How to Start a Box Truck Business with Amazon?

Box truck owners may start a business with Amazon by moving freight for them through the Amazon Flex and Amazon Relay programs.

However, they don't work with anybody who want to make money with their box truck.

Amazon has strict requirements for trucks and drivers that they choose to work with.

Check out below the simple process of starting a box truck business with Amazon and what requirements they have for box trucks.

Applying for Amazon

Amazon offers carriers and owner-operators three options for doing business with them. These are Flex, DSP and Amazon Relay Freight Partner programs.

The first step is reading through these Amazon programs and understanding which one suits you best.

The next step is to sign up for the chosen program.

The sign-up steps are simple and intuitive.

Fill up the application form.

After that you should get a confirmation code in your email, and you will be all set to pick up loads.

Starting a box truck business with Amazon requirements

To qualify as an Amazon carrier, you need to meet at least the following qualifications:

1. Amazon's basic requirements

An active DOT identification number and MC number (operating authority) with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Carrier entity type that is Authorized for Property and for Hire.
Safety rating of “Satisfactory,” “None,” or “Not Rated” from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Satisfactory insurance policies in place.

2. Required insurance policies should include:

commercial general liability- should be not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence.
auto liability - should be not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence.
trailer replacement - should be of $50,000.
cargo coverage - should be at least $100,000.
workers’ comp insurance in all jurisdictions where your company operates.
employer liability - should not less than $100,000 per occurrence.

3. The Amazon vehicle requirements

The truck floor should withstand a pallet jack fully laden.
The truck floor has to be well-maintained, safe, and free from damages.
The truck must be watertight, clean, and free of strong odors. This is especially important when moving food and healthcare products.
When not in use, straps must be firmly fixed to the vehicle, so they don't damage the load and don't hinge accessibility to the goods while unloading.
The use of trailers with uneven or corrugated floors (such as in refrigerated trailers) is not allowed.
Note that any trailer, truck, shipment, or portion of a shipment is subject to refusal at the fulfillment center if the fulfillment center associates are unable to safely unload the product with no additional cost to Amazon.

4. Amazon requires a safe driving record

Amazon is hesitant to work with carriers that have poor safety scores according to the FMCSA’s Safety Measurement System (SMS).

The current standard Amazon is enforcing is suspending carriers from the Amazon Relay Load board if their Company BASIC Score (SMS score) is over 60%.

Safety Metric**	Description	Required Score
Unsafe Driving Percentile	Your company’s raw BASIC score for Unsafe Driving as determined by the FMCSA	Below 60%
HOS Compliance Percentile	Your company’s raw BASIC score for HOS Compliance as determined by the FMCSA	Below 60%
Vehicle Maintenance Percentile	Your company’s raw BASIC score for Vehicle Maintenance as determined by the FMCSA.	Below 75%

You must not exceed any of these targets to be eligible to haul loads in the future.

Suspension will remain in effect until your company resolves this matter.

5. Amazon's vehicle requirement

Box truck driver

Box trucks are for local deliveries and, as such, only require a Class B CDL.

However, the current shortage of Amazon drivers almost ensures that you can get full-time hours with a Class B.

If you are a box truck driver or carrier, you can register with Amazon Relay as a contractor.

With Amazon Relay, you get access to Amazon’s logistics network where the system (Relay) can automatically book loads for you based on your needs.

The size of your box truck will need to be 24 to 26 feet (seven to eight meters) long.

Using a delivery van

If you want to drive the blue Amazon delivery vans, you’ll need to work for an Amazon DSP.

DSP drivers deliver packages from Amazon delivery stations to customers in a given geographical location.

Just like driving Amazon branded semis, you will not be working for Amazon directly but for a contractor.

Amazon is always on the lookout for new DSPs, so check your area to see if your company qualifies.

If you want to learn more about these requirements, check out Amazon Relay’s FAQ page here.