LTL Shipping Directly to Customers (FBM) (Amazon-Integrated Carriers)
We are interested in shipping LTL directly to customers but would like to confirm which of the Amazon-integrated carriers available in the Shipment Confirmation drop down list ALSO include integration for LTL shipments. For context, we have used Estes LTL in the past and though Estes is listed as an Amazon-integrated carrier, the LTL tracking ID we input is not recognized by Amazon as valid which causes VTR performance to be penalized. It appears that only Estes' small-parcel tracking system is integrated with Amazon.
We understand the challenges related to shipping LTL directly to customers but are seeking insight into which LTL carriers (from the Amazon-integrated carrier list) will not have VTR penalized for LTL tracking information.
LTL Shipping Directly to Customers (FBM) (Amazon-Integrated Carriers)
We are interested in shipping LTL directly to customers but would like to confirm which of the Amazon-integrated carriers available in the Shipment Confirmation drop down list ALSO include integration for LTL shipments. For context, we have used Estes LTL in the past and though Estes is listed as an Amazon-integrated carrier, the LTL tracking ID we input is not recognized by Amazon as valid which causes VTR performance to be penalized. It appears that only Estes' small-parcel tracking system is integrated with Amazon.
We understand the challenges related to shipping LTL directly to customers but are seeking insight into which LTL carriers (from the Amazon-integrated carrier list) will not have VTR penalized for LTL tracking information.
1 reply
Seller_i6S8knzW6zU6Z
Hi @Seller_sW9lZCr6DcAd0,
I understand your concern about LTL tracking numbers affecting VTR performance. The good news is that certain LTL carriers are actually exempt from VTR calculations.
You can find the complete list of exempt carriers in the "Exemptions from VTR calculation" section at Valid tracking rate (VTR). These carriers' LTL shipments won't impact your VTR performance at all.
For LTL shipments, you'll want to provide a freight progressive number (PRO) instead of a standard tracking number. This is mentioned in the carrier requirements help page at Carrier and tracking information requirements.
One thing to watch out for: if a carrier is integrated with Amazon but you enter it manually in the "Other" field instead of selecting it from the dropdown, the tracking will be marked as invalid. This is noted in the "Which carriers are Amazon-integrated?" section of the VTR help page.
This likely explains what you're experiencing with Estes - since they're not on the exempted carriers list, their LTL tracking numbers are being evaluated against the standard VTR requirements, even though they appear in the integrated carriers dropdown.
Hope this helps clarify the LTL carrier situation! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best regards, Michael
