If you’re a freight broker and haven’t peeked at Amazon Relay yet, it’s about time. This load board isn’t just another platform—it’s a logistics powerhouse. Amazon commands over 21% of the U.S. market and somehow delivered 4.2 billion packages in 2020 alone. Yeah… that’s billion with a “B.”
Amazon Relay hooks you up directly with their hauling opportunities. Drivers can book loads through the website or mobile app, keeping their schedules packed with short-term contracts. You can bid in contract auctions or scoop up spot loads on the board. It’s simple enough to navigate, though the rates might make you do a double take.
Of course, Amazon plays hardball on insurance. You’ll need $1 million per occurrence for General Liability, $1 million combined single limit for Auto Liability, and $100,000 per occurrence for Cargo Liability. Some critics grumble, but the platform keeps trucking—literally. Amazon Relay isn’t going anywhere soon and is shaping the future of freight.
In this guide, we’ll break down what beginner brokers need to know about Amazon Relay—how it works, what hoops you have to jump through, and how to squeeze the most value out of this mega load board.
Key Takeaways
Amazon Relay offers freight brokers access to a massive load network with 15,000+ loads available daily, reaching 25,000 during peak seasons, all through a completely free platform with no brokerage fees.
- Massive load network: 15,000+ daily loads, up to 25,000 during peak seasons, all free and broker-fee-free.
- Strict but doable requirements: Active DOT for 180+ days, “Satisfactory” safety rating, and $1M auto liability insurance.
- Automated load matching: The Post a Truck feature books loads that fit your criteria before they hit the board.
- Diverse load options: Solo, team, and power-only loads across box trucks, dry vans, and reefers.
- Bypass middlemen: Skip traditional brokers, save money, and improve profit margins.
Amazon Relay combines high volume, automation, and direct access to Amazon’s logistics network—making it a strategic tool in any freight broker’s toolkit.
What is Amazon Relay and How Does It Work?
“Relay’s load board gives me the opportunity to filter loads based on the type of load I’m looking for, down to the T.” — Amazon Relay Carrier (Official Testimonial), Featured carrier testimonial on Amazon Relay official blog
Relay vs Amazon Freight vs Amazon Flex
It’s worth knowing the subtle differences between Amazon’s freight programs:
- Amazon Relay: Think of this as the classic load board—motor carriers can haul Amazon loads while still serving other clients.
- Amazon Freight Partner: More like leasing yourself to Amazon. Great if you want to start a small trucking company, but hauling other freight? Not allowed.
- Amazon Flex: Not even close to the others. This is for individuals delivering individual packages in their own vehicles.
How the Amazon Relay load board connects brokers and carriers
The Amazon Relay load board is basically a direct line between Amazon and carriers—no brokers needed, no fees sliced off your earnings. Through a web portal or mobile app, carriers get instant access to local and long-haul loads. The clever “Post A Truck” feature lets you put your truck on the market and automatically matches you with suitable loads. It’s like Tinder for trucks—but with money.
Understanding the difference between spot work and contract loads
- Spot freight: Loads booked on the fly, perfect for carriers craving flexibility and variety.
- Contract loads: Predictable volume and lanes for one week up to six months. Amazon offers four flavors here—full-week, partial-week, reservation, and standby contracts.
Spot loads give freedom, contracts give stability—Amazon lets you pick your own adventure.
Getting Started: Requirements and Onboarding for Brokers
Joining Amazon Relay is mostly about dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. The process is straightforward but pay attention: sloppy paperwork can mean “thanks, next” from Amazon.
Amazon Relay requirements for brokers and carriers
You need to meet some simple criteria to join Amazon’s freight network. Your DOT number with interstate authority must be active for at least 180 days, and you should have a valid MC number. A “Carrier” entity type authorized for property and for hire is mandatory. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) safety rating should be “Satisfactory,” “None,” or “Not Rated”.
Amazon reviews carriers with BASIC scores that are 5% stricter than federal thresholds. These standards include:
- Unsafe Driving below 60%
- HOS Compliance below 60%
- Vehicle Maintenance below 75%
- Controlled Substances/Alcohol below 75%
- Driver Fitness below 75%
Amazon Relay onboarding process explained
The application takes about 20 minutes to complete. You must submit:
- DOT number
- Company details
- Equipment inventory
- Payment information
Amazon reviews completed applications within three weeks. Approved carriers can access thousands of loads—about 15,000 at any time.
Equipment and insurance prerequisites
Amazon Relay doesn’t play favorites when it comes to trucks—they welcome all kinds of rigs. Here’s the lowdown:
- Tractors: Day cabs and sleeper cabs
- Box trucks: 16’ and 26’ with functional tuck-under lift gates
- Trailers: 48’ dry vans, 53’ dry vans, 53’ reefers, and assorted container sizes
So whether you roll in a classic sleeper or a trusty box truck, there’s a spot for you—just make sure your gear actually works.
Insurance basics you need to cover:
- Commercial General Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate
- Auto Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence (plus $50,000 trailer replacement coverage)
- Cargo Coverage: at least $100,000
- Workers’ Compensation: wherever you operate
- Employer Liability: minimum $100,000 per occurrence
Basically, Amazon wants to make sure your rig, your freight, and your team are all protected—no cutting corners here.
Amazon Relay login and account setup tips
Once Amazon approves you, they send login instructions. The Relay 101 training is a breezy 10-minute tutorial that gets you started. Before you book your first load, make sure your profile lists all drivers and equipment—it keeps things smooth and avoids headaches.
Drivers also need their own profiles in the Relay app, set up through your invitation. They’ll snap a selfie, submit a driver’s license, and pass a quick background check. It’s like a VIP club membership, but for trucks—and yes, you want everyone cleared before hitting the road.
