Finding the Right Freight Forwarder for Your FBA Business
Your freight forwarder can make or break your Amazon business. Here's how to evaluate and choose the right partner.
Must-Have Qualifications
- Licensed and bonded — Verify FMCSA/FMC licensing
- FBA experience — Handles Amazon shipments regularly
- Carrier Central access — Can book FC appointments
- Customs brokerage — Can clear imports (or has a partner who can)
- Insurance — Adequate cargo and liability coverage
Questions to Ask
- "How many FBA shipments do you handle per month?"
- "Do you have Carrier Central access for appointments?"
- "Can you handle both LTL and FTL to Amazon?"
- "What's your process for shipment reconciliation issues?"
- "Do you provide signed BOLs for every delivery?"
- "Can you coordinate with prep centers?"
Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | Weight | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| FBA experience | 25% | Volume of FBA shipments handled |
| Pricing | 20% | Competitive, transparent quotes |
| Communication | 20% | Responsive, proactive updates |
| Technology | 15% | Tracking, documentation portal |
| Coverage | 10% | Can reach all Amazon FCs |
| Claims handling | 10% | Process for discrepancies |
Red Flags
- No FBA shipping experience
- Can't explain Amazon's appointment process
- No tracking or visibility tools
- Prices too good to be true (may cut corners)
- No insurance or won't provide certificates
- Unresponsive during quoting process
Why Indray for FBA Logistics
Indray Inc handles 100+ FBA shipments per week with:
- Dedicated FBA logistics team
- Carrier Central appointment management
- Full documentation (signed BOLs, photos)
- Competitive FTL and LTL rates
- 11 years of freight experience
