Amazon's Partnered Carrier programme gives FBA sellers access to discounted shipping rates for sending stock to fulfilment centres. For many UK sellers, it is the cheapest and most convenient way to get inventory into Amazon's network.
What Is the Partnered Carrier Programme?
When you create a shipping plan in Seller Central and choose to ship via Amazon's partnered carrier, Amazon negotiates rates with carriers on your behalf. You get access to shipping prices that are typically lower than what you could negotiate individually, because Amazon leverages its massive shipping volume for bulk discounts.
In the UK, the partnered carrier for small parcel deliveries is usually UPS or a similar national carrier. For pallet deliveries, Amazon works with specialist pallet networks. The specific carrier may vary by region and volume.
How to Use It
When creating your FBA shipping plan in Seller Central, you will reach a step where you choose your shipping method. Select "Amazon Partnered Carrier" and follow the prompts. You will enter your box dimensions and weights, and Amazon will calculate the shipping cost.
You can then print the shipping labels directly from Seller Central, attach them to your boxes, and arrange collection. For small parcel shipments, you can schedule a collection from your address. For pallets, you will arrange a pallet collection through the process Amazon provides.
Cost Comparison
Partnered Carrier rates are generally competitive with or cheaper than most alternative shipping options for FBA-bound stock. A small parcel shipment that might cost £8–£12 with a retail courier could be £4–£7 through the Partnered Carrier programme.
For pallet deliveries, the savings can be even more significant. Amazon's partnered pallet rates are typically well below market rates for equivalent services.
The shipping charges are deducted from your Amazon seller account, so you do not need to pay upfront — it comes out of your sales proceeds.
When to Use Alternatives
The Partnered Carrier is not always the cheapest option. If you are sending a single small box, Royal Mail or a budget courier might be cheaper. If you are sending large volumes regularly, negotiated rates with a commercial courier could beat Amazon's rates.
Compare rates for your typical shipment size and volume. Many sellers use the Partnered Carrier for most shipments and switch to alternatives for specific situations where cheaper options exist.
Tips for Using Partnered Carrier
Accurate box dimensions and weights are essential — Amazon uses these to calculate rates and plan receiving capacity. Overestimating or underestimating leads to issues. Weigh and measure each box before entering the details.
Book collections promptly. During busy periods (especially Q4), carrier collection slots fill up faster. The sooner you book, the sooner your stock reaches the fulfilment centre.
Keep your collection address updated in your shipping settings. If you use a prep centre like Precision, ensure the collection address is set to the prep centre — not your home address.