When you send inventory into Amazon FBA from Miami, you generally choose between Small Parcel Delivery (SPD) — individual boxes moving through a parcel carrier — and Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) — palletized freight moving on a truck. The right choice depends on how many units you are sending, how they are packed, and how fast you need them checked in. Getting it wrong means higher cost or slower FBA receiving.
SPD: box-by-box simplicity
With SPD, each carton is labeled and shipped individually through Amazon’s partnered or your own parcel carrier. It is simple, needs no pallets, and works well for smaller replenishments — a handful of boxes at a time. The trade-off is that per-unit cost rises as box count grows, and large SPD shipments can be slower to receive because Amazon scans each carton.
LTL: palletized volume
LTL consolidates your cartons onto pallets that ship as freight. Once you are sending enough boxes to fill a pallet or more, LTL usually beats SPD on cost per unit and can streamline check-in because Amazon receives palletized freight efficiently. LTL requires correct pallet building, FBA pallet labels, and a carrier appointment at the fulfillment center. See our guide to choosing a 3PL for Amazon FBA prep in Miami.
How to choose
- Choose SPD for small, frequent replenishments — roughly a few boxes up to a partial pallet.
- Choose LTL once you are shipping full pallets, when per-unit savings and faster palletized receiving matter.
- Watch prep compliance: either way, correct labeling, poly-bagging, and carton limits keep Amazon from refusing the shipment.
Why prep in Miami helps
Doing FBA prep near PortMiami lets importers move from container to compliant FBA cartons or pallets without shipping inventory across the country first. A South Florida 3PL can receive your import, prep to Amazon’s requirements, and ship SPD or LTL to the right fulfillment center. Go Freight combines import handling, FBA prep, and LTL freight — explore our 3PL warehouse and LTL freight services.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between SPD and LTL for Amazon FBA?
SPD ships individual labeled boxes through a parcel carrier, which suits small replenishments. LTL ships cartons palletized as freight, which is usually cheaper per unit and faster to receive once you are sending full pallets.
When should I switch from SPD to LTL?
Switch to LTL once your shipment fills a pallet or more, because palletized freight typically lowers per-unit cost and speeds Amazon’s palletized check-in compared with scanning many individual cartons.
Can I prep FBA inventory in Miami before shipping?
Yes. A South Florida 3PL can receive your import near PortMiami, prep cartons or pallets to Amazon’s requirements, and ship SPD or LTL to the correct fulfillment center, avoiding an extra cross-country move.
Sending FBA inventory from South Florida? Get a free quote or call (786) 445-0150.