Organizations have a habit of developing their own unique terminology related to their work. It’s largely a result of the creation of new processes and a desire to simplify complexity and streamline communications. However, it can be difficult to stay ahead of it all.

At Amazon Freight, we have a few particular terms of our own. For those shipping inbound to the Amazon network, knowing what they are, their abbreviated acronyms, and why they are important helps smooth out your shipping experience. Here are the top terms all shippers should know when using Amazon Freight to get their goods inbound to Amazon.

1. When scheduling shipments
Fulfillment Centers, or FCs, are one of the most critical links in the Amazon network. They are the first node in the inbound flow and a constant flurry of activity (that you can actually witness). They process goods inbound to Amazon and then kick off redistribution to our delivery centers for final delivery. An FC’s ability to send products to the right delivery center at the right time is crucial to meet speed of delivery commitments and customer promises.

Since FCs see significant volumes, inbound inventory must flow into them seamlessly. To help do that, we have the Inbound Scheduled Appointment, also called an ISA. When a carrier creates an inbound shipment to an FC, they receive an ISA. This gives all the details of your pickup and drop off dates and times.

ISAs might sound like a peculiar part of the process, but they are essential in keeping the Amazon network running. Amazon uses ISAs to view what trailers are incoming, manage inventory, and schedule labor. That means, accurate carton and unit counts are needed so the FC can be ready to accept and process your products.

2. When you’re managing paperwork
The other common term you’ll come across is your Amazon Reference ID. This is a code that you can simply think of as a PO. The Amazon Reference ID is an essential part of the ISA, and you’ll want to keep track of it (and all your other IDs) because you’ll need it throughout the shipment’s journey. It is used by the FC to connect an ISA with the shipment plan created on Seller Central.

Having the exact details about a load allows locations to plan labor, which helps prevent fulfillment center backlogs. These occur when facilities receive more than they can process within a certain amount of time. Other causes include missed delivery windows or weather delays.

3. When your shipment is on the road
There are several different ways freight can move through the Amazon network. Sometimes, it goes directly from Point A to Point B. Other times, it makes stops along the way. It’s all in an effort to optimize the network and find efficiencies.

Within the network, loads that move directly from Point A to Point B with no other stops are referred to as straight through. Those that move from Point A to Point B with a stop or two between are referred to as flexible transit (FLEXI).

Flexible transit often uses trailer handoffs (THO), which is how Amazon refers to a pre-loaded trailer that is dropped at a location by one driver and then picked up by another driver. You may have also heard this referred to in the industry as a drop-and-hook load.

4. When you need help
If you need any help along the way, you can tap into Amazon Freight’s Shipper Support or Operations teams.

Shipper support agents assist with scheduling, billing, and your overall account with Amazon Freight. You can contact Shipper Support in the Relay Mobile app under “Help.” The Operations team is on hand 24/7/365 to help when your loads are on the road and respond to disruptions. You can contact Operations by selecting “Contact Support” when logged into your account.

Digging deeper
Learning the ins and outs of Amazon Freight’s terminology is pretty straightforward – it just takes a little time to make sense of it. If you’re ready to get shipping today, create your Amazon Freight account and start quoting loads immediately. You can tap into our more than 60,000 dry vans and the safe and reliable Amazon network.