Amazon Relay is an essential part of Amazon’s transportation network, providing opportunities for trucking companies and owner-operators to partner with Amazon to transport goods across the country. The Amazon Relay platform helps connect carriers with Amazon loads, streamlining the process of booking, tracking, and completing deliveries.
To qualify for Relay, carriers must meet specific eligibility requirements. These requirements range from the condition of their trucks to their legal and insurance status. Understanding the steps and qualifications required can be crucial to starting Amazon, whether you’re a solo owner-operator or managing a fleet of trucks.
Understanding Amazon Relay
Amazon Relay is a platform that allows carriers to transport Amazon freight. It offers a variety of transportation services, including moving freight via trucks, vans, and box trucks. As a carrier, you gain access to Amazon’s vast network of deliveries, which can offer a steady stream of work and the possibility to grow your logistics business.
To get started, Amazon requires that carriers meet specific standards that ensure safety, reliability, and efficiency. These standards cover various aspects, including business credentials, equipment, safety records, and insurance.
Business Requirements
Before applying for Amazon Relay, you need to make sure your business meets Amazon’s eligibility criteria. Amazon prioritizes carriers that have a legitimate, registered business with the appropriate legal and regulatory compliance.
Business Registration
Your company must be legally registered with the appropriate local, state, or federal agencies. In the U.S., this typically means you must have an official business license and registration with the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) if you’re operating a commercial vehicle. Having an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS is also necessary for tax purposes.
DOT Number and Motor Carrier Authority
Carriers need to have an active Department of Transportation (DOT) number. The DOT number identifies the carrier in the transportation industry and ensures compliance with federal regulations. If you operate a truck that weighs over 10,000 lbs., you need a DOT number.
Additionally, carriers need a valid Motor Carrier Authority (MC Number) from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This is a unique identifier that grants permission for businesses to transport goods interstate.
Fleet Management and Size
Though Relay is open to individual owner-operators, larger carriers with fleets of trucks are also eligible. Depending on the number of trucks you operate, you may need to ensure you have the appropriate infrastructure to manage your fleet. While Amazon doesn’t require you to have a specific fleet size, having a well-maintained set of vehicles can make you more attractive as a partner.
Truck and Equipment Requirements
The quality and condition of the truck and equipment you use are essential for gaining access. It’s important to ensure that your truck meets Amazon’s standards to avoid delays or rejections.
Truck Type
Relay typically requires carriers to have trucks with a minimum capacity of 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) or more. For carriers using smaller vehicles like vans or box trucks, Amazon offers specific opportunities, but larger trucks, such as those used for long-haul trucking, are more commonly needed for larger Amazon loads.
Condition of Trucks
The condition of your truck is crucial. Amazon requires carriers to operate vehicles in good working order. Trucks should meet the required safety standards and must pass regular maintenance checks. This ensures that there is no risk of breakdowns or delays in delivering Amazon’s goods.
Tracking Technology and Telematics
Amazon requires trucks to have GPS tracking and telematics systems in place. These systems allow Amazon to monitor the progress of deliveries in real time, ensuring visibility and accountability throughout the supply chain. The use of Relay’s app is also a key requirement, as it helps with job management, load assignments, and GPS tracking.
Insurance and Liability Requirements
Insurance is one of the most important factors when qualifying for Amazon. Amazon requires that carriers maintain appropriate levels of insurance for their trucks, ensuring that both the carrier and Amazon are protected in the event of an accident or incident.
Commercial Auto Liability Insurance
All carriers working with Relay must maintain commercial auto liability insurance with a minimum coverage amount of $1 million per occurrence. This coverage helps protect against damage to third parties resulting from accidents during the transport of goods.
Cargo Insurance
In addition to auto liability insurance, carriers must also carry cargo insurance. Cargo insurance protects Amazon’s freight from damage or loss while in transit. The minimum required coverage is $100,000.
Other Required Insurance Types
Depending on the scope of your operation, you may also be required to maintain other types of insurance, including physical damage insurance for your vehicles, general liability insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance for employees.
Safety and Compliance Standards
Amazon is committed to maintaining high safety and compliance standards for its transportation network. To qualify for Amazon, your business must meet various safety and compliance requirements.
FMCSA Safety Rating
Carriers must have a satisfactory or higher safety rating from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA safety rating is an essential measure of a carrier’s ability to comply with federal safety regulations, including maintaining vehicles in proper working condition, ensuring driver qualifications, and complying with hours-of-service regulations.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Carriers must comply with FMCSA’s drug and alcohol testing program. Drivers must undergo regular drug and alcohol screenings, especially for those who drive commercially. Failure to comply with these testing requirements can result in disqualification from the platform.
Conclusion
Qualifying for Amazon Relay requires a combination of business credentials, truck and equipment readiness, insurance compliance, safety standards, and the ability to use Amazon’s technology platform. By ensuring your business meets these requirements.
You can unlock a range of opportunities to transport Amazon’s goods, whether you’re an individual owner-operator or part of a larger fleet. With the right preparations, Relay can be a lucrative and efficient way to expand your business and access consistent work in the fast-paced logistics industry.
