When you’re preparing your first FBA shipment, clarity on logistics is essential. A common point of confusion for new sellers is whether Amazon will pick up inventory from their location or if they need to deliver it to a carrier facility themselves.
How FBA Shipment Appointments Work
- Scheduled pickups: When you create an FBA shipment plan in Seller Central and request a pickup appointment, Amazon typically arranges for a carrier (UPS, FedEx, or another logistics partner) to collect your packages from your specified address.
- Carrier arrives at your location: If you’ve selected a home or business address as the pickup point, the carrier’s driver will arrive during your scheduled appointment window and collect the packaged inventory.
- Your role: Have your packages ready, labeled with the shipment ID and unit counts clearly marked. The driver will scan barcodes and collect the goods — you don’t need to take them anywhere.
- Alternative: Drop-off locations: Some sellers prefer to drop off at a carrier facility themselves if pickup isn’t available or convenient. Check your appointment confirmation email for which option was selected.
What to Confirm Before Your Appointment
- Review your FBA shipment appointment email for the specific date, time window, and carrier name.
- Ensure all boxes are clearly labeled with your shipment ID (provided in Seller Central).
- Have a count of boxes ready to provide to the driver.
- Clear access to your pickup location so the driver can reach your packages easily.
How Squatio Helps
Once your first shipment is en route, Squatio Optimize (PPC intelligence) and Prospect (Product Database) help you plan demand forecasting and advertising spend for your initial inventory — so you’re not left with excess stock sitting in the warehouse while you figure out sales velocity. Getting your logistics right the first time means you can focus on the strategy side of moving inventory profitably.
What format is your first shipment — are you sending in from home, a warehouse, or a prep center?
Source: Reddit