We realize that not every seller has experience with LTL (Less Than Truckload), and the process can be confusing even for those who do. To help, we've put together information on creating LTL shipments in InventoryLab and several articles from Seller Central that explain the process in detail.
Completing LTL Shipments in InventoryLab
Creating a Batch for LTL
You can list a pallet shipment by adding the items you want to ship, as you normally would, to a Private batch. You'll also have the options to:
- Add items to the batch in bulk by using Buy Lists
- Upload a file using the Send to Amazon feature to create shipments in Seller Central instead of creating them in InventoryLab
Warehouse Destinations
As always, Amazon will determine which fulfillment centers your items will go to. InventoryLab has no control over the destinations for the items, regardless of your shipping method (SPD or LTL.) For more information, please see- Shipments Getting Split Into Multiple Destinations
To help prevent items from being split between multiple destinations, you can turn on Amazon's Inventory Placement Service. InventoryLab will automatically pick up this setting from Seller Central if turned on in your account.
Box Content
For LTL, your items still need to be put into boxes, and then you combine those individual boxes onto pallets for delivery. Because of this, Amazon still requires you to provide box content information for LTL shipments. Just like with SPD shipments, not providing box-level content information will result in a manual processing fee from Amazon.
When creating a batch in InventoryLab, you can turn On InventoryLab's Box Content feature, which has options to send the information to Amazon by sending feeds through Selling Partner API (SP-API), or you can generate 2D barcode labels.
Or, if you prefer the Send to Amazon interface for box content, you can keep this feature Off and enter it in Seller Central.
For information on the different Box Content options available when creating a batch, please see- Box Content Options & Settings
The process of entering box-level information using InventoryLab's Box Content feature is the same for LTL and SPD shipments. With that being said, if you find that many of your boxes will be the same, using the Copy Box function or the other bulk assign tools available may help speed up this process.
For more information, please see- Box Content - Assign/Remove Items in Bulk
Completing LTL Shipments in InventoryLab
After creating shipments in InventoryLab and entering box content information (if Box Content is turned On for the batch), you will choose how to complete the shipment in InventoryLab- either LTL: Partnered Carrier or LTL Non-Partnered Carrier.
LTL: Partnered Carrier
With this option, you can enter the weight/dimensions for the boxes, assign items to pallets, purchase shipping, and print your box and pallet labels without ever leaving InventoryLab.
First, you will be prompted to enter the Shipment Ready Date, Contact information, and Shipment Info.
Then, you'll move to a page where you enter the weight/dimensions for the boxes and pallet details.
Finally, you'll estimate and accept the shipping charge and print your box and pallet labels.
Once Amazon makes it available, you can request the BOL from within InventoryLab, too. Or, fill out a blank one.
For information on how to apply labels to your boxes and pallets, please refer to Amazon's guidelines- Shipment label requirements
LTL: Non-Partnered Carrier
With this option, you can enter details for the non-partnered carrier and print your box labels without ever needing to go to Seller Central.
After purchasing shipping from a non-partnered carrier, you will select your carrier of choice and enter the PRO Number provided by them.
Then, print your box labels.
Your pallet labels will also be printed.
The BOL will be provided by your carrier.
For information on how to apply labels to your boxes and pallets, please refer to Amazon's guidelines- Shipment label requirements
Resources
For full steps on completing LTL shipments in InventoryLab, please check the following articles:
For Amazon's LTL guidelines, please see:
0 comments
Article is closed for comments.