Amazon states a 1,500 lb maximum per pallet and generally a 72 inch maximum height, including the pallet, with limited exceptions for qualifying oversized clampable units. Review Amazon’s public pallet and freight requirements summary, then confirm the active shipment instructions in authenticated Seller Central. Seller Central remains authoritative for shipment-specific limits.
Apply four pallet ID labels
Place one unique FBA pallet ID label at the top centre of each of the four sides, outside the stretch wrap. Do not use one carton label as the pallet label and do not photocopy labels between pallets.
Obtain a quote, process the shipment, and generate the BOL
Provide FreightXO with the origin, assigned Amazon fulfillment-centre address, FBA Shipment ID, every Amazon Reference ID, pallet and carton counts, dimensions, weights, commodity, freight class or density data, declared value, ready date, hours, pickup requirements, and cross-border customs status. Confirm the carrier, service, accessorial assumptions, customs handoff, and appointment capability. After approval, process the shipment and generate the BOL with all Amazon shipment and reference IDs, the seller legal name, origin, destination, carrier and SCAC, PRO number, handling-unit counts, and trailer or seal details when applicable. Include the Seller Central BOL when an Amazon partnered freight workflow provides one.
The carrier requests the appointment
For a prepaid non-partnered LTL or FTL shipment, the carrier signs in to Carrier Central and requests an advance delivery appointment using the Amazon Reference IDs, Shipment IDs, PRO or tracking number, BOL, box count, unit count, freight type, load type, trailer information, and requested delivery date. The confirmed appointment, not a preferred date on the quote, controls delivery.
Track clearance, appointment, and receiving
Do not dispatch cross-border freight until the broker has the complete entry file. Monitor customs release, appointment confirmation, carrier arrival, proof of delivery, and Seller Central receiving. Keep the signed BOL, PRO, customs entry, invoice, packing details, pallet photos, and labels for reconciliation.
Three label levels
Do not confuse the unit, box, and pallet barcodes.
Sellable unit
The FNSKU or permitted manufacturer barcode that identifies the SKU Amazon will receive and sell.
Shipping box
One unique FBA box ID label on every carton, plus the carrier label for small parcel. Old external barcodes must be removed or covered.
Freight pallet
Four copies of that pallet’s FBA pallet ID label, one at the top centre of each side outside the stretch wrap.
Before pickup
Use this final FBA handoff checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers for Amazon.ca inbound shipping.
Should I use Amazon’s UPS rate for a domestic parcel?
Compare it first when Seller Central offers it. The partnered rate can be convenient because the carrier and labels are integrated into Send to Amazon, but eligibility, availability, and price can change. Use the true ship-from address and confirm pickup or drop-off separately.
Can I use the Amazon domestic UPS rate for a cross-border parcel?
Do not assume so. Amazon’s partnered inbound program is a domestic solution where offered. A shipment that crosses a customs border needs an international carrier service, importer setup, customs clearance, and charges arranged outside the fulfillment centre.
Does every item need an FNSKU label?
No. Resellers generally need Amazon barcodes for inventory shipped on or after March 31, 2026. Eligible brand owners with the Brand Representative role in Amazon Brand Registry may use manufacturer barcodes on eligible products. Seller Central’s barcode requirement for the specific SKU controls.
Can Amazon be the importer of record?
No. Amazon states that it and its fulfillment centres will not act as importer of record for FBA inventory. The seller or another eligible appointed party must make the import arrangements and pay all duties, taxes, brokerage, and related charges.
Should customs value be my Amazon selling price or my cost?
Neither is automatically correct. CBSA applies six valuation methods in sequence. Transaction value is used only when its legal conditions are met, and consignment inventory may require another method. Ask the customs broker to document the method for the actual transaction.
What is the difference between an Amazon partnered carrier and an independently arranged FBA-capable carrier?
An Amazon partnered carrier is selected and priced within Send to Amazon, with the shipment workflow and transportation charges handled through Amazon. An independently arranged carrier is quoted separately and must meet Amazon’s current routing, vehicle, BOL, tracking, appointment, and delivery requirements for that specific shipment. The term approved carrier should not imply universal or permanent eligibility.
Who books the Amazon delivery appointment?
For a prepaid non-partnered LTL or FTL shipment, the delivering carrier normally requests the appointment through Carrier Central. Give FreightXO and the carrier every Shipment ID, Amazon Reference ID, carton and pallet count, PRO, BOL, and destination detail early enough to request the appointment.
Verification basis
Official sources and operating notes.
Reviewed August 13, 2026. Amazon requirements and carrier availability can change by marketplace, account, product, origin, program, and fulfillment centre. Seller Central and the active shipment workflow control where they differ from a general guide.
Current public overview of unit barcodes, label placement, product prep, and shipping-box preparation.
Manufacturer-barcode eligibility for qualifying brand representatives and Amazon-barcode requirements for resellers.
Pallet construction, carton visibility, weight, height, shipment, and freight preparation requirements.
Unique carton labels, flat placement, uncovered barcodes, and four pallet labels.
Importer, customs, duties, taxes, and cross-border setup guidance for the destination market.
Official customs valuation framework used to correct the common retail-price versus cost misconception.
Carrier availability or appointment evidence. Confirm current shipment-specific eligibility in Seller Central.
Seller Central may present current Amazon partnered carrier choices and estimated pickup dates for eligible U.S. shipments.
Educational limitation: This guide is general shipping and customs information. It is not legal, tax, tariff-classification, product-compliance, customs-broker, Amazon-account, or guaranteed carrier-acceptance advice.
Ready to plan the inbound shipment?
Send FreightXO the FBA destination and shipment references.
Share the origin, assigned fulfillment centre, mode, carton or pallet data, Amazon Reference IDs, FBA Shipment IDs, commodity, ready date, and customs status. FreightXO can review available courier or freight options and coordinate the carrier handoff.