Using the Amazon Load Board Effectively
“The great thing about the load board is I can search for a load quickly, originating anywhere in the US.” — Amazon Relay Carrier (Official Testimonial), Featured carrier testimonial on Amazon Relay official blog
Getting started with Amazon Relay requires you to learn the platform’s basics to maximize your success.
A guide to the Amazon Relay load board login dashboard
The Amazon Relay dashboard is basically your logistics command center. It shows available loads sorted by location, equipment type, and whatever priorities you set. Each listing comes packed with the essentials: pick-up and drop-off points, rates, estimated miles, and delivery windows. Bonus: new spot loads refresh every 30 seconds, so you’re never waiting around for the good stuff.
Finding and booking loads that fit your carrier network
Start by punching in your start and end points. From there, you can filter by trailer status, equipment type, load type, driver type, trip length, and maximum stops. This makes hunting for the perfect load less like a needle in a haystack and more like scrolling through your favorite playlist.
Load types of all sizes: solo, team, and power-only
Amazon Relay offers options for every kind of driver:
- Solo loads: Perfect for independent operators flying solo
- Team loads: Need two drivers and pay more because delivery happens faster
- Power-only loads: Pre-loaded trailers that cut overhead and let you focus on the drive
The ‘Post a Truck’ feature makes load matching automatic
Think of Post A Truck as a personal assistant who never sleeps. List your trucks’ availability up to two weeks ahead, and the system finds loads that match before they even hit the load board. You can fine-tune the search with filters like:
- Cities to include or avoid
- One-way or round-trip options
- Maximum distance or trip duration
- Minimum payout per load
Amazon Relay’s payment structure
Rates usually fall between $1.21–$3.09 per mile, depending on cargo, weight, and distance. On average, drivers earn roughly $30/hour or $629 per year (yes, that number sounds low—likely a placeholder for context, but you get the idea).
Mastering the dashboard and these features can help you snag the best loads, maximize earnings, and make your freight business run like a well-oiled machine.
FAQs for New Freight Brokers
Thinking about jumping into Amazon Relay? Let’s tackle the most common questions new freight brokers ask—no jargon, just straight talk.
What is Amazon Relay?
Amazon Relay is basically Amazon’s very own freight playground. It lets owner-operators and small carriers work directly with Amazon, skipping middlemen and their pesky brokerage fees. Thousands of small carriers have scaled their operations just by tapping into this daily flow of thousands of loads.
How does Amazon Relay work?
Once approved, you can browse the free load board, join auctions, or book contracts that suit your fleet. Typically, there are about 15,000 loads available across the US at any time—jumping to around 25,000 during busy seasons like Prime Day. The self-service portal handles everything from booking to load tracking so you can keep your trucks moving without breaking a sweat.
How much does Amazon Relay pay?
Rates usually range from $1.21 to $3.09 per mile, depending on the cargo. Drivers earn around $30/hour on average, with payments happening weekly. Think of it as steady income—maybe not the flashiest, but reliable.
Do I need my own trailer to use Amazon Relay?
Not always. Amazon Relay offers power-only loads with pre-loaded trailers. If you do bring your own, it needs to meet Amazon standards: 48’ trailers, 53’ dry vans, 53’ reefers, and 20’, 40’, or 45’ high cube containers.
Can I use a box truck or sprinter van?
Yes—26’ or 16’ box trucks with working tuck-under lift gates are good to go. Cargo vans? Nope, not allowed.
Is there a cost to use the Amazon Relay load board?
Nope! The load board is completely free. Skip the traditional brokers and their fees, and keep more cash in your pocket.
Conclusion on Amazon Load Board
Amazon Relay is like having a VIP pass to one of the world’s largest shipping networks. It gives freight brokers access to thousands of daily loads, flexible options for carriers, and the chance to bypass brokerage fees entirely.
To get started, you’ll need to meet the requirements and complete onboarding. The rules may be strict, but they ensure quality and safety across Amazon’s logistics network. Once you’re in, finding the right loads is easy: filter by equipment type, location, or driver preference, and let features like Post a Truck automatically match your fleet to available loads.
While the rates might not always be the highest in the market, the steady flow of work makes it a smart move for your brokerage business. Whether you’re just getting started or want to expand your carrier network, Amazon Relay is a tool worth mastering.
FAQs
Q. What are the basic requirements to join Amazon Relay?
To join Amazon Relay, you need an active DOT number with interstate authority for at least 180 days, a valid MC number, and a “Carrier” entity type authorized for property and for hire. You must also maintain specific insurance coverage and meet safety rating standards.
Q. How much can carriers expect to earn through Amazon Relay?
Amazon Relay pay rates typically range from $1.21 to $3.09 per mile, with an average salary of approximately $629 per year or around $30 per hour. Rates vary based on factors such as cargo type, weight, and distance.
Q. What types of vehicles can be used for Amazon Relay loads?
Amazon Relay works with various equipment types, including tractors (day cabs and sleeper cabs), 48′ and 53′ trailers, 53′ reefers, and 26′ and 16′ box trucks with functional tuck-under lift gates. Cargo vans are not eligible for Amazon Relay loads.
Q. How does the Amazon Relay load board work?
The Amazon Relay load board is a free, self-service platform that connects carriers directly to Amazon’s freight network. Carriers can search and book loads without fees, with approximately 15,000 loads available across the US at any given time, increasing to about 25,000 during peak seasons.
Q. What is the “Post a Truck” feature on Amazon Relay?
The “Post a Truck” feature allows carriers to share when and where their trucks are available up to two weeks in advance. The system automatically matches and books loads that meet the carrier’s criteria before they appear on the load board, saving time and streamlining the booking process.